It is a long term (chronic) condition where your large bowel (rectum and colon) become inflamed.

Tiny ulcers can form on the inside layer of the colon and rectum. They can bleed and form pus.

 

Symptoms may include:

- Recurrent or intermittent episodes of diarrhoea

- Diarrhoea may contain mucus, blood or pus

- Abdominal pain

- Frequent emptying of the bowel.

 

Some people can have months without symptoms before a flare-up occur, whilst for other this condition is part of their daily life.

 

Causes:

Ulcerative colitis is when the body’s own immune system attacks the healthy tissue. We call it an autoimmune disease.

 

This can be a genetic condition.

 

Treatment:

The treatment is mostly symptomatic – medication to relieve the diarrhoea, the pain and the inflammation.

 

Severe cases needs hospitalisation, but mostly this could be dealt with at home.

 

By omitting certain foods from your diet, your symptoms might be less.

 

IF conservative treatment is ineffective, there are surgical options. Please consult your doctor.