Definition of Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis: A relatively common disease that
causes inflammation of the large intestine (the colon). The cause is
unknown.
Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease. It has
some similarity to a related disorder, Crohn's disease.
The end of the colon (the rectum) is always involved in ulcerative
colitis. When the inflammation is limited to the rectum, it is
called ulcerative proctitis.
The inflammation may extend to varying degrees into the upper
parts of the colon. When the entire colon is involved, the terms
pancolitis or universal colitis are used.
Intermittent rectal bleeding, crampy abdominal pain and diarrhea
can be symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis
characteristically waxes and wanes. Many patients experience long
remissions, even without medication. Ulcerative colitis may
mysteriously resolve ("burn out") after a long history of
symptoms.
Direct visualization (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) with sampling
of the lining of the bowel is the most accurate diagnostic test.
Especially in new cases, infections and other diseases that can mimic
ulcerative colitis have to be considered and excluded.
Long-standing ulcerative colitis increases the risk for colon
cancer. Ulcerative colitis can also be associated with inflammation
in joints, spine, skin, eyes, the liver and its bile ducts.
The treatment of ulcerative colitis may involve medications and/or
surgery. Since inflammatory bowel disease is currently an area of
active and productive research, new treatments are anticipated which,
it is hoped, will be of value in ulcerative colitis.
Last Editorial Review: 11/13/1998 7:43:00 AMCommon Misspellings: ulcerative collitis, ulcerative colitus
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