Ulcerative colitis is a type of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) that causes inflammation, ulcers, and irritability in the colon.
Additionally, patients may wake up in the night to use the bathroom because of symptoms such as diarrhea with blood, cramping, and urgency.
A hyperactive immune system is the cause of ulcerative colitis. In ulcerative colitis, the inflammation usually begins in the rectum, which is located near the anus. This can spread to other parts of the intestines or even the entire colon.
Ulcerative colitis can be classified into five different subtypes based on the location or intensity of the symptoms. Each form of UC has its own unique set of symptoms.
ULCERATIVE PROCTITIS
Typically, this is the mildest form of UC. It is restricted to the rectum, and rectal bleeding may be the only symptom or sign.
PROCTOSIGMOIDITIS
This condition affects the lower end of the colon as well as the rectum and is also known as the sigmoid colon. Symptoms include diarrhea with blood, abdominal cramping, and pain.
LEFT-SIDED COLITIS
This type causes cramps on the left side of the abdomen, affecting the rectum and the left-sided portion of the colon. Among the signs and symptoms are diarrhea with blood and weight loss.
PANCOLITIS
Pancolitis can affect the entire colon, resulting in multiple symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, significant weight loss, pain, fatigue, and abdominal cramps.
ACUTE SEVERE ULCERATIVE COLITIS
This rare condition affects the entire colon. Symptoms include diarrhea with blood, pain, and fever.
A pattern of flare-ups when symptoms are worse may be apparent if you have ulcerative colitis. You may experience few or no symptoms when your cancer is in remission.
For the most part, therapy aims to keep patients in remission for a long period of time. The severity of UC is determined by the inflammation and the inflamed area’s location.
Everyone has their own unique characteristics. The rectum (a small section of the colon) may be severely inflamed, or the inflammation may be mild throughout the entire colon (large area).
Swelling or inflammation of the colon, also known as the large intestine, is referred to as colitis. The inflammation in microscopic colitis can only be seen under a microscope.
Swelling is much worse in cases of ulcerative colitis. No known treatment exists for Ulcerative Colitis, which can cause symptoms for the rest of a person’s life.
You may be able to keep the disease under control with the right treatment.
People of any age can develop ulcerative colitis, but it is more common in those between the ages of 15 and 30 than in those between the ages of 50 and 70.
Up to 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have a family member or relative who also has ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, and it appears to run in families.
Patients as young as two years old make up a sizable percentage of those diagnosed before the age of 20.
Mild symptoms are reported by about half of those who have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
Others are plagued by high fevers, diarrhea, nausea, and severe cramping in the abdomen.
Inflammation of the eye, arthritis, liver disease and osteoporosis are all possible side effects of ulcerative colitis. As far as we know, we don’t know why this happens.