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What are the Causes of Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that creates painful abdominal symptoms, and can lead to rectal bleeding. There has been a great deal of research done on the causes of ulcerative colitis, and while doctors are still trying to pinpoint the exact causes there are many conditions that seem to bring it about.

  1. Identification

    • Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes lesions known as ulcers begin to form on the walls of the large intestine along with accompanying inflammation. Some of the common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding originating from the rectum. Ulcerative colitis is considered an inflammatory bowel disease, and it is often discussed along with another inflammation of the large intestines known as Crohn's disease. The difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is that ulcerative colitis is confined to the interior lining of the large intestine, while Crohn's disease can appear anywhere in the digestive tract and on the outside of the large intestine.

    Immune System

    • Normally the immune system is set up to defend the body from bacteria and viruses and fend off disease. In the case of ulcerative colitis, the immune system begins to activate as though it is fighting a disease but there is no disease present. The constant activity of the immune system within the large intestine causes inflammation of the intestinal walls and brings on ulcerative colitis. The reason for this activity is unknown.

    Genetics

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, a person is more likely to contract ulcerative colitis if they have direct relatives who have the condition. The condition seems to be more prominent in people with parents or siblings that have it. The gene responsible has not been isolated.

    Stress and Lifestyle

    • It is thought that smoking can eventually causes ulcerative colitis. There was a popular notion that stress is a cause of this condition, but recent scientific studies have shown that stress is not a cause of ulcerative colitis. Stress can make symptoms worse, however.

      Certain foods were thought to cause ulcerative colitis, but this too was proven false. It is possible that certain foods can aggravate ulcerative colitis, but there are no foods that have been found to cause the condition.

    Age

    • The median age for people experiencing ulcerative colitis is about 30 years old, however it has been known to appear in patients older than 60.

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