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:
Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
To diagnose ulcerative colitis, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
The following treatment options can help to control or prevent the severity of ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Many types of medicines are available to treat ulcerative colitis, such as:
Avoiding certain foods may help ease symptoms.
These foods are different for each person, but may include:
Surgery for ulcerative colitis:
After removal of the colon, you may have a permanent end ileostomy (stoma bag) or an ileal pouch anal anastomosis (no external bag).
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