Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects around 500,000 Americans. Ulcerative colitis, similar to Crohn's disease, can be painful and debilitating and sometimes can lead to life-threatening complications. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are so similar that they're often mistaken for one another. Both diseases inflame the lining of the digestive tract, and both can cause severe bouts of watery or bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Ulcerative colitis has no known cure but therapies are available that may dramatically reduce the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis and even bring about a long-term remission. Learn more about the condition of ulcerative colitis with information on causes, symptoms, history, and treatments.