Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that affects a small percentage of people worldwide. Currently, there is much debate regarding the causes of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis, also known as UC, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that can cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The disease is most often characterized by symptoms of abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea. Like other forms of inflammatory bowel diseases, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be debilitating, and in some cases the disease can lead to various complications that can be life threatening. The disease affects the innermost lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon, and the rectum. The disease only occurs through continuous stretches of the colon, unlike Crohn's disease, which can appear in patches anywhere along the digestive tract and can spread deeper into the layers of affected tissues. There is no known cure for the disease, and the causes of ulcerative colitis are still a topic of great debate among experts.

At the present time, no one is entirely sure what causes ulcerative colitis. Studies have shown, however, a few things that do not trigger the disease. Though professionals once thought that stress was the main cause of ulcerative colitis, today researchers no longer think that this is the case. Studies have shown that stress can work to aggravate the symptoms of UC in those who already have the disease. Recent studies have linked the potential causes of ulcerative colitis to heredity or immune system problems. Scientists suspect a genetic link among US sufferers because it has been proven that you are more likely to develop the disease if a parent or sibling has it. Some also think that a bacterium or virus can trigger the disease. When the immune system tries to fight off the virus or bacterium, the digestive tract becomes inflamed. It may also be possible that the inflammation can occur as a result of an autoimmune reaction during which the body begins an immune response even though there is no pathogen present.

Although a cure is currently unknown, there are several treatment options for those living with ulcer colitis. Speak with your doctor for more information on how you can have more symptom free days.