ulcerative colitis
Chronic colon disease
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers and inflammation in the colon and rectum.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and urgent bowel movements.
The condition follows a pattern of flare-ups and remission: She was hospitalized during her ulcerative colitis flare.
Unlike Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the digestive tract, ulcerative colitis is confined to the large intestine.
Large intestine section
- rectumTerminal intestinal chamber
- proctitisRectal mucosa inflammation
- descending colonBowel segment traveling downward
- ascending colonBowel segment rising rightward
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- biologicsDrugs derived from organisms
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
- colectomySurgical removal of colon
- ileostomySurgically created abdominal opening
fecal transplant · probiotics · hospitalization · clinical trials
Blood from the anus
- bloody stoolFeces with blood present
- diarrheaFrequent liquid bowel movements
- urgencyPressing need for action
- crampingInvoluntary muscle contraction
abdominal pain · fatigue · weight loss · fever · bowel movements · frequency · incontinence · bloating
Body's pathogen-fighting network
- autoimmunityImmune system targets self
- immunosuppressantAgent reducing bodily defenses
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
- remissionTemporary disease absence
T-cells · cytokines · antibodies · interleukin · immunotherapy · genetics · leukocytes · biologics
Large intestine examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- stool sampleCollected excrement for testing
- C-reactive proteinInflammatory biomarker in blood
blood test · imaging · sigmoidoscopy · disease severity · differential diagnosis · histology
Hole punched through something
- colorectal cancerMalignancy of the large intestine
- dysplasiaAbnormal tissue formation
- severe bleedingDangerous rapid blood loss
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
anemia · malnutrition · arthritis · eye inflammation · skin conditions
Lasting extended period
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- relapsing-remittingRecurring then temporarily resolving
- incurableCannot be healed
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
monitoring · flare-ups · remission · quality of life · fatigue · adaptation · coping · debilitating
colon
Large intestine section
- rectumTerminal intestinal chamber
- proctitisRectal mucosa inflammation
- descending colonBowel segment traveling downward
corticosteroids
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- biologicsDrugs derived from organisms
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
- colectomySurgical removal of colon
ileostomy · fecal transplant · probiotics · hospitalization · clinical trials
rectal bleeding
Blood from the anus
- bloody stoolFeces with blood present
- diarrheaFrequent liquid bowel movements
- urgencyPressing need for action
cramping · abdominal pain · fatigue · weight loss · fever · bowel movements · frequency · incontinence · bloating · loss of appetite
immune system
Body's pathogen-fighting network
- autoimmunityImmune system targets self
- immunosuppressantAgent reducing bodily defenses
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
remission · T-cells · cytokines · antibodies · interleukin · immunotherapy · genetics · leukocytes · biologics · gut microbiome
colonoscopy
Large intestine examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- stool sampleCollected excrement for testing
C-reactive protein · blood test · imaging · sigmoidoscopy · disease severity · differential diagnosis · histology
perforation
Hole punched through something
- colorectal cancerMalignancy of the large intestine
- dysplasiaAbnormal tissue formation
- severe bleedingDangerous rapid blood loss
osteoporosis · anemia · malnutrition · arthritis · eye inflammation · skin conditions
long-term
Lasting extended period
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- relapsing-remittingRecurring then temporarily resolving
- incurableCannot be healed
management · monitoring · flare-ups · remission · quality of life · fatigue · adaptation · coping · debilitating · lifestyle modifications
- diseasescancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, influenza, measles
- GI disordersCrohn's disease, gastroenteritis, IBS, GERD, esophagitis
- gut diseasesappendicitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis
- gut problemsappendicitis, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, acid reflux
- Immune Disordersautoimmune disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes
- Autoimmunityautoimmunity, autoantibodies, self-tolerance, lupus, multiple sclerosis
ulcerative colitisCrohn's disease
Chronic intestinal inflammation disorder
ileitis · enteritis · esophagitis · gastritis
ulcer, ulcers, ulceration, colitis, colonic, ulcerative, ulcerate, ulcerated, colostomy