Inflammatory Bowel

Proctitis Overview Proctitis is defined as inflammation of the anus (the opening) and lining of your rectum (lower part of the intestine leading to the anus). Symptoms of proctitis can vary greatly. You may at first have only minor problems. Pro...

Ostomy (Ulcerative Colitis)

The following questions and answers should help to clarify any concerns you may have regarding your colostomy. Print them out so that you can discuss them with your healthcare provider. When Should I Change My Colostomy Pouch? Sched...

Ulcerative Colitis Diet (Ulcerative Colitis)

If you have ulcerative colitis, you probably know which foods trigger your symptoms. The good news is there are ways of eating with ulcerative colitis that allow you to avoid the foods that aggravate your bowel condition. In addition, some new resear...

References (Ulcerative Colitis)

Citations Su C, Lichtenstein GR (2006). Ulcerative colitis. In M Feldman et al., eds., Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2...

Credits (Ulcerative Colitis)

By Healthwise Staff Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Special...

Colorectal Cancer Crohn's Disease Diverticulitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Lactose Intolerance ...

Other Treatment (Ulcerative Colitis)

Even though there is little scientific proof that it works, many people with ulcerative colitis consider nontraditional or complementary medicine in addition to prescription medicines. They may turn to these alternatives because there is ...

Other Places To Get Help (Ulcerative Colitis)

Organizations American College of Gastroenterology P.O. Box 342260 Bethesda, MD 20827-2260 Phone...

Prevention (Ulcerative Colitis)

You cannot prevent ulcerative colitis because the cause is unknown. But you can take steps to reduce the severity of the disease. Medicines taken regularly may reduce acute attacks and keep the disease in remission. ...

Home Treatment (Ulcerative Colitis)

If ulcerative colitis does not cause symptoms, no treatment is needed. If you have only mild symptoms, antidiarrheal medicines and changes in diet and nutrition may help. For disease in the rectum alone, you can try topical medici...

Medications (Ulcerative Colitis)

Medicines usually are the treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis. They control or prevent inflammation in the intestines and help: Relieve symptoms. Promote healing of damaged tissues. Put the disea...

Surgery (Ulcerative Colitis)

Ulcerative colitis affects only the large intestine. So surgery that removes the entire large intestine can cure the disease. Some people who have ulcerative colitis in the entire colon (pancolitis) eventually need surgery to remove the c...

What Happens (Ulcerative Colitis)

Ulcerative colitis may be mild, moderate, or severe. It may be described as dependent on corticosteroids, unresponsive to steroids, active, or not active (in remission). Ulcerative colitis also may be defined by the part...

When To Call a Doctor (Ulcerative Colitis)

Call a doctor immediately if you have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and you have any of the following: Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) or shaking chills Lightheadedness, passing out, or rapid h...

Exams and Tests (Ulcerative Colitis)

Ulcerative colitis can be relatively easy to diagnose because it normally affects only the colon and rectum and usually causes an obvious change in daily bowel habits, such as frequent stools containing blood or mucus. Your doctor will cond...

Symptoms (Ulcerative Colitis)

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include: Diarrhea or rectal urgency. Some people may have diarrhea 10 to 20 times a day. The urge to go to the bathroom may wake you up at night. Rectal bleeding. Ulcerative...

Cause (Ulcerative Colitis)

The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. It may result from an abnormal response by the body's immune system to normal intestinal bacteria. Disease-causing bacteria and viruses also may play a role in causing the condition. Ulce...

Topic Overview (Ulcerative Colitis)

Is this topic for you? Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the most common types of inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum. Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive tract. ...

Health Tools (Ulcerative Colitis)

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Ulcerative Colit...

Ulcerative Colitis Risk Factors (Inflammatory Bowel)

You have an increased risk of ulcerative colitis if you: Have a family history of ulcerative colitis. Your risk increases if an immediate family member such as a parent, brother, or sister has the disease. Ar...

Ulcerative Colitis Medication (Inflammatory Bowel)

Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends mainly on the severity of the disease and usually includes medicines to control symptoms, such as diarrhea, and changes in diet. A few people have symptoms that are persistent and severe, in so...

Colonoscopy (Inflammatory Bowel)

What is a virtual colonoscopy? A virtual colonoscopy uses X-rays and computers (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) to take two- or three-dimensional images of the interior lining of your large intesti...

Anal Abscess (Inflammatory Bowel)

An anal abscess is a painful condition in which a collection of pus develops near the anus. Most anal abscesses are a result of infection from small anal glands. The most common type of abscess is a perianal abscess. This often appears as a pain...

Crohn's Disease Surgery (Inflammatory Bowel)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Overview The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed. What causes them to become red and swollen is not known. The most likely cause is an immune r...

What Is a Low-Residue Diet? (Inflammatory Bowel)

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) -- like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis -- or diverticulitis, your doctor may suggest you follow a low-residue diet. A low-residue diet involves eating more eas...

Causes of Blood in Stool (Inflammatory Bowel)

Blood in the stool can be frightening, whether you discover it while wiping after a bowel movement or from a test ordered by your health care provider. While blood in stool can signal a serious problem, it doesn't always. Here's what you need to know...

Diagnosis (Inflammatory Bowel)

There isn't one test that can tell you whether or not you have Crohn's disease. And Crohn's disease has many possible symptoms that are the same as symptoms for other health problems. So, to make a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, your doctor is likely ...

Treatment (Inflammatory Bowel)

Crohn's disease, also known as ileitis or regional enteritis, is a chronic illness. In Crohn's, the intestine, bowel, or other part of the digestive tract becomes inflamed and ulcerated -- marked with sores. Along with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's dis...

Symptoms (Inflammatory Bowel)

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease include: Abdominal pain. The pain often is described as cramping and intermittent, and the abdomen may be sore when touched. Abdominal pain may turn to a dull, constant ache as the con...

Complications (Inflammatory Bowel)

Complications of Crohn's disease may be related or unrelated to the inflammation within the intestine (such as intestinal or extra-intestinal). Intestinal complications of Crohn's disease include obstruction and perforation of the small intestine, ab...