-  Home 
        -  Health Information 
        -  Digestive Diseases 
        -  Ulcerative Colitis 

Digestive Diseases
-  Abdominal Adhesions 
-  Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in AdultsShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in ChildrenShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in InfantsShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI TractShow child pages    -  About the Lower GI Tract 
  -  Anorectal Malformations (Imperforate Anus) 
  -  Colonic Atresia & Stenosis 
  -  Malrotation 
  -  Intussusception 
  -  Colonic & Anorectal Fistulas 
  -  Rectal Prolapse 
  -  Colonic Volvulus 
-  AppendicitisShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Barrett's EsophagusShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Celiac DiseaseShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Chronic Diarrhea in ChildrenShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Colon PolypsShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  ConstipationShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Constipation in ChildrenShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Crohn's DiseaseShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Cyclic Vomiting SyndromeShow child pages    -  Definitions & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  DiarrheaShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Diverticular DiseaseShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Dumping SyndromeShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Food PoisoningShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  GallstonesShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Dieting 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
-  Gas in the Digestive TractShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Gastritis & GastropathyShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Gastrointestinal (GI) BleedingShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  GastroparesisShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  HemorrhoidsShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Hirschsprung DiseaseShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Indigestion (Dyspepsia)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Inguinal Hernia 
-  Intestinal Pseudo-obstructionShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Irritable Bowel Syndrome in ChildrenShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Lactose IntoleranceShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Microscopic ColitisShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Ostomy Surgery of the BowelShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Types of Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel 
  -  What to Expect Before & During Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel 
  -  After Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel 
  -  Complications of Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  PancreatitisShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  ProctitisShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Short Bowel SyndromeShow child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Ulcerative ColitisHide child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Viral Gastroenteritis (“Stomach Flu”)Show child pages    -  Definition & Facts 
  -  Symptoms & Causes 
  -  Diagnosis 
  -  Treatment 
  -  Eating, Diet, & Nutrition 
  -  Clinical Trials 
-  Your Digestive System & How it Works 
-  Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome 

# Ulcerative Colitis

View or Print All Sections

## Definition & Facts

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which abnormal reactions of the immune system cause inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of your large intestine. Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age, but the disease is more likely to develop in people between the ages of 15 and 30.

## Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person and may include diarrhea, passing blood with your stool, and abdominal pain. Experts aren’t sure what causes ulcerative colitis but think genes, abnormal immune reactions, the microbiome, and the environment play a role.

## Diagnosis

To diagnose ulcerative colitis, doctors review your symptoms and medical and family history and perform a physical exam and tests. Medical tests may include blood tests, stool tests, and endoscopy of the large intestine.

## Treatment

Doctors typically treat ulcerative colitis with medicines to reduce inflammation in the large intestine and help bring on and maintain remission. In some cases, doctors may recommend surgery to treat ulcerative colitis or complications.

## Eating, Diet, & Nutrition

Ulcerative colitis symptoms may cause some people to lose their appetite and eat less, and they may not get enough nutrients. If you have ulcerative colitis, you should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

## Clinical Trials

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

## Related Conditions & Diseases

                - Diarrhea
                - Crohn’s Disease
                - Microscopic Colitis     

## Related Diagnostic Tests

                - Colonoscopy
                - Flexible Sigmoidoscopy     

## Your Digestive System & How it Works

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—also called the digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus.

## Related Research

See more about digestive diseases research at NIDDK.

*Next:*                Definition & Facts            

        This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank:Adam Cheifetz, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center