Ulcerative Colitis Patient Education Resources
Digestive Health Initiative(R)
About UC
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the lining of the large intestine. Most often ulcerative colitis occurs in young people 15 to 40 years of age. Ulcerative colitis occurs only in the inner lining of the colon (large intestine) or rectum. When it is located only in the rectum, it is called proctitis. Inflammation of the rectum and colon keeps fluid from being resorbed into the bloodstream and results in diarrhea.
The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Some people may be very tired and have weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and loss of body fluids and nutrients. Bleeding may be serious, leading to anemia (low red blood cell count). Joint pain, redness and swelling of the eyes, and liver problems can also occur. No one knows for sure why problems outside the colon are linked with colitis. These problems may improve when the colitis is managed. Ulcerative colitis is an illness that has periods of remission and relapse. Half of the people who have ulcerative colitis have only mild symptoms. Others have frequent bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps.
The AGA Institute has launched this multimedia, Digestive Health Initiative(R) (DHI(R)) educational program to provide access to highly-credible resources on UC aimed at improving patients’ care by making you more knowledgeable about you or your loved one's condition (read the recent press release). These resources will help you understand what's ahead, adapt to living with UC and provide tips for supporting your loved one.
Resources include:
Interactive, multimedia patient webcasts
A unique approach to patient education, each webcast offers you the chance to familiarize yourself with the disease while also understanding the many effective treatment options that are available.What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Watch Video
Read Transcript
Treating Ulcerative Colitis
Watch Video
Read Transcript
Physician-run blog
An opportunity to have direct access to the most up-to-date information on UC through on-going communication between physicians and participants. Read the latest postings today at ucblog.gastro.org.Health University®
An engaging online program for those who want to learn about UC at their own pace. A series of three courses offering expert information. Throughout the course, there are Q&A sections to test what you have learned so far. For maximum convenience, these courses allow you to pause then pick up from where you left off at a later date. Learn more and take a course today!
Useful tools to make talking to your doctor easier
Download these discussion guides and print to bring with you on your next visit with your physician. Each one contains pertinent information including background information on UC and sample questions you can use during your discussion with your health-care provider.Digestive Health Initiative(R)
DHI(R) is an education and outreach program to increase awareness among consumers and the larger health care community about the prevention, early detection and treatment of various digestive health disorders. The content of this program has been developed and is solely controlled by the AGA Institute. David T. Rubin, MD, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, is the project chair. View the full list of faculty.Supported through an educational grant from Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.
