Ulcerative Colitis | Crohn’s & Colitis UK

If youve just been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (or even if youve had itfor some time)you may be feeling uncertain about what it is and the potential impact it may have on your life.

Weve addressed some of the common questions about Ulcerative Colitis below. You can find more in-depth information in our freeUlcerative Colitis booklet.

If youd prefer to speak to someone, were very happy to answer your questions through our Information Service.

Ulcerative Colitis is a condition that causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon (the large bowel). In UC, tiny ulcers develop on the surface of the lining and these may bleed and produce pus.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may affect the entire colon. If UC only affects the rectum, it is called proctitis, while if it affects the whole colon it may be called total colitis or pancolitis.

Its one of the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The other isCrohns Disease.

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition. This means that it is ongoing and life-long, although you may have periods of good health (remission), as well as times when symptoms are more active (relapses or flare-ups).

Ulcerative Colitis is a very individual condition and its symptoms will vary from person to person. They range from mild to severe and may also change over time.

Some people remain well for a long time, while others have frequent flare-ups. However, the most common symptoms are:

Diarrhoea Cramping pains in the abdomen Tiredness and fatigue Feeling generally unwell or feverish Loss of appetite and weight loss Anaemia (a reduced level of red blood cells).

Find out more about the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Its estimated that UC affects about one in every 420 people in the UK (roughly 146,000 people).

UC is more common in urban areas and in northern developed countries, although were starting to see an increase in numbers in developing nations, too.

UC is also more common in white people of European descent, especially those descended from Ashkenazi Jews (those who lived in Eastern Europe and Russia).

It can start at any age, though it often appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25. It affects men and women equally.

UC tends to develop more frequently in non-smokers and ex-smokers than in smokers but health professionals strongly advise against smoking as a way of treating Ulcerative Colitis. SeeSmoking and IBDfor more information.

Our Ambassadors embody the wide range of people who get Crohns Disease. Read their stories.

Although there has been a lot of research, we still dont really know what causes Ulcerative Colitis. However, advances have been made in recent years, particularly in genetics and we now believe that UC is caused by a combination of factors:

- the genes youre born with- plus an abnormal reaction of the digestive system to bacteria in the intestine- along with an unknown 'trigger' that could include viruses, other bacteria, diet, stress, or something else in the environment.

There isn't a cure at the moment but a lot can be done with medication and surgery to help keep symptoms under control.

Read about the research were funding into the causes and treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis can often be managed by medication (drug treatment), but surgery can be necessary if symptoms are very bad.

Your treatment will depend on the type and severity of your UC and the choices you make with your doctor.

Find out what treatments are available for Ulcerative Colitis.

More than a third of people with UC develop other conditions outside of the digestive system, mainly affecting the joints, eyes and skin.

Inflammation of the joints (arthritis) affects about one out of 10 people with UC. Some people with UC also develop ankylosing spondylitis, a condition in which the joints in the spine and pelvis become inflamed and stiff. Drugs and physiotherapy are used to treat these symptoms.

A variety of other health conditions can be associated with UC, including:

Its important to stress that Ulcerative Colitis is not a form of cancer. However, if you have had extensive or total colitis (pancolitis) for many years, you have a greater risk than normal of developing cancer in the colon or rectum. For more information about this, see our information sheet Bowel Cancer and IBD

Find out more about complications by downloading ourUlcerative Colitis booklet

Living with a chronic condition like Ulcerative Colitis can have both an emotional and practical impact on your life. There may be times when you have to make adjustments and take time to recuperate, for example, if you are having a flare-up. On the other hand, when you are well you may be able to live life to the full.

Most obviously, you are likely to see your GP and perhaps also your hospital IBD team quite regularly. Its good to build up a good relationship with them, as that can make seeking and receiving treatment a less stressful process. See our booklet My Crohns and Colitis Care for more information about to work with your IBD team to get the best out of your care.

Flare-ups can be disruptive to relationships and work sometimes you may need to cancel engagements and take time off when you are feeling unwell. It can be very helpful if you feel you can open up about your condition to those around you your family, friends, work colleagues and employers. Telling particularly family and friends at least something about your illness may make them feel reassured and more able to give you the support you need.

Diet is considered a factor in the appearance and severity of symptoms by many people with Ulcerative Colitis although research has not produced clear answers on whether diet plays a role in UC.

Generally, the most important thing is to eat a nutritious and balanced diet to maintain your weight and strength, and to drink sufficient fluids to stop you getting dehydrated.

However, you may find during flare-ups that certain foods affect your symptoms. Bland, soft foods may cause less discomfort than raw vegetables, spicy and high-fibre foods .

Most women with Ulcerative Colitis can expect a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby. Also, for most women, having a baby does not make their UC worse. But if you do become pregnant during a flare-up, you may be more likely to give birth early or have a baby with a low birth weight. Your doctor should be able to help you to control your symptoms as much as possible, and it may be helpful to discuss your options with them if you are thinking of having a baby.

Around a quarter of people are children or adolescents when they are diagnosed with IBD, and symptoms in young people often appear around the age of 12. Ulcerative Colitis in children tends to be more extensive in children than adults, and consequently more severe .

Download our free information sheet onStaying well with IBD

Ulcerative Colitis, Edition 8a - last review November 2013. (Next planned review 2016).

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Ulcerative Colitis | Crohn's & Colitis UK