UC is a specific type of colitis. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the colon. It is one of the most common types of IBD.
“UC is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells of the colon, leading to ongoing inflammation,” says internal medicine and gastroenterology physician David D. Clarke, MD, a clinical assistant professor emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and the president of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “The fundamental cause is not fully understood, but genetic, immune, and environmental factors are believed to contribute.”
Symptoms of UC include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
- Having more frequent bowel movements or the urge to pass one
- Mild abdominal pain
- Feeling like you need to poop but not being able to (tenesmus)
People with moderate to severe UC, symptoms may also experience these symptoms:
- At least four bowel movements or episodes of diarrhea per day
- Blood, mucus, or pus in stool
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fatigue or feeling extremely tired
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Nausea
UC symptoms often come in waves, called flares, interspersed with periods of minimal or no symptoms, called remission.
The cause of UC is thought to be an overactive response by the immune system, when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in your body. As a result, UC is considered an autoimmune disease.
