Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of colon and rectum.

 

 

 

Symptoms

 

Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate symptoms. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Diarrhoea, often with blood or pus
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Rectal bleeding — passing small amount of blood with stool
• Urgency to defecate
• Inability to defecate despite urgency
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever

 

 

Causes

 

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease. However, most people with ulcerative colitis don't have this family history.

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

To help confirm a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, patients may have one or more of the following tests and procedures:

• Blood tests. Doctor may suggest blood tests to check for anaemia or to check for signs of infection.
• Stool sample. A stool sample can also help rule out other disorders, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.
• Colonoscopy. During the procedure, doctor can also take biopsy for laboratory analysis. Sometimes a tissue sample can help confirm a diagnosis.
• CT enterography and magnetic resonance (MR) enterography. Doctor may recommend one of these non-invasive tests to exclude any inflammation in the small intestine. These tests are more sensitive for finding inflammation in the bowel than are conventional imaging tests.

 

 

Treatment

 

Ulcerative colitis treatment usually involves either drug therapy or surgery.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first step in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. They include aminosalicylates. Most aminosalicylates have oral medications, rectal suppository or enema.
• In severe cases, steroid or even biological therapy may be needed for treatment.
• Surgery to remove the colon may be needed if the prescribed medication failed to reach its effect.

 

 

*The above information is for reference only, please consult your doctor for detail.