Ulcerative colitis, a chronicinflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by inflammation of the colon and rectum.
The gastrointestinal symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary, depending where the inflammation exists and its severity.
Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate disease.Its management depends on how active the disease is.
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Mild ulcerative colitis means that the activity of the disease is typically mild and can come and go.
Many patients who receive treatment shortly after they are diagnosed will see significant improvement.
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Causes
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown.
Symptoms
Patients with mild ulcerative colitis may experience a variety of symptoms duringflare-ups.
These symptoms may include:
Mild ulcerative colitis can mean less severe inflammation or a lesser extent of disease.
For patients, it means experiencing less intense symptoms than more severe cases of ulcerative colitis.
The further the inflammation is spread in the intestine, the more symptoms beyond gastrointestinal symptoms may appear.
Most patients with mild ulcerative colitis are at low risk for colectomy and useoral medicationsto manage the disease.
Continued treatment can help prolong remission without a relapse or flare-up of ulcerative colitis.
Most people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis are able to lead normal lives with a typical lifespan.
If youve been diagnosed with mild ulcerative colitis, you may be feeling anxious and stressed.
Symptoms of an inflammatory bowel disease may be distressing, physically and mentally.
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