Ulcerative Colitis Introduction - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Digestive System

Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction

Ulcerative Colitis or just, colitis, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the large intestine or bowel (colon) causing ulcers in the top layers of the large intestinal lining. It rarely affects the small intestine except for the ileum (1). The acute or chronic inflammation is caused by injury or irritation to the large intestine.(2) This inflammation can lead to:

1. Frequent emptying of the colon - causing diarrhea.
2. Ulcers that form because cells that line the colon die off.
3. Bleeding ulcers and
4. Production of mucus and pus.

The patient experiences abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, painful spasms (tenesmus), fever, lack of appetite and fatigue (1) & (2). Colitis sufferers may also experience periods of flare-ups and inactivity.

It is essentially important to understand the difference between Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, since both are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). While ulcerative colitis affects just the colon and inner lining of the intestine, Crohn’s disease affects any portion of the gastrointestinal tract and the full thickness of the bowel wall (2).

Ulcerative colitis affects 50 people in every 100,000 people irrespective of sex. It is more common in people of north European origin. Symptoms of the disease may usually start in the age range of 15 and 30 years with a some of the population experiencing the symptoms between 50 and 70 years of age.

About 5 to 10 percent people suffering from ulcerative colitis for more then 10 years develop colon cancer (2).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com