Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum, with no known cure but effective management options available. Risk factors include age, race, and family history, with symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Diagnosis involves lab tests and endoscopic procedures, while treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, and other supportive medications.

1. Ulcerative colitis
Prepared by
Mr.Abhay Rajpoot
HOD (Dep. of Medical Surgical)
abhayrajpoot5591@gmail.com

3. INTRODUCTION
• Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that
causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the digestive tract.
• Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of large intestine
(colon) and rectum.
• Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and can sometimes lead to
life-threatening complications. While it has no known cure,
treatment can greatly reduce signs and symptoms of the
disease and bring about long-term remission.

4. DEFINITION
• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease. It
causes irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the lining large
intestine.
• There’s no cure, and people usually have symptoms off and
on for life. But the right treatments can help to keep a handle
on the disease.

6. RISK FACTORS
Ulcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and
men. Risk factors may include:
• Age. Ulcerative colitis usually begins before the age of 30. But it
can occur at any age, and some people may not develop the
disease until after age 60.
• Race or ethnicity. Although whites have the highest risk of the
disease, it can occur in any race.
• Family history.

7. CAUSES
• The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown.
Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors
know that these factors may aggravate but don't cause
ulcerative colitis.
• One possible cause is an immune system malfunction.
• Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is
more common in people who have family members with the
disease.

9. TYPES
• Ulcerative proctitis. Inflammation is confined to the area closest to
the anus (rectum), and rectal bleeding may be the only sign of the
disease.
• Proctosigmoiditis. Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid
colon the lower end of the colon. Signs and symptoms include
bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to
move the bowels in spite of the urge to do so (tenesmus).
• Left-sided colitis. Inflammation extends from the rectum up through
the sigmoid and descending colon. Signs and symptoms include
bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain on the left side, and
urgency to defecate.
• Pancolitis. This type often affects the entire colon and causes bouts
of bloody diarrhea that may be severe, abdominal cramps and pain,
fatigue, and significant weight loss.

11. SYMPTOMS
• Diarrhea, often with blood or pus
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Rectal pain
• Rectal bleeding — passing small amount of blood with stool
• Urgency to defecate
• Inability to defecate despite urgency
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• In children, failure to grow

12. LAB TESTS
• Blood tests.
• Stool studies. White blood cells or certain proteins in stool can
indicate ulcerative colitis. A stool sample can also help rule out other
disorders, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses and
parasites.
Endoscopic procedures
• Colonoscopy. This exam allows to view entire colon using a thin,
flexible, lighted tube with a camera on the end.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy. A flexible, lighted tube to examine the
rectum and sigmoid colon the lower end of the colon

14. Imaging procedures
• X-ray
• CT- Scan

15. COMPLICATIONS
• Severe bleeding
• A hole in the colon (perforated colon)
• Severe dehydration
• Bone loss (osteoporosis)
• Inflammation of the skin, joints and eyes
• An increased risk of colon cancer
• A rapidly swelling colon (toxic megacolon)
• Increased risk of blood clots in veins and arteries

16. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first step in the treatment
of ulcerative colitis and are appropriate for the majority of
people with this condition. These drugs include:
-5-aminosalicylates.
Examples: Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
-Corticosteroids. These drugs, which include prednisone and
budesonide, are generally reserved for moderate to severe
ulcerative colitis that doesn't respond to other treatments.

17. Immune system suppressors
• These drugs also reduce inflammation, but they do so by
suppressing the immune system response that starts the
process of inflammation. For some people, a combination of
these drugs works better than one drug alone.
Immunosuppressant drugs include:
• Azathioprine
• Cyclosporine

18. OTHER DRUGS
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Pain relievers
• Antispasmodics
• Iron supplements

20. *धन्यवाद*