UC is a chronic immune response disease
That means your immune system is at battle with the cells of your intestines, which leads to uncontrolled inflammation and symptoms.
UC usually starts in the rectum
After starting in the rectum, the disease can advance consistently throughout the entire colon.
UC can cause damage
Without proper treatment, even if you are not experiencing symptoms, UC can cause your intestinal lining to become dry, brittle, and inflamed as the disease progresses. Small sores may develop.
UC is a progressive disease
Most often, the disease can get worse over time without proper treatment.
It's important to find a treatment that can help control your symptoms and start to improve the appearance of your intestinal lining.
The symptoms of UC may include:
- Loose and urgent bowel movements
- Bloody stool
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Rectal pain
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Inability to defecate despite urgency
- Loose and urgent bowel movements
- Bloody stool
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Rectal pain
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Inability to defecate despite urgency
What Causes Pediatric UC?
While the direct cause of pediatric UC is unknown, here's what we do know:
Pediatric UC symptoms begin when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the intestines for reasons we do not yet fully understand
A child's risk is higher when there is a close relative who has UC, such as a parent or sibling
Your child may be more likely to have UC if it's part of your family's medical history
A nutritious diet can support growth and development for children with UC
UC can occur at any age; however, it is more common in people between the ages of 15 and 30 and less common in people between 50 and 70 years of age
How Is UC Treated?
Biologics
Biologics are medications that are genetically engineered from products of living organisms, such as proteins, genes, or antibodies. They target enzymes and proteins that may cause inflammation. By controlling inflammation in the intestine, biologics can help patients achieve and maintain remission or periods of few or no symptoms. For many patients, biologics are a safe and effective treatment for managing UC, but there are risks that you should discuss with your doctor.
Pharmaceuticals
Aminosalicylates (5-ASA, mesalamine)
Immune modifiers (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, others)*
Steroids (prednisone, budesonide, others)
*Not all medications used to treat UC are approved by the US FDA for the treatment of UC.
US FDA, United States Food and Drug Administration.