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Ulcerative Colitis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Digestive System

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers in the rectum and colon, often beginning in young adults and presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Overview

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease.

UC can happen at any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and blood or pus in diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:

  • Anemia
  • Severe tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bleeding from the rectum
  • Sores on the skin
  • Joint pain
  • Growth failure in children

About half of people with UC have mild symptoms.

Diagnosis

Doctors use blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and imaging tests to diagnose UC.

Treatment & Management

Several types of drugs can help control it. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms. In severe cases, doctors must remove the colon.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition, and sustained remission is maintained by continuous drug therapy. Discontinuing medications such as 5-ASAs, immunomodulators, or biologics after achieving symptom relief significantly increases the likelihood of a severe relapse and can lead to the formation of antidrug antibodies that make future treatment ineffective.
During an active flare, follow a temporary low-residue or low-fiber diet that limits raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, spicy foods, and dairy to reduce stool volume and bowel irritation. In remission, you should gradually reintroduce a wide variety of fiber-rich plant foods, lean proteins, and anti-inflammatory nutrients to support a diverse gut microbiome and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe abdominal distension or rigidity, a high fever, a heart rate above 100 beats per minute, extreme lightheadedness, or sudden, profuse rectal bleeding. These symptoms can signal life-threatening complications like toxic megacolon, systemic infection, or bowel perforation that require immediate hospital management.
Most clinical guidelines recommend scheduling your first surveillance colonoscopy 8 years after the onset of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Chronic intestinal inflammation increases the long-term risk of neoplastic changes, so after this initial exam, gastroenterologists typically advise follow-up colonoscopies every 1 to 3 years depending on disease extent, family history, and mucosal healing status.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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