| Definition |
A serious disease that causes inflammation (swelling, redness, pain, and warmth) and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the colon and rectum, increases the risk of colon cancer, and can cause death. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, loss of body fluids and nutrients, and joint pain. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). |