Ulcerative Colitis: MedlinePlus

Ulcerative Colitis

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html

 

Also called: Colitis, Distal colitis, Pancolitis, Ulcerative proctitis 

 

 

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon.

Ulcerative colitis can happen at any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include anemia, severe tiredness, weight loss, loss of appetite, bleeding from the rectum, sores on the skin and joint pain. Children with the disease may have growth problems.

About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Several types of drugs can help control ulcerative colitis. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms. In severe cases, doctors must remove the colon.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

main page:
Ulcerative Colitis: MedlinePlus

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Barium enema
• Bloody or tarry stools
• Colonoscopy
• Colostomy - slideshow
• ESR
• Inflammatory bowel disease - slideshow
• Large bowel resection
• Large bowel resection - slideshow
• Large bowel resection - discharge
• Low-residue fiber diet
• 
  

  Serum phosphorus Total colectomy or proctocolectomy - discharge Total proctocolectomy and ileal - anal pouch Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy Toxic megacolon Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis - discharge Virtual colonoscopy

Related Topics

• Crohn's Disease
• Digestive System

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Ulcerative Colitis is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Languages

• Arabic (العربية)
• Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文)
• French (français)
• Hindi (हिन्दी)
• Japanese (日本語)
• Korean (한국어)
• Russian (Русский)
• Somali (af Soomaali)
• Spanish (español)
• Ukrainian (Українська)

Overviews

• Living with Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/livingwithuc52010.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/ulcerative_colitis/](American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
• Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print](Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Latest News

• Endometriosis Tied to Higher Risk of Crohn'S, Colitis [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_119885.html](12/20/2011, HealthDay)
• Chronic Bowel Disease Drugs Linked to Skin Cancer Risk [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_118992.html](11/28/2011, HealthDay)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Tied to Higher Risk of Post-Op Blood Clots [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_117775.html](10/20/2011, HealthDay)
• More News on Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_u.html#ulcerativecolitis]

Diagnosis/Symptoms

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) [http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/tab/test](American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
• How IBD Is Diagnosed [http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/diagnose](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-Ray (Radiography) [http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=lowergi](American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=lowergi]
• MedlinePlus: Colonoscopy [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/colonoscopy.html](National Library of Medicine)
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/colonoscopy.html]

Treatment

• Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ileostomy/index.aspx](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Colostomy - slideshow [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100011_1.htm]
• Large bowel resection - slideshow [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100089_1.htm]
• Sulfasalazine and the 5-Aminosalicylates [http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-sulfasalazine-and-the-5-aminosalicylates?view=print](UpToDate)
• Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.ccfa.org/info/surgery/surgeryuc](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Types of Medications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease [http://www.ccfa.org/info/treatment/medications](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Understanding IBD Medications and Side Effects [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/editedmedications.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Alternative Therapy

• IBD and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/FactSheets/CAM.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Nutrition

• Diet and Nutrition [http://www.ccfa.org/info/diet?LMI=4.2](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Nutrition [http://www.gastrokids.org/files/documents/resources/IBD-NutritionInfo.pdf](North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) - PDF
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.gastrokids.org/files/documents/digestive%20topics/spanish/IBD%20&%20NUTRITION-Spanish.pdf]
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Coping

• Intimate Relationship of Sex and Inflammatory Bowel Disease [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/ibdsexuality.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Disease Management

• General Healthcare Maintenance of IBD [http://www.ccfa.org/media/pdf/FactSheets/healthmaint.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Managing Flares and Other IBD Symptoms [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/flares_brochure_web.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Specific Conditions

• Proctitis [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/proctitis/](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Related Issues

• Anal Abscess/Fistula [http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/anal_abscess_fistula/](American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
• Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea [http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea/DS00454/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print](Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Bleeding in the Digestive Tract [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/bleeding/](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Enteropathic Arthritis [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/ibd.aspx](Spondylitis Association of America)
• Intestinal Complications of IBD [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/FactSheets/intestinalcomps.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Possible Complications of IBD [http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/complications/](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/primarysclerosingcholangitis/](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Traveling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) [http://www.ccfa.org/living/travel](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• What People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Need to Know about Osteoporosis [http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/inflammatory_bowel.asp](National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Health Check Tools

• I'll Be Determined [http://www.ibdetermined.org/](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Tutorials

• Ulcerative Colitis [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ulcerativecolitis/htm/index.htm](Patient Education Institute)
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/ulcerativecolitisspanish/htm/index.htm]
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Anatomy/Physiology

• Atlas of Human Body: Digestive System [http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/digestive-system.page](American Medical Association)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Colitis, Ulcerative [http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Colitis,+Ulcerative%22](National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Colitis [http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Colitis%22](National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases [http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Inflammatory+Bowel+Diseases%22](National Institutes of Health)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Research

• Drug-Loaded Nanoparticles May Offer Precise Targeting in Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/about/ddnews/win11/3.aspx](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• New Developments in Basic IBD Research [http://www.ccfa.org/about/news/trendsinbasicresearch](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Ulcerative colitis. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22047562?tool=MedlinePlus]
• Article: Comparison of the possible risk factors of bone mineral density... [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22024784?tool=MedlinePlus]
• Article: There's a goat behind door number 3: from Monty Hall... [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21968106?tool=MedlinePlus]
• Ulcerative Colitis -- see more articles [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=colitis,ulcerative[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])+AND+%22last+1+Year%22[edat]&tool=MedlinePlus]
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Dictionaries/Glossaries

• Digestive Diseases Dictionary [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/dictionary/](National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Also available in Spanish [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/spanish/pubs/dictionary/index.aspx]
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Directories

• Find a Gastroenterologist [http://patients.gi.org/find-a-gastroenterologist/](American College of Gastroenterology)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Organizations

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons [http://www.fascrs.org/]
• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/]
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/]
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Law and Policy

• Social Security: Applying for Benefits [http://www.ccfa.org/living/disability/](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Children

• Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Guide for Parents [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/Parents_Guide%202010.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• IBD and Me Activity Book [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/activitybookweb.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (For Children) [http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/stomach/IBD.html](Nemours Foundation)
• Treating Children and Adolescents [http://www.ccfa.org/info/treatment/kidsmeds](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Teenagers

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (For Teens) [http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/digestive/ibd.html](Nemours Foundation)
• Teen Guide: Dealing with Crohn’s & Colitis [http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/teensfinal.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• UC and Crohn's: A Site for Teens [http://www.ucandcrohns.org/](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America)
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Women

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease [http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/inflammatory-bowel-disease.cfm](Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.womenshealth.gov/espanol/publicaciones/nuestras-publicaciones/hojas-datos/inflamatoria-intestinal.pdf]
• Pregnancy and IBD [http://www.ccfa.org/media/pdf/FactSheets/pregnancy.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Adults

• Managing Inflammatory Bowel Diseases as a Young Adult [http://www.ccfa.org/media/pdf/youngadultfacts.pdf](Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) - PDF
• Return to top [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html#skip]

Patient Handouts

• Barium enema [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003817.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/003817.htm]
• Colonoscopy [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003886.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/003886.htm]
• Large bowel resection [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002941.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/002941.htm]
• Large bowel resection - discharge [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000151.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000151.htm]
• Low-residue fiber diet [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000200.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000200.htm]
• Total colectomy or proctocolectomy - discharge [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000153.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000153.htm]
• Total proctocolectomy and ileal - anal pouch [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007380.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/007380.htm]
• Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007381.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/007381.htm]
• Toxic megacolon [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000248.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/000248.htm]
• Ulcerative colitis [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000250.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/000250.htm]
• Ulcerative colitis - discharge [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000203.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000203.htm]
• Virtual colonoscopy [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007253.htm]
• Also available in Spanish [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/007253.htm]