gastrointestinal disorders
Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory and ulcerative disease arising in the colonic mucosa, characterized most often by bloody diarrhea. Extraintestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Long-term risk of colon cancer is elevated compared to unaffected people. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy. Treatment is with 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, antibiotics, and occasionally surgery. (See also Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease .) 