Ulcerative Colitis

The disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes ulcers and long-lasting inflammation in your digestive tract. The disease affects the innermost lining of your colon or large intestine and rectum. Rather than developing suddenly, ulcerative colitis symptoms usually develop slowly over time.

Ulcerative colitis develops when your body’s immune system behaves and responds abnormally. Normally, the proteins and cells that make up your immune system guard you from infection.

However, in ulcerative colitis, the immune system mistakes bacteria, food, and other materials in the large intestine for invading or foreign substances. Once this happens, your body sends white blood cells in response to the innermost lining of the large intestine, causing ulcerations and chronic inflammation.

The disease can be debilitating and can even result in life-threatening complications. Although there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, the symptoms and signs of the disease can be significantly reduced with the right treatment and can even result in long-term remission.