by Phyllis Logie

Created on: October 13, 2010   Last Updated: November 13, 2010

Ulcerative Colitis is chronic inflammation of the lining of the colon, otherwise known as the large intestines. It is part of the digestive system where the waste collects in readiness to be excreted via the rectum and out through the anus.

Ulcerative Colitis is not a contagious disease, but once contracted it can linger for many years, even decades. The disease is most commonly found in western societies such as the Britain, Europe and the US, where it affects 500,000 to 2 million males and females equally, with new cases being diagnosed annually.

It is rarely found amongst Asians, Eastern Europeans and South Americans societies and rarer still amongst Africans.  However, it is highly prevelent amongst the Jewish population, with a small but noticable increase in recent years in the some developing countries.

The disease usually begins in the teenage years; however younger children and older adults can also be affected.  The cause is not known, however there are some theories which believe it to be an abnormal activation of the immune system.

There are five clearly defined types of Ulcerative Colitis which are classified according to where in the large intestines the Colitis is situated.

1. Ulcerative Procititis is the mildest form of the disease which manifests with mild intermittent rectal bleeding, with perhaps some rectal pain and the feeling of wanting to defecate (pass stool) and not being able to on arrival in the toilet.

2. Protosigmoiditis includes inflammation of the rectum and the Sigmoid colon. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, urgency and tenesmus (painful urge to have a bowel movement witout being able to), bloody diarrhoea and cramps.

3. The other part of the colon commonly affected is the left-side where inflammation begins in the rectum and extends up the left side of the colon. Symptoms include blood stained diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, weight loss and left side abdominal pains.

4. Pancolitis affects the entire colon, including the right, left, transverse and the rectum. The symptoms include abdominal pain, bloodstain diarrhoea, cramps, weight loss, fatigue, fever and night sweats.

5. The fifth classification is Fulminant colitis which is a rare but severe form of pancolitis. Sufferers experience all of the above symptoms in the extreme and usually need hospitalization. Dehydration is common, due to extreme and severe bouts of blood stained diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain,

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