Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the large intestine. About three million Americans live with it, and for most people it follows a pattern of flares followed by quieter stretches.
Because the inflammation sits in the colon and rectum, symptoms often show up as changes in your bowel habits, along with discomfort and fatigue. The good news is that with the right plan, many people get their symptoms under control and keep them there.
Our board-certified gastroenterologists in Akron and Massillon care for people with ulcerative colitis every day. The goal is to calm the inflammation, ease your symptoms, and help you feel steady between flares.
Symptoms
Ulcerative colitis affects everyone a little differently, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Common ones include:
- Diarrhea that contains blood or pus
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal bleeding
- An urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Weight loss and fatigue
- Fever in more advanced cases
Types of ulcerative colitis
We often describe ulcerative colitis by how much of the colon is involved, which helps guide treatment:
- Ulcerative proctitis, which is limited to the rectum
- Proctosigmoiditis, which affects the rectum and the lower end of the colon
- Left-sided colitis, which reaches up the left side of the colon
- Pancolitis, which involves the entire colon
Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn’s disease, and both fall under the larger category of inflammatory bowel disease.
How we diagnose it
There is no single test for ulcerative colitis, so we put the picture together from a few sources. We start with your history and a physical exam, then use blood tests and stool analysis to look for signs of inflammation and rule out other causes.
To confirm the diagnosis, we usually recommend a colonoscopy, which lets us look directly at the lining of the colon and take small tissue samples, called biopsies, to examine under a microscope.
How we treat it
Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation, controlling flares, and helping you stay well over the long term. Depending on your situation, your plan may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Immunosuppressants that calm an overactive immune response
- Biologic therapies that target specific parts of the inflammation
When symptoms are severe and do not respond to medication, surgery to remove the colon and rectum may be an option. In many cases this can be done with an internal pouch, called a J-pouch, that allows you to pass stool more normally afterward. We will walk you through every step and adjust the plan as your symptoms change.
When to see us
If you have ongoing diarrhea, blood in your stool, belly cramping, or unexplained weight loss, it is worth being evaluated. Catching ulcerative colitis early and keeping it well managed helps protect your digestive health and your quality of life.
To request an appointment with The Gastroenterology Group in Akron or Massillon, call us at (330) 869-0954. We welcome new patients, and no referral is needed for a screening colonoscopy.