Important facts about UC

UC is part of a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). UC is a chronic, or long-term, condition that causes inflammation in the large intestine (colon and rectum) that can lead to symptoms over time.

Common UC symptoms include:

Sudden accidents

Sudden accidents — Your gastroenterologist may also use the term “urgency” to describe not being able to wait to use a bathroom.

Abdominal pain

Frequent bathroom trips

Bloody stools

Fatigue

Chronic inflammation can cause colon lining damage

A colon lining visibly damaged by inflammation seen by endoscopy

A colon lining visibly damaged by inflammation seen by endoscopy

Inflammation is your body’s normal response to protect against something your immune system thinks will cause harm. When chronic inflammation caused by your immune system doesn’t go away, it leads to more than just symptoms—it damages the colon lining.

Compare images of UC damage and visible colon lining repair.*

Colon lining – This inner layer is called the epithelial tissue, which is found throughout the body. It protects your body’s organs, as well as performs secretory, transport, and absorption functions.

*Areas that were visually assessed may not represent repair of the entire colon lining.

What causes UC?

The exact cause of UC is unknown, but it can be influenced by many different factors, including a person’s immune system, genetics, or other environmental factors.

When UC is inadequately controlled

If your symptoms continue to come back or won’t go away completely, it could mean that your current UC treatment isn’t working. Inadequately controlled UC also means that inflammation remains in the colon causing damage, even if your symptoms are not at their worst.

Over the long term, uncontrolled inflammation of the colon lining can increase the chance of developing serious health risks—including the increased risk of colon cancer.

Ask your gastroenterologist about regular endoscopy checks to help with management of ulcerative colitis and to detect problems early.

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UC treatment options

Learn about treatment options and talk to your gastroenterologist about which may be right for you.

Watch clip: “I had gotten so used to my UC symptoms”

ETHAN:

They put me on infusions, and it, it wasn’t, it wasn’t bad, but I didn't, like, really get that much symptom relief. But, like, I had gotten so used to having these symptoms, and it became so normal for me that every time my doctor would ask me like, oh, “How do you feel?” or like, "How's it going?" Every appointment I would be like, oh, I feel so much better.

KATIE:

Yeah.

ETHAN:

I feel so much better. And so, I didn’t realize that it could actually get under control.

ON SCREEN TEXT:

See how Ethan took charge of his UC.

I didn’t realize it could actually get under control

ETHAN, moderate to severe UC patient

UC shouldn’t take charge of your life

If your UC symptoms are getting in the way of day-to-day activities, it may be time to talk to your gastroenterologist about different ulcerative colitis medications.

Choosing the right UC treatment for you depends in part on what you’re looking to achieve. Consider treatment options that go beyond symptom relief to help you pursue lasting, steroid-free remission and visible colon lining repair.

Understand the importance of setting proactive Goals for UC Treatment >

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RINVOQ UC clinical study results won’t back down

neither

should you.