ULCERATIVE COLITIS? ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC) 101 a BASIC GUIDE up to of People with UC Have a Blood Relative 20% Who Has IBD

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WHO GETS ULCERATIVE COLITIS? ULCERATIVE COLITIS (UC) 101 A BASIC GUIDE UP TO of people with UC have a blood relative 20% who has IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic APPROXIMATELY inflammatory bowel disease 900,000 PEOPLE (IBD) characterized by IN THE UNITED STATES inflammation of the large ARE AFFECTED BY intestine (colon and rectum). ULCERATIVE COLITIS • It is not caused by food • It is not contagious • The exact cause is unknown

AFFECTS MEN AND WOMEN EQUALLY SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: Frequent recurring diarrhea, rectal bleeding, Usually diagnosed between ages unexplained weight loss, fever, abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue and a feeling of low 15-35 energy, reduced appetite, tenesmus (sudden YEARS OLD and constant feeling to move your bowels). WHAT CAUSES UC? Other facts about symptoms: • The exact cause is unknown • Inflammation plays a role in your symptoms • It is not caused by something a person has done • Symptoms range from mild to severe or eaten • It is believed to be a combination of:

UC GENETICS CAN ALSO AFFECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THE ENVIRONMENT Eyes Skin Joints UC IS BELIEVED TO BE AN OVERREACTION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

UC IS UC TREATMENT

UNPREDICTABLE • Because ulcerative colitis is chronic, ongoing treatment is required • Varies between periods when disease is active, or flaring, • There are many different kinds of medications and when it is in remission (few or no symptoms) available • Varies from person to person and may change over time • People with UC should work with their doctor to • When ulcerative colitis is flaring, symptoms may make it create a treatment plan and set treatment goals difficult to keep to a usual routine