Patients
Ulcerative Colitis
Understanding
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the colon, or large intestine, that affects more than 500,000 Americans. People with ulcerative colitis can experience a number of symptoms, including severe abdominal cramping and pain, fatigue, and the sudden, uncontrollable urge for bowel movements. With appropriate medical treatment, many people with ulcerative colitis are able to achieve real symptom control.
- Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a term used to describe a number of inflammatory diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. In an inflammatory disorder such as ulcerative colitis, a person’s immune system attacks his or her own tissues.
- Ulcerative colitis typically develops in people between the ages of 15 and 30 and also between the ages of 50 and 70. However, it is possible for anyone at any age to develop ulcerative colitis, from infants to the elderly. REMICADE is indicated for use in adults.
- The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. However, research suggests that ulcerative colitis may result from environmental factors or immune system dysfunction and/or have a genetic component.