Ulcerative colitis

In ulcerative colitis, disease is found in the colon (large intestine) and rectum. With ulcerative colitis inflammation is limited to the superficial (mucosal) layers of the gastrointestinal tract and tends to be even and continuous.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

Rectal bleeding
Passage of mucus
Diarrhea
Urgency
Abdominal pain

The types of ulcerative colitis are based on the location within the gastrointestinal tract:

Proctitis – inflammation of the rectum only
Left sided colitis – inflammation from the rectum
Proctosigmoiditis (rectum and sigmoid colon)
Pancolitis (inflammation of the whole colon: right, left, transverse, rectum).

View CT image of Ulcerative Colitis (Warning: medical image)

View pictures of normal gut and Ulcerative Colitis (Warning: medical images)

	Normal Illium
	Normal rectum and anus
	Deep severe ulcerative colitis
	Ulcerative colitis with mucus and puss
	Deep severe ulcerative colitis

Hints for health: Predicting a flare up is not possible, but early recognition of symptoms and consultation with your doctor results in a better response to treatment.

Continuous (maintenance) treatment to prevent relapses is usually advised