Ulcerative colitis
In ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease in which the inner layers of the lining of the intestine destroyed. It runs in spurts and usually always goes from the rectum. From there it can spread to the entire large intestine. An infestation of the small intestine is very rare.
The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, the onset is usually between 20 and 40 Year of life.
Frequency
Per 100,000 inhabitants, there are about five cases of ulcerative colitis. In the last 20 years the number of new cases has increased greatly.
Symptoms
- Bloody, mucoid diarrhea
- Some cramping abdominal pain
Diagnosis
- The diagnosis requires several steps. First, a radiographic representation of the intestine the help of contrast medium is necessary for other needs a colonoscopy to be carried out with a removal of tissue (biopsy), and its histological examination.
- In about 10% of cases, no clear differentiation from Crohn's disease is possible.
Complications
- Intestinal perforation
- Severe intestinal bleeding
- Cancer of the colon