What is Ulcerative Colitis?

 
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Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic (on-going and life-long) condition that causes inflammation and ulceration of lining of the large intestine (colon). The inflammation causes ulcers in the large intestine (a little bit like the ulcers you might have experienced in your mouth, but lots of them), which can bleed and produce mucus. In UC, the inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it can affect the entire colon. Similar to Crohns disease, sufferers can experience periods when their health is good and they are described as being in remission, but also periods when symptoms worsen, described as a flare-up or relapse.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms range from mild to severe and can change over time but the most common are:

  • Recurring diarrhoea which may contain blood or mucus

  • Tummy pain

  • Needing to go for a poo a lot

  • Suffers can also experience tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.

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Clemmie Macpherson