Medical Concerns You Should Have About Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and infection of the lining of the colon in which pus-filled ulcers cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, and more. Some people experience up to twenty bloody and mucus-filled bowel movements a day. The condition is painful, incurable, and significantly affects daily life, including one's ability to eat. Medications are available but may include side effects similar to the disease itself. Here are the top medical concerns concerning ulcerative colitis.

The Disease Will Never Go Away

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks various organs in the body. The disease is incurable and will never be completely gone from the body unless the colon or large intestine is surgically removed. However, there will be periods of remission in which symptoms disappear for weeks, months and even years before returning. Although the disease is unique to each person it effects, most individuals experience one flare a year lasting anywhere from a few weeks up to three months.