What is ulcerative colitis?
Just ask to get a better understanding of ulcerative colitis (UC). Your experience with ulcerative colitis is unique, so taking action and asking questions is the best way to get the specific answers you need. Some of the common questions about UC are provided here to help you get ready to begin the UC dialogue with your physician and other specialists, as well as with family, friends, and other people with UC.
What causes ulcerative colitis? UC is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is caused by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. It's helpful to know that you are not alone in dealing with this disease. In fact, nearly 700,000 people in the United States are affected by UC. And, while there is no definitive cause for ulcerative colitis, research points to an interaction of multiple factors, including your genes, your environment, and how your immune system functions.
Who gets ulcerative colitis? UC affects men and women equally, with certain factors playing a role—like where they grew up and if there's a family history of UC or a similar condition. UC is most common in the United States and northern Europe, and people of Eastern European Jewish descent are 3 to 5 times more likely to be affected. Research has shown that ulcerative colitis can run in families. For this reason, researchers are looking into genes, such as the IL23R gene and others, to see why their presence puts a person at greater risk for developing an IBD.
What else should I know about UC? This Web site was designed to give you important information about this condition to help you get the UC dialogue started.
Want more information about UC symptoms? What symptoms you have, how bad they are, and how long they last may vary compared to others with UC. However, there are some common symptoms you should know about so that you can discuss your personal experience with your doctor. Learn more about ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Curious how UC affects the colon? The Healing Story video gives you an inside view into what is happening to the lining of the colon during a flare and how the right treatment can reduce symptoms and help the lining of the colon begin to heal. Watch how UC affects the colon.
Looking for treatment options? There are several treatments used for UC. They work in different ways. Take a look, and then ask yourself whether your treatment is doing all it could to help with symptoms and healing the colon. Click here for UC treatment options.
