Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the most common type of IBD. It affects the large intestine, which includes the colon and the rectum, causing continuous damage to the entire inner lining. When the lining becomes inflamed, it can create sores or ulcers, which release blood and mucus.

Shari Living with UC

UC is an autoimmune disease

With UC, your body’s immune system attacks your large intestine (colon and rectum), creating continuous and uniform inflammation. When the lining becomes inflamed, it can create sores that can lead to blood and mucus in your stool. It’s unclear why your immune system attacks healthy cells, but your genetics and environment likely play a role in triggering this immune response.

What are some of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Some UC symptoms overlap with other types of IBD, but there are some that are specific. Bloody diarrhea is more common with UC. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms that are bothering you—they could be a warning sign.

Diarrhea or changes in bowel movements

Stool with blood or mucus

Bowel urgency

Fatigue

Abdominal pain (stomach pain or cramping)

Nausea

Weight loss

Causes and risk factors

Like all types of IBD, the exact cause of UC isn’t clear.

A person may develop UC due to the interaction between the genes they inherit from their parents and environmental factors (such as where they live and their lifestyle). Together, these factors could trigger an immune response.

Severity and progression

Because it’s possible for UC to get worse over time in some people, you and your healthcare team should keep a close eye on your symptoms and monitor the disease. This could include specific blood and stool tests and/or procedures.

Learn about monitoring UC

How UC can affect your body

Typically, UC only affects the large intestine (colon and rectum).

Maybe you’ve heard someone talk about extraintestinal manifestations, or EIMs. Simply put, these are ways UC can affect your body beyond the gut.

Here are a few of the most common:

Inner lining of the large intestine (colon and rectum)

It can cause continuous damage to the inner lining of the large intestine, starting from the rectum and moving upward through the colon.

Eyes

Inflammation can lead to redness, pain, irritation, and itching

Joints

Inflammation can lead to arthritis

Skin

Bumps, sores, and rashes

Liver and gallbladder

Inflammation can lead to scarring of the bile ducts, or primary sclerosing cholangitis

How UC is:

Diagnosed

There’s no single medical test for UC, but a physical exam, diagnostic tests, evaluations, and certain procedures can lead to a diagnosis.

Learn more

Managed

Living with UC means it’s not always possible to be symptom-free. But there are things you can do that may help manage flare-ups.

Learn more

Treated

Everyone’s different. Medicines that work for some people may not work for others. It could take time for you and your care team to find a treatment that’s right for you.

Learn more

Shari Living with UC

When I was faced with my diagnosis, I decided that I didn’t want to lose time. I wanted to make the most of everything I’ve got. See Shari’s story

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