Ulcerative colitis is a digestive disorder that causes ulcers in the lining of your rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon. Inflammation of your colon can also cause your colon to empty more frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease.
Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age. However, the disease commonly starts between the ages of 15 and 30. Experts say that ulcerative colitis tend to run in families.
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. If you have ulcerative colitis, you may have pain in your abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Children with the condition may have growth problems.
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the condition. Your doctor may recommend drugs to help manage your ulcerative colitis. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms.
If you have severe symptoms from the disease, your doctor may recommend removing your colon.
Suggested Readings:
Sources:
Ulcerative Colitis. National Digestive Information Clearinghouse. Available at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/. Accessed on December 16, 2010
Ulcerative Colitis. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html>. Accessed on December 16, 2010
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Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age. However, the disease commonly starts between the ages of 15 and 30. Experts say that ulcerative colitis tend to run in families.
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. If you have ulcerative colitis, you may have pain in your abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Children with the condition may have growth problems.
- More on Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the condition. Your doctor may recommend drugs to help manage your ulcerative colitis. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms.
If you have severe symptoms from the disease, your doctor may recommend removing your colon.
- Learn more about Ulcerative Colitis
Suggested Readings:
Sources:
Ulcerative Colitis. National Digestive Information Clearinghouse. Available at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/. Accessed on December 16, 2010
Ulcerative Colitis. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html>. Accessed on December 16, 2010
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