{"id":5423,"date":"2025-12-09T00:38:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T05:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=5423"},"modified":"2026-01-12T18:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T23:38:38","slug":"ulcerative-colitis","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/ulcerative-colitis\/","title":{"raw":"10p23 Ulcerative Colitis","rendered":"10p23 Ulcerative Colitis"},"content":{"raw":"Ulcerative Colitis: Pathophysiology, Symptoms, and Complications<\/strong>\r\n

Pathophysiology<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Starts in the rectum<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0progresses proximally<\/strong>\u00a0through the colon.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Lesions<\/strong>: Continuous inflammation without skip areas.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Layers affected<\/strong>:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Mucosa<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0submucosa<\/strong>\u00a0(well-vascularized).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Tissue damage<\/strong>:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0develop in the mucosa, coalesce into larger ulcerated regions.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Bleeding<\/strong>\u00a0occurs due to tissue destruction.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Effects on absorption<\/strong>:\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • Damage interferes with the intestine\u2019s ability to\u00a0reabsorb water and electrolytes<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Results in\u00a0profuse diarrhea<\/strong>\u00a0with significant water and electrolyte loss.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Inflammation<\/strong>:\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • Causes\u00a0edema<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0granulation tissue<\/strong>\u00a0formation.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • The inflamed tissue is fragile and prone to bleeding.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Serious Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Toxic megacolon<\/strong>: Severe dilation of the colon.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Bacterial leakage<\/strong>:\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • Due to ulceration, bacteria can infiltrate the bloodstream causing\u00a0septic shock<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Obstructions<\/strong>:\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                • Edema and scarring impair\u00a0peristalsis<\/strong>\u00a0and cause\u00a0bowel obstruction<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Signs and Symptoms<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  • Severe diarrhea<\/strong>: Up to\u00a012 stools\/day<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • Blood in stool<\/strong>:\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    • Black tar<\/strong>\u00a0appearance (melena<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Cramping and tenesmus<\/strong>: Urgency to defecate.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Painful<\/strong>: Significant abdominal discomfort.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Fever<\/strong>: Due to inflammation.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Weight loss<\/strong>: From malabsorption and reduced intake.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • Emotional impact<\/strong>:\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      • House-bound feeling<\/strong>, urgent bathroom needs, and embarrassment.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                        Treatment Strategies<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        • Anti-inflammatory drugs<\/strong>:\r\n
                            \r\n \t
                          • Glucocorticoids<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Immunosuppressants<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Anti-motility agents<\/strong>: To reduce diarrhea.<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • Nutritional support<\/strong>:\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            • Low-residue diet<\/strong>\u00a0(limited fiber to reduce bowel activity).<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Supplements<\/strong>\u00a0as needed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Antimicrobials<\/strong>: For infections or bacterial peritonitis.<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • Surgical resection<\/strong>:\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              • Remove severely damaged colon sections.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • \r\n

                                Psychological support<\/strong>: Coping with chronic illness.<\/h1>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                Risks & Long-term Management<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                • Cancer risk<\/strong>:\r\n
                                    \r\n \t
                                  • Increased risk of\u00a0colorectal cancer<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  • Monitoring<\/strong>: Regular screening for dysplasia or malignancy.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                    Comparison: Crohn\u2019s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis Table \u2013 add here<\/strong><\/h1>","rendered":"

                                    Ulcerative Colitis: Pathophysiology, Symptoms, and Complications<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                    Pathophysiology<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                      \n
                                    • Starts in the rectum<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0progresses proximally<\/strong>\u00a0through the colon.<\/li>\n
                                    • Lesions<\/strong>: Continuous inflammation without skip areas.<\/li>\n
                                    • Layers affected<\/strong>:\n
                                        \n
                                      • Mucosa<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0submucosa<\/strong>\u00a0(well-vascularized).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                      • Tissue damage<\/strong>:\n
                                          \n
                                        • Ulcers<\/strong>\u00a0develop in the mucosa, coalesce into larger ulcerated regions.<\/li>\n
                                        • Bleeding<\/strong>\u00a0occurs due to tissue destruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                        • Effects on absorption<\/strong>:\n
                                            \n
                                          • Damage interferes with the intestine\u2019s ability to\u00a0reabsorb water and electrolytes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                          • Results in\u00a0profuse diarrhea<\/strong>\u00a0with significant water and electrolyte loss.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                          • Inflammation<\/strong>:\n
                                              \n
                                            • Causes\u00a0edema<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0granulation tissue<\/strong>\u00a0formation.<\/li>\n
                                            • The inflamed tissue is fragile and prone to bleeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              Serious Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                                \n
                                              • Toxic megacolon<\/strong>: Severe dilation of the colon.<\/li>\n
                                              • Bacterial leakage<\/strong>:\n
                                                  \n
                                                • Due to ulceration, bacteria can infiltrate the bloodstream causing\u00a0septic shock<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                • Obstructions<\/strong>:\n
                                                    \n
                                                  • Edema and scarring impair\u00a0peristalsis<\/strong>\u00a0and cause\u00a0bowel obstruction<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    Signs and Symptoms<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    • Severe diarrhea<\/strong>: Up to\u00a012 stools\/day<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Blood in stool<\/strong>:\n
                                                        \n
                                                      • Black tar<\/strong>\u00a0appearance (melena<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                      • Cramping and tenesmus<\/strong>: Urgency to defecate.<\/li>\n
                                                      • Painful<\/strong>: Significant abdominal discomfort.<\/li>\n
                                                      • Fever<\/strong>: Due to inflammation.<\/li>\n
                                                      • Weight loss<\/strong>: From malabsorption and reduced intake.<\/li>\n
                                                      • Emotional impact<\/strong>:\n
                                                          \n
                                                        • House-bound feeling<\/strong>, urgent bathroom needs, and embarrassment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          Treatment Strategies<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          • Anti-inflammatory drugs<\/strong>:\n
                                                              \n
                                                            • Glucocorticoids<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                                            • Immunosuppressants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                            • Anti-motility agents<\/strong>: To reduce diarrhea.<\/li>\n
                                                            • Nutritional support<\/strong>:\n
                                                                \n
                                                              • Low-residue diet<\/strong>\u00a0(limited fiber to reduce bowel activity).<\/li>\n
                                                              • Supplements<\/strong>\u00a0as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                              • Antimicrobials<\/strong>: For infections or bacterial peritonitis.<\/li>\n
                                                              • Surgical resection<\/strong>:\n
                                                                  \n
                                                                • Remove severely damaged colon sections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                                • \n

                                                                  Psychological support<\/strong>: Coping with chronic illness.<\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                  Risks & Long-term Management<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                                                    \n
                                                                  • Cancer risk<\/strong>:\n
                                                                      \n
                                                                    • Increased risk of\u00a0colorectal cancer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                                                                    • Monitoring<\/strong>: Regular screening for dysplasia or malignancy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                      Comparison: Crohn\u2019s Disease vs. Ulcerative Colitis Table \u2013 add here<\/strong><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":26,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["zoe-soon"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[60],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-5423","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","contributor-zoe-soon","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":67,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5577,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5423\/revisions\/5577"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/67"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5423\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=5423"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=5423"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=5423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}