Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease in which the immune system attacks the colon lining, causing continuous inflammation starting in the rectum and extending upward. It can lead to diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and urgency, with periods of flares and remission. Other types of colitis include infectious, ischemic, microscopic, and medication-related forms.
Symptoms often include diarrhea, urgency, blood or mucus in stool, and abdominal cramping, with severity ranging from mild to severe.
Call the office if you have persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency, or abdominal pain, especially with known colitis or a family history of IBD. Report flares early so treatment can be adjusted.
Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, high fever, profuse bleeding, signs of dehydration, or a sudden worsening of symptoms, as severe colitis can lead to serious complications.
Evaluation includes blood and stool tests and almost always colonoscopy with biopsies to confirm inflammation pattern, exclude infection, and distinguish ulcerative colitis from other types of colitis.
Treatment aims to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications. It may include aminosalicylates, steroids, immunomodulators, biologic therapies, and, in some cases, surgery.
Si su seguro exige una remisión o una autorización previa, nuestra oficina de facturación hará todo lo posible por obtenerla antes de que se presten los servicios. Si decide continuar sin la autorización requerida, es posible que el seguro deniegue la cobertura. Si es usted un paciente de Medicare, es posible que se le pida que firme un Aviso Previo al Beneficiario (ABN) en el que reconozca su responsabilidad financiera en caso de que el seguro no pague. Si está afiliado a un plan de seguro privado, se le pedirá que firme un formulario de servicios no cubiertos.