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UC GlossaryUlcerative colitis termsBelow you'll find a list of commonly used, easy-to-understand terms that are defined in the context of ulcerative colitis. You may want to print this list and keep it as a handy reference. Abdomen - The region of the body which contains the stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Abdominal pain - A common symptom of ulcerative colitis. It may also be described as cramping in the lower abdominal region. It can vary in intensity and duration. Anemia - Any condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of red blood cells are lower than normal. Some people with ulcerative colitis may have anemia due to loss of blood through bloody diarrhea. Anus - The opening at the lower end of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where solid waste is eliminated from the body. Barium - A liquid that is taken orally or rectally and allows a doctor to see the small intestines and/or large bowel on an X-ray. Barium enema - A procedure that includes delivering liquid barium to the rectum and colon so the area can be seen on an X-ray. Biopsy - The process of removing tissue from the body for closer examination. Using a special attachment to a flexible lighted tube (endoscope), a doctor may take a small sample during an examination of the rectum and colon. A biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or to periodically monitor for the possibility of other conditions, such as cancer. Bowel - The small and large intestines. Cecum - first part of the large intestine, located below the terminal ileum. Colectomy - Surgical removal of part, or all, of the colon. Colon - (Also called the large intestine) The part of the gastrointestinal tract that extends from the cecum to the rectum. The colon includes the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon. Colonoscopy - An examination of the colon using a lighted, flexible tube (colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. A colonoscopy allows a doctor to see the inside of the colon. Colorectal - Of the rectum and colon. Cramping - Intermittent abdominal pain that may vary in intensity. Crohn's disease - A chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which inflammation can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (from the mouth to rectum) but most commonly occurs in the small and/or large intestines. Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include diarrhea and abdominal pain/cramping. Diarrhea - Abnormal bowel movements of increased frequency and/or looser than normal consistency; a common symptom of ulcerative colitis. Digestive tract - The system of the body that digests food. Food is chewed and swallowed before it travels down the esophagus to the stomach. Once there, enzymes and stomach acids mix with the food. Then, in the small intestine, enzymes break the foods down further and help the body absorb what it needs from them. The colon then reabsorbs salts and fluids, as well as stores waste, which is later eliminated through the rectum. Edema - Build-up of excessive amounts of fluid in tissue, most noticeably in ankles and hands. Although uncommon, some people with ulcerative colitis experience edema. Endoscopy - A procedure that involves any examination of the rectum and/or colon. Depending on the area being examined, the procedure may be called a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. For these procedures, a lighted, flexible tube (endoscope) is used to examine the colon and/or rectum. Enzyme, digestive - Proteins produced by the body that aid in the digestion of food. Esophagus - The part of the digestive tract that connects the mouth to the stomach. Food travels through the esophagus to the stomach. Exacerbation - The worsening of disease symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. Flare-up - Periods during a disease in which symptoms are typically experienced. Gastroenterologist - A doctor trained to treat people with disorders of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine (rectum and colon). Gastroenterologists are also trained to treat diseases of the liver and pancreas. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract - Organs that are part of the digestive tract, which include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine (rectum and colon). Gastrointestinal ulcer - A red, inflamed, shallow sore produced by the destruction of the mucous membrane (inner lining of the digestive tract). These can occur in the stomach, colon and/or rectum. Gut - Intestine or bowel. Hemoglobin - Part of the red blood cell that contains iron and carries oxygen. Hemorrhoids - Enlarged veins inside and/or outside the rectum and/or anus that may be painful and/or bleed. Ileostomy - A surgical procedure in which an opening is constructed through the abdominal wall into the terminal ileum (the last part of the small intestine). Incontinence - Inability to control evacuation of urine or feces. Inflammation - Redness, heat, swelling or pain that indicates an injury to tissue. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - A chronic, inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two types of IBD. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - A condition of the bowel and/or rectum where a person experiences a series of symptoms, such as lower abdominal pain/spasms, diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Large intestine - The colon and rectum. Lower endoscopy - An examination of the rectum and/or lower portion of the colon using a lighted, flexible tube (colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. Mucus - A white-coloured excretion produced by the intestine that may be a symptom of ulcerative colitis. Peritoneum - The thin layer of connective tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs of the abdomen. Rectal bleeding - The passage of varying amounts of blood through the rectum. Rectum - The last part of the digestive tract where waste is eliminated. Remission - The time between flare-ups of ulcerative colitis when people may experience few, mild or no symptoms. Periods of remission vary in duration, anywhere from a matter of days to a number of years. Resection - Surgical removal of a diseased portion of intestine. Sigmoid - The S-shaped part of the colon, before the rectum. Sigmoidoscopy - A procedure consisting of inserting a lighted, flexible tube (endoscope) into the rectum to view the sigmoid colon. Small intestine - The part of the intestine located between the stomach and colon where nutrients are absorbed. Stomach - The organ located between the esophagus and the small intestine where digestion of food occurs before passing to the small intestine. Tenesmus - Painful, long-continued and ineffective straining at stool Ulcer - See gastrointestinal ulcer. Ulcerative colitis - A chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. People with this condition alternate between having flare-ups and periods of remission throughout their lives.
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