What is Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and the lining of the rectum. Inflammation in the colon causes it to empty frequently resulting in diarrhea. Ulcerative Colitis, also known as UC, usually occurs in people between the ages of fifteen and thirty but can occur at any age. It affects men and women equally but does appear to have a higher incidence in Caucasians and people of Jewish descent. It afflicts between one and two million people in the United States and many more worldwide. It is, however, more common in the United States, England, and Northern Europe. It is rarely see in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America.

What are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
The most common symptoms of UC are abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of body fluids and malnutrition, and joint pain. The majority of people diagnosed with UC experience mild symptoms; others suffer from severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and frequent fevers. The inflammation produced by the immune system is also thought to cause other symptoms and conditions including osteoporosis, arthritis, and liver disease. Patients will periodically experience episodes of remission in which they seem to be free of any symptoms of colitis. Although this may occur ongoing treatment is required to maintain remission.