Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a common inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the large bowel and rectum. The condition impairs the ability of the large bowel to absorb water which results in diarrhea, the main symptom of the condition.

Ulcerative colitis is a relapsing and remitting condition, meaning symptoms can die down for long periods but then flare-up from time to time. These flare-ups can be sudden and severe. During a period of relapse, symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and a sudden urge to defecate. Other symptoms include wind, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and fatigue.

Currently, there is no cure for the condition apart from surgery. However, certain treatments such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants may be used to ease symptoms by reducing inflammation. Surgery for severe ulcerative colitis that does not respond to treatment involves completely removing the large bowel and re-routing the small bowel so that waste can still be expelled. This procedure is called a colectomy.

In the UK, the incidence of ulcerative colitis is around 1 in 500 and the condition is equally common among males and females. Symptoms can develop at any age, but onset usually occurs between 15 and 30 years of age.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that affects the large intestines, particularly the colon. It is classified as one of the two inflammatory bowel diseases along with Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative Colitis Causes

Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

Ulcerative Colitis Epidemiology

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

Ulcerative Colitis Research

Latest Ulcerative Colitis News and Research

Electrical stimulation of vagus nerve could combat inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine have found that tapping into the nervous system could help reduce the gut inflammation that drives inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

20 Nov 2024

Landmark study highlights growing pediatric IBD rates across the U.S.

A groundbreaking study published today in Gastroenterology provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prevalence in the United States.

20 Nov 2024

Research sheds light on Salmonella’s ability to escape gut defenses

A new UC Davis Health study has uncovered how Salmonella bacteria, a major cause of food poisoning, can invade the gut even when protective bacteria are present.

15 Nov 2024

Gut microbiome found to play key role in chronic disease progression

The gut microbiome, an ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms in the human digestive tract, has been increasingly linked to chronic diseases.

15 Nov 2024

Link between COVID-19 and long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders

COVID-19 survivors may develop autoimmune conditions long-term, with risks varying by severity and vaccination status, necessitating continued health vigilance.

8 Nov 2024

New biomarker could predict response to IBD treatment

Not everyone responds equally well to treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). What will work for individual patients involves trial and error during the treatment process.

7 Nov 2024

Binghamton University joins groundbreaking $42.8 million inflammatory disease treatment project

Binghamton University will play a key role in a federal grant of up to $42.8 million to develop an implantable device that acts as a living pharmacy to treat inflammatory diseases.

5 Nov 2024

New insights on the association between genes, gut microbiota, and mental health

The study identifies links between gut microbiota, genetic variants in IBD, and mental health disorders, offering insights into potential biomarkers for CMDs.

31 Oct 2024

Link between inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthritis revealed

There is a strong connection between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and spondyloarthritis - a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints.

28 Oct 2024

Study sheds new light on p53 tumor suppressor gene's role in ulcerative colitis

Researchers in the lab of Michael Sigal at the Max Delbrück Center and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have elucidated the role of the p53 gene in ulcerative colitis.

26 Oct 2024

Genetic variant identified as potential predictor for severe ulcerative colitis

The HLA-DRB1*01:03 genetic variant is associated with severe ulcerative colitis, significantly raising the risk of major surgeries and hospitalizations.

21 Oct 2024

New genetic variant may predict severe ulcerative colitis in patients

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and debilitating fatigue define the daily lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from chronic bowel disease.

17 Oct 2024

Early signs of inflammatory bowel disease detected in newborns

Across the Western world, the prevalence of these chronic and serious conditions, which have no cure, is rising. In Denmark alone, 50,000 people suffer from either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, which represents a doubling in cases over the past 20 years.

12 Oct 2024

Baylor scientist earns NIH grant for personalized microbiome treatments

Baylor University researcher Aaron Wright, Ph.D., has earned a $5.6 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Transformative Research Award for a project that he and collaborators hope could lead to personalized – and revolutionary – treatments for gut microbiome diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis and more.

9 Oct 2024

Scientists uncover two Crohn’s disease subtypes using lab-grown intestines, offering hope for personalized therapies

Researchers used stem-cell derived organoids from Crohn's disease patients to identify two molecular subtypes, paving the way for personalized treatments targeting specific disease characteristics.

2 Oct 2024

Cleveland Clinic identifies bacterium that weakens gut immune defense

Cleveland Clinic researchers have discovered a new bacterium that weakens the immune system in the gut, potentially contributing to certain inflammatory and infectious gut diseases.

26 Sep 2024

Targeted drug therapy shows promise for ulcerative colitis remission

An international placebo-controlled study led by Cedars-Sinai suggests that a targeted drug therapy that was developed by researchers at Cedars-Sinai is safe and effective at helping people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis reach clinical remission.

26 Sep 2024