Colitis, Ulcerative / Disease

Diseases & Conditions

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Colitis, Ulcerative

Synonyms of Colitis, Ulcerative

Chronic Non-Specific Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis Gravis
Idiopathic Non-Specific Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis Type
Proctocolitis, Idiopathic

Disorder Subdivisions

General Discussion
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause. It is characterized by chronic inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the major portion of the large intestine (colon). In most affected individuals, the lowest region of the large intestine, known as the rectum, is initially affected. As the disease progresses, some or all of the colon may become involved. Although associated symptoms and findings usually become apparent during adolescence or young adulthood, some individuals may experience an initial episode between age 50 to 70. In other cases, symptom onset may occur as early as the first year of life.

Ulcerative colitis is usually a chronic disease with repeated episodes of symptoms and remission (relapsing-remitting). However, some affected individuals may have few episodes, whereas others may have severe, continuous symptoms. During an episode, affected individuals may experience attacks of watery diarrhea that may contain pus, blood, and/or mucus; abdominal pain; fever and chills; weight loss; and/or other symptoms and findings. In severe cases, individuals may be at risk for certain serious complications. For example, severe inflammation and ulceration may result in thinning of the wall of the colon, causing tearing (perforation) of the colon and potentially life-threatening complications. In addition, in some cases, individuals with the disorder may eventually develop more generalized (systemic) symptoms, such as certain inflammatory skin or eye conditions; inflammation, pain, and swelling of certain joints (arthritis); chronic inflammation of the liver (chronic active hepatitis); and/or other findings.

The specific underlying cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. However, genetic, immunologic, infectious, and/or psychologic factors are thought to play some causative role.

Organizations related to Colitis, Ulcerative

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe MI 48021
Phone #: 586-776-3900
800 #: 800-598-4668
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
AutoImmunity Community
None
None None None
Phone #: (91-9) -552-9057
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org
Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick NJ 08723
Phone #: 732-664-9259
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.aininc.org
CORE
3 St. Andrews Place
London None NW1 4LB
Phone #: 020- 74-86 0341
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.corecharity.org.uk
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
386 Park Avenue South
New York NY 10016-9804
Phone #: 212-685-3440
800 #: 800-932-2423
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.ccfa.org
Erythema Nodosum Yahoo Support Group
None
None None None
Phone #: N/A
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/erythema_nodosum_Group/
European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Hertogenbosch None 5200 ME's
Phone #: +31- 73--6992965
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.esid.org
Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation
70 East Lake Street
Chicago IL 60601-5907
Phone #: 312-332-1350
800 #: --
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.girf.org
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee WI 53217
Phone #: 414-964-1799
800 #: 888-964-2001
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.iffgd.org
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda MD 20892-3570
Phone #: 301-654-3810
800 #: 800-891-5389
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Pull-Thru Network
2312 Savoy Street
Hoover AL 35226
Phone #: 205-978-2930
800 #: --
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.PullthruNetwork.org
Reach Out for Youth with Ileitis and Colitis, Inc.
84 Northgate Circle
Melville NY 11747
Phone #: 631-293-3102
800 #: --
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.reachoutforyouth.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ? (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html