Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis meaning

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic (unknown reason) inflammatory disease of the colon that causes diffuse friability and superficial erosions on the colonic wall that are accompanied by haemorrhage (internal bleeding).

This is the most prevalent type of inflammatory bowel disease worldwide, typically affecting the colon's mucosa and submucosa, causing localised inflammation. The disease usually initiates in the rectum and progresses continuously inward (towards the colon). The disease severity can also vary histologically, ranging from mild to severe ulceration and dysplasia.

Adults are more likely to have ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease. However, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are less common compared to the paediatric population. Ages between 15 and 30 are when the initial onset peaks. Ulcerative colitis has an unknown precise cause, and a family history of the ailment is the most significant independent risk factor (8 % to 14 % of patients). The condition usually develops gradually, and individuals will probably go through periods of spontaneous remission before relapsing.

Ulcerative colitis symptoms

The primary ulcerative colitis symptom is bloody diarrhoea with or without mucous. In addition, the following are the ulcerative colitis disease symptoms:

• Tenesmus (a painful urge to pass stools without excreting stool)

• Unable to hold stool

• Pain in abdomen

• General malaise

• Decrease in body weight

• Increase in body temperature

• Loss of body fluids

• Reduce hunger

• Skin sores

• Anaemia

• Eye pain while exposed to bright light

• Joint pain

• Canker sores (mouth ulcers)

• Vomiting and it's feeling

Types of ulcerative colitis

The types of ulcerative colitis are based on the following:

• The location of the colon and rectum affected

• Severity of ulcerative colitis

Location of the colon and rectum affected

Based on the location of the colon and rectum affected, they are usually four types of ulcerative colitis as:

Ulcerative Proctitis

Left-Sided Colitis

Extensive Colitis (Pancolitis)

Proctosigmoiditis

Ulcerative Proctitis: In this type, the inflammation only occurs in the rectum (usually less than 6 inches), the final section of the large intestine. About one-third of those who have ulcerative colitis (UC) are affected by this type of ailment. The sudden need to defecate, pain and bleeding in the rectum are the symptoms of this condition.

Left-Sided Colitis: This type of ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation anywhere from the rectum to the splenic flexure of the colon (curve in the upper left portion of the abdomen, where the descending colon and transverse colon meet). Loss of hunger, left-side abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and loss of weight are the symptoms of this condition.

Extensive Colitis (Pancolitis): This type of ulcerative colitis frequently affects the entire colon. The inflammation occurs from the rectum and extends past the splenic flexure. The symptoms include abdominal pain, loss of hunger, increased body temperature, cramps and bloody diarrhoea.

Proctosigmoiditis: This type of ulcerative colitis affects only the rectum and sigmoid colon, the bottom portion of the colon above the rectum. The symptoms include tenesmus, bloody diarrhoea, cramps and pain in the abdomen.

Severity of ulcerative colitis

Based on the disease severity or stages, it is graded as mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, such as:

• Mild ulcerative colitis

• Moderate ulcerative colitis

• Severe ulcerative colitis

Mild ulcerative colitis: having four rectal bleeding episodes in a day.

Moderate ulcerative colitis: having more than four rectal bleeding episodes in a day.

Severe ulcerative colitis:

having more than six rectal bleeding episodes in a day accompanied by hypoalbuminemia.

Fulminant Ulcerative Colitis

Fulminant ulcerative colitis is a rare yet dangerous form of ulcerative colitis, characterised by complete inflammation of the colon lining, leading to severe symptoms like stomach discomfort and bloody diarrhoea.