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Get answers to your Ulcerative Colitis questions.

Dr. Flasar’s Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

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Ulcerative colitis - Highlights

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ulcerative colitis.

Alternative Names

Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis; Colitis - ulcerative

Highlights:

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are inflammatory bowel diseases. All inflammatory bowel diseases cause chronic inflammation in the digestive system. Ulcerative colitis occurs only in the inner lining of the large intestine, whereas Crohn's disease extends into deeper areas of the intestinal wall and can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system).

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of ulcerative colitis are unknown.

  • Genetics plays some role. Between 10 - 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have family members with the disease.
  • Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed most often in people ages 15 - 35.
  • Ulcerative colitis is more prevalent among whites than people of other races. Jewish people of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent have a higher than average risk for developing this disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis depend in part on how widespread the disease is and the severity of the inflammation. Common ulcerative symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Difficulty or pain when passing stool
  • Abdominal cramps

Prognosis

About half of patients with ulcerative have mild symptoms while another half go on to develop more severe forms of the disease. Some patients go into remission after a single attack, while others develop a chronic condition.

Treatment

There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, (aside from surgical removal of the colon), but medications and dietary measures can help suppress the inflammatory response and control symptoms. Drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis include aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs. Some patients with ulcerative colitis are not helped by drugs and require surgical treatment.

Resources

References

Baumgart DC and Sandborn WJ. Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and established and evolving therapies. Lancet. 2007;369(9573):1641-57.

Chande N, MacDonald JK and McDonald JW. Methotrexate for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD006618.

Clark M, Colombel JF, Feagan BC, Fedorak RN, Hanauer SB, Kamm MA, et al. American gastroenterological association consensus development conference on the use of biologics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, June 21-23, 2006. Gastroenterology. 2007 Jul;133(1):312-39.

Langan RC, Gotsch PB, Krafczyk MA and Skillinge DD. Ulcerative colitis: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2007; 76(9):1323-30.

Mahid SS, Minor KS, Soto RE, Hornung CA and Galandiuk S. Smoking and inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(11):1462-71.

Mallon P, McKay D, Kirk S and Gardiner K. Probiotics for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(4):CD005573.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/1/2008
  • Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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