Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition that affects the large intestine causing irritation and ulcers that can cause unpleasant symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Overview

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What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes irritation and ulcers in the large intestine (colon and rectum). It can develop at any age but most commonly occurs in those between the ages of 15 and 30.

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person but can have a significant impact on your daily life. While they can be constant, symptoms often become either worse (flare-ups) or better (remission) for periods of time. How severe your symptoms are also depends on how much of the large intestine is affected.

The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

  • Diarrhoea, often containing blood, mucus or pus

  • Abdominal pain and cramps

  • Rectal bleeding

  • Frequent and/or urgent bowel movements

  • Extreme fatigue

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

If you are having a flare-up, you may experience additional symptoms elsewhere in your body known as extra-intestinal symptoms. These may include:

  • Pain and swelling in your joints

  • Mouth ulcers

  • Erythema nodosum (swollen fat under the skin which causes bumps)

  • Irritation and redness of your eyes

  • Bone issues such as osteoporosis

What causes ulcerative colitis?

The cause of ulcerative colitis is complex and involves many factors but it is thought to be an autoimmune condition – instead of protecting your body against infection, your immune system mistakenly attacks the body, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

Exactly why this happens is not yet clear, but experts suggest that it could be down to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

For most people, there is no obvious trigger for their flare-ups. However, it’s thought that a gut infection could be a cause, and stress may also be a factor.

How is ulcerative colitis diagnosed?

A gastroenterologist can make a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis based on an assessment of your symptoms and the results of testing. Tests that may be required include blood tests, stool samples, an MRI or CT scan and a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. These will help to rule out any other conditions or health issues so that a definitive diagnosis can be made.


Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Colonoscopy

What are the treatment options for ulcerative colitis?

There’s no cure for ulcerative colitis but there are treatment options available that can help manage your symptoms.

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be prescribed certain medications to help reduce inflammation in your large intestine and to help induce and maintain remission. These medications reduce swelling and irritation in order to allow the tissue in your colon and rectum to heal, relieving symptoms of pain and diarrhoea. These medications need to be taken continually, even once symptoms have eased, in order to keep the condition under control.

Surgery may be required if medicines are not effective. One surgical option is called ileoanal reservoir surgery. This is where an internal pouch is created and connected to your anus so that stool will collect in the reservoir and be passed through the anus during bowel movements.

In cases where a pouch cannot be created, a type of surgery called an ileostomy may be needed. This is where some or all of your colon is removed and the small intestine is diverted out of an opening in your abdomen (stoma). In some cases, the stoma is temporary and can be closed up once your bowel has healed.


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Overview

Symptoms

Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, urge...

Causes

Tests

Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, MRI scan, CT scan

Treatment

Medication, surgery

Ulcerative Colitis Specialists

We have brought together a group of leading colorectal and general surgeons and gastroenterologists to create our Digestive Health team. With over 300 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.

Mr Jonathan Wilson

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General Surgery, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Colonoscopy, Groin Hernias, Hernia Repair, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Gallstones, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Changes in Bowel Habit, Rectal Bleeding, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Prolapse, Pilonidal Disease.

Mr Alexander Von Roon

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Proctology, Complex Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Intestinal Failure, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Haemorrhoids, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Colonic Polyps, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Pilonidal Sinus, Inguinal Hernia, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Skin Lesions, Femoral Hernia.

Professor Paris Tekkis

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colorectal Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), HIV-related Anal Pathology, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Surgery Centre, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal fissure, Diverticular Disease, Haemorrhoids, Small Bowel Cancer, Recurrent Pelvic Cancer.

Dr Deepak Suri

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Liver Disease, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Colonoscopy, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Bowel Cancer Screening, Liver, Gastroscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Fibroscan, Abdominal Pain, Liver Cirrhosis, Abnormal Liver Function, Dyspepsia, Changes in Bowel Habit, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Rectal Bleeding, Dysphagia, Globus, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease.

Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, HIV-related Anal Pathology, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colorectal Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding.

Ms Sarah Mills

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal Fistula, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Colonoscopy, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Haemorrhoids, Anal fissure, Rectal Prolapse, Faecal Incontinence, Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

Mr James Kinross

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colorectal Surgery, Abdominal Resection, Bowel Diversion Surgery, Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery, Gut Microbiome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Appendicectomy, Complex Hernia Surgery, Anal Fistula, Faecal Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Appendicitis, Bowel Obstruction, Robotic Surgery.

Dr Jason Dunn

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Specialist expertise: Barrett’s Oesophagus, Bowel Disease, Gastroenterology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Colonic Polyps, Diarrhoea, Abdominal Pain, Lynch Syndrome, Dyspepsia, Constipation, Acid Reflux, HALO Radiofrequency Ablation, Indigestion, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, Colonoscopy, Nutrition, Globus, Trans Nasal Endoscopy.

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