Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon (large intestine) and rectum.
The cause of ulcerative colitis is not known, but, like other inflammatory bowel diseases, there may be a link between:
- a genetic predisposition
- the environment
- an overactive immune response to normal intestinal bacteria
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramps and pain
- rectal bleeding
- anemia
- weight loss
- fatigue, weakness
- nausea
- fever