Word parts
What it means
One of the two main kinds of inflammatory bowel diseasein-FLAM-uh-tor-ee BOW-ul dih-ZEEZA group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.Full entry . Inflammation starts in the rectum and spreads up the colon in one continuous stretch, and it stays in the inner lining. It comes in flares and quiet periods and raises the risk of colon cancer over time. Removing the whole colon and rectum cures it, which is not true of Crohn diseasekrohn dih-ZEEZA long-term inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, through the full thickness of its wall.Full entry .
For the nurse
During a flare, track the number and look of stools, watch for dehydration, low potassium and anemia, and report severe belly pain or swelling. Teach the need for regular colonoscopy screening.
Remember it
Ulcerative colitis stays in the colon, continuous, lining only; Crohn disease can be anywhere, in patches, through the wall.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | UC |
|---|---|
| Spanish | colitis ulcerosa |
Easy to confuse with
Crohn disease
A long-term inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, through the full thickness of its wall.
Related terms
col/o
A word root that means colon, the large intestine.
inflammatory bowel disease
A group of long-term diseases, mainly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, in which the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed.
Crohn disease
A long-term inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, through the full thickness of its wall.
colostomy
A surgical opening that brings part of the colon through the belly wall, so stool leaves the body into a pouch.
colectomy
Surgery to remove all or part of the colon.