What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis is a type of inflammation of the large intestine (the colon) where the intestinal wall develops ulcers. The inflammation is caused from the immune system somehow getting confused and attacking the large intestine as if it were a foreign bacteria. UC also can also eventually cause anemia (from blood loss during bowel movements), colon cancer (from the constant destruction and rebuilding of the intestinal wall) and random inflammation/ulceration of other areas of the body (from the immune system being confused). There is no agreed upon cause (although there are several theories) and no known cure although doctors will tell you that the colectomy/J-pouch surgery is a cure. It would almost seem that people who get UC are literally struck down by God. At least that's what it felt like to me. To make matters worse, UC is also rare (1/10,000 population) making it hard for people to connect who have it.
UC usually begins with abdominal pain followed by passing mucus then blood while having bowel movements. Depending on the extent of the inflammation, pain and loss of blood can be mild to extremely severe. When UC becomes active it's known as a flare up. When UC flares up, doctors will usually prescribe prednisone until it goes dormant again (remission) although occasionally UC can go into remission by itself.
It can take a while to diagnose UC because it is similar to IBS, Chron's and other forms of colitis.

Colitis Information

Main Page
Ulcerative Colitis
Ileostomy
J-Pouch