Finding it difficult to keep up with ulcerative colitis lingo? This glossary breaks down the must-know medical terms to keep you in the loop.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and the rectum become inflamed. This inflammation produces tiny sores or ulcers within the lining of the colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It rarely affects the small intestine beyond the lower portion.
Discover the terms people use to talk about ulcerative colitis.
A group of medications, also called 5-ASAs, used to treat inflammation of the gut or IBD. Also commonly used to treat and prevent UC flare-ups and maintain remission.
A disease in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own healthy cells and tissues.
X-ray exam for helping doctors detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine.
A procedure that removes a sample of tissue to find out more about a disease or condition.
Pressure from gas that builds up in the stomach and intestines, intermittently expanding the abdomen and making you feel full.
The last major portion of the intestinal tract. Also known as the large intestine.
Exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum. A tiny video camera attached to a long, flexible, lighted tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon.
Imaging that combines a series of X-rays taken from different angles with computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues inside your body.
Difficulty or issues with emptying the bowels, often a result of hardened stool that becomes painful to pass.
A type of medication that can be used short term to control symptoms during a flare.
Serious inflammatory condition that can affect the entire digestive tract, from mouth to anus. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, bloody stools, and ulcers.
Usually associated with a prostate exam in males. It can also be used when examining the rectum to feel for signs of hemorrhoids, polyps, or tumors.
Term to describe those forms of UC involving the rectum and colon up to the mid portion of the descending colon, otherwise known as the left colon. May also be referred to as left-sided colitis.
Common condition of the digestive system that causes inflammation and infection of a small outpouching of the colon, called a diverticulum. When not inflamed, the condition is known as diverticulosis.
Term for an outpouching, or a hollow or a fluid-filled structure of an organ.
Exam in which a healthcare professional looks within the digestive tract using an endoscope, or a lighted instrument with a camera. It can help a doctor evaluate, diagnose, and treat certain conditions within the digestive system.
Test that indirectly measures the degree of inflammation in the body.
Atypical connection or tunnel between an organ, vessel, or intestine and another structure, often resulting in pain, discomfort, and infection.
The sudden appearance or worsening of a condition’s or disease’s symptoms, also known as a flare-up.
Procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of the rectum and the lower colon using a lighted camera.
Large organ system, going from the mouth to the anus, that’s responsible for consumption, digestion, absorption of nutrients, and expulsion of waste.
Swollen and inflamed veins within the rectum and around the anus. When aggravated, they are painful and itchy and may also bleed.
Swollen, irritated, or painful tissue that can occur anywhere in the body in response to irritation, infection, or injury.
Group of inflammatory diseases affecting the GI tract, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Portion of the GI tract that carries food and waste from the stomach to the rectum. The intestinal tract contains both the small intestine and the large intestine (colon).
A type of treatment that helps lower inflammation in the gut to improve disease activity and ease symptoms.
A diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the body’s soft tissue and bones.
Type of UC that affects the entire colon. Potentially serious complications include massive bleeding and acute dilation of the colon, which may lead to a perforation (opening) in the bowel wall.
Growth in the intestinal lining that can be noncancerous, precancerous, or cancerous. Your doctor might remove polyps during a colonoscopy.
Live bacteria and yeast that add to the good bacteria of your colon. Typically found in the body, but also in supplements and foods like yogurt and kefir.
The S-shaped curve of the lower part of the large intestine that connects the descending colon and the rectum.
Series of tests performed on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract.
Used to describe the constant feeling of needing to empty the bowel, accompanied by involuntary straining efforts, pain, and cramping with little or no fecal output. Often confused with constipation.
A life threatening complication associated with IBD. Toxic megacolon is a sudden dilation (widening) of the large intestine, making it ineffective as an organ. It requires immediate medical attention and hospitalization for treatment.
Form of UC in which bowel inflammation is limited to the rectum.