Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is a long-term condition, resulting from an abnormal response by the body’s immune system, that causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the colon and rectum (the large bowel). In UC, ulcers develop on the surface of the lining and these may bleed and produce mucus. The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may affect the entire colon. If UC only affects the rectum, it is called proctitis, whereas it affects the whole colon it may be called total colitis or pancolitis. It’s one of the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The other is Crohn’s Disease.