Key takeaways
- Ulcerative colitis progression varies among individuals, with some experiencing mild symptoms and others having more severe disease. Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to complications such as strictures, fistulas, and an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Regular monitoring through colonoscopies and other tests is essential to assess disease activity and adjust your treatment plan if symptoms change. Early treatment can help control symptoms and prevent complications.
- Symptoms may become more frequent and severe as UC progresses. It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen, treatments are ineffective, or new symptoms develop. Personalized treatment approaches are key to managing the disease long term.
UC causes inflammation and sores in the rectum, colon, or both. This may lead to
Treatments are available to help you manage UC symptoms, but it’s possible to experience more frequent and severe symptoms as the condition progresses. You may also experience inflammation in other parts of the body.
Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if your symptoms worsen, you don’t notice any relief with treatments, or you develop new symptoms.
A doctor may order diagnostic tests to monitor inflammation and check for changes in your condition. They may also recommend changes to your treatment plan if:
- your current treatment is not effectively limiting inflammation and symptoms
- your condition progresses
- you develop complications
Learn more in this progression guide to understand how UC may affect you over time.
