Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic condition, meaning patients may live with it for life. As the name suggests, it occurs when the colon experiences severe inflammation. Most people with UC go through flare-ups—periods when symptoms are intense—followed by remission. Common symptoms include diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, and weight loss.
To learn more about this condition, Nadormagazine spoke with Maryam, a woman in her mid-thirties who has lived with UC for several years.
Maryam’s Experience
“I was seventeen when I first experienced symptoms of ulcerative colitis, which I knew nothing about at the time. I was suddenly struck with unbearable abdominal pain,” Maryam recalls. “A few weeks prior, I had noticed blood in the toilet, which frightened me.”
She immediately visited a doctor, who initially suspected an anal fissure. However, her mother insisted on further testing. At eighteen, Maryam received her official diagnosis of UC—a chronic condition she had never heard of before.
What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon and rectum, causing superficial ulcers that secrete mucus and pus. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, its causes include immune system dysfunction, genetics, environmental factors, and microbiome imbalances. Normally, inflammation subsides after an infection clears, but in UC, the immune system continues sending white blood cells to the colon, leading to chronic inflammation.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Maryam described her symptoms over the years: “I experienced two years of severe flare-ups, followed by weeks of remission. Symptoms included bleeding, mouth ulcers, fever, joint and abdominal pain, and weight loss. Once, I collapsed in my grandmother’s bathroom from exhaustion and was rushed to the hospital. A colonoscopy showed that the inflammation had spread beyond the rectum to the colon.”
Common UC symptoms include:
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Abdominal pain and cramps
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Diarrhea with blood or pus
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Severe fatigue
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Anemia
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Weight loss and loss of appetite
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Rectal bleeding
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Skin ulcers
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Joint pain
Treatment According to Maryam
Maryam shared: “I started taking prescribed medication, which had difficult side effects at first. Over time, my body adapted, and I enjoyed several years of remission. I completed my studies and even traveled, despite initial fears of flare-ups.”
However, UC can relapse. Maryam continued: “During my first job, new symptoms appeared, and fatigue returned. My medication was no longer effective, and when I stopped it on my own, thinking diet and stress management would suffice, I suffered a severe relapse lasting a year. Eventually, a new treatment plan tailored to my symptoms helped again.”
Currently, there is no cure for UC. Treatments focus on reducing inflammation and prolonging remission. Options include:
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Anti-inflammatory medications
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Immunomodulators
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Biologic therapies
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Lifestyle adjustments: proper diet, psychological support, and regular monitoring
Who Is Most at Risk?
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UC can appear at any age but most commonly begins between 15–30 years.
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Men and women are affected equally, though slightly higher risk exists in older men.
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Having a first-degree relative with UC increases risk.
When to See a Doctor
Early symptoms may seem mild or sudden. Seek medical advice if you experience:
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Severe dizziness
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Profuse bloody diarrhea
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Fever with abdominal pain
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Rapid weight loss
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Signs of dehydrationNeurological symptoms or chest pain require immediate emergency care.
Daily Life and Preventing Complications
Since UC is chronic, treatment aims to control the disease rather than cure it. Patients can reduce risks by:
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Adhering strictly to prescribed medications
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Regular colonoscopy follow-ups
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Avoiding prolonged unsupervised corticosteroid use
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Following a suitable diet
Maryam concluded: “UC doesn’t take away life. Knowledge, planning, and professional and family support make living with it manageable. Stick to your treatment, seek support, and never give up on your dreams.”
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