Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disorder in which the mucous membranes lining of the colon become inflamed and develop ulcers, causing bloody diarrhea, pain, gas, bloating, and, at times, hard stools. The colon muscles then have to work harder to move these hardened stools through the colon. This can cause the mucous lining of the colon wall to bulge out into small pouchlike projections called diverticula. This usually occurs in the lower left section of the large intestine called the sigmoid (“S-shaped”) colon, although it can occur in any part of the colon. Enteritis and ileitis are types of inflammation of the small intestine often associated with colitis. Ulcerative colitis can range from relatively mild to severe.

Common complications are diarrhea and bleeding, often causing the loss of vital nutrients and fluids. The cause or causes of most cases of colitis are unknown, but possible contributing factors include poor eating habits, stress, and food allergies. Colitis can also be caused by infectious agents such as bacteria. This type of colitis is often associated with the use of antibiotics, which alter the normal bowel flora and permit microorganisms that are normally held in check to proliferate. The symptoms can range from simple diarrhea to the more severe type of symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis.