Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes continuous inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum, usually beginning in the rectum.

Mucosal inflammation: Inflammation affecting the mucosa, the innermost layer lining an organ. Ulcerative colitis primarily injures the colon’s mucosal lining.
Colonoscopy: An examination of the colon and rectum using a flexible camera inserted through the anus. It reveals inflammation, disease extent, and features that may require biopsy.
Crohn's disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract and often involves deeper bowel-wall layers. Unlike ulcerative colitis, it can occur beyond the colon and in separated segments.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis: A chronic disease involving inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. This liver disease is associated with ulcerative colitis and affects cancer surveillance.
Inflammatory bowel disease: A group of chronic disorders characterized by inflammation in the digestive tract, chiefly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is one of the two major forms, with causes that remain incompletely understood.
Colon: The large intestine’s main section, which absorbs water and forms stool. This is the principal site of inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
Biopsy: The removal of a small tissue sample for microscopic examination. Colon biopsies help confirm colitis and distinguish it from other causes of inflammation.
Irritable bowel syndrome: A disorder of gut-brain interaction causing recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without visible intestinal inflammation. Similar symptoms can occur, but it does not cause the ulcers and inflammation of colitis.
Toxic megacolon: A dangerous acute dilation of the colon associated with severe inflammation and systemic illness. It is a rare, life-threatening complication of severe colitis.
Gut microbiota: The community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract. Microbial differences are studied as possible contributors to disease onset and persistence.

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