SNP Shot: Genomic Insights

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term illness that impacts the digestive tract. It's defined by unusual inflammation of the inner lining of the rectum and colon, which constitute the majority of the large intestine. This inflammation typically leads to the formation of open sores, called ulcers, within the large intestine. While ulcerative colitis usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, it can occur at any point in life. The inflammation tends to recur throughout a person's life, resulting in repeated signs and symptoms.

The most frequent symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps, and frequent diarrhea, often containing blood, pus, or mucus. Additional symptoms can include nausea, decreased appetite, tiredness, and fever. The chronic bleeding from the inflamed and ulcerated intestinal tissue can lead to anemia (a lack of red blood cells) in some individuals. Individuals with ulcerative colitis may struggle to absorb sufficient fluids and nutrients from their food, frequently resulting in weight loss. Children with the condition often experience slower growth than expected. In less common instances, ulcerative colitis can cause issues affecting the skin, joints, eyes, kidneys, or liver, likely due to abnormal inflammation.

A rare but potentially life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis is toxic megacolon. This involves the colon becoming abnormally enlarged and experiencing a severe bacterial infection (sepsis). Ulcerative colitis also elevates the risk of colon cancer, particularly for those with inflammation throughout their entire colon and those who have had ulcerative colitis for at least eight years.

Ulcerative colitis is a common type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease is another type of IBD that also leads to chronic intestinal inflammation. In contrast to ulcerative colitis, which only affects the inner surface of the large intestine, Crohn's disease can cause inflammation in any part of the digestive system, and it penetrates deeper into the intestinal tissues.

Inheritance:

The inheritance pattern of ulcerative colitis remains unclear because it likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Although the exact inheritance pattern is not fully understood, having a family member with ulcerative colitis increases the likelihood of developing the condition.