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 acute Crohn's disease with obstruction (Warning: medical image)

View pictures of normal gut and Crohn's disease (Warning: medical images)

Normal Illium

Normal rectum and anus

Crohn’s Disease – longitudinal ulceration

Crohn’s rectum, less involved

Crohn’s diesease, ulceration of sigmoid colon

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