Ulcerative colitis (UC): Possible causes and risk factors
Shedding light on the possible causes of UC
There are many factors associated with UC, but no definite cause. It affects males and females equally. Most people are diagnosed between their late teens and early 30s, but it can occur at any age.
Ulcerative colitis may not be caused by stress, but many find that their anxiety over having the condition can worsen their symptoms. Another factor that may make symptoms worse is food. While it's not clear what relationship food has to UC, some patients believe that certain foods act as a trigger.
But what exactly is UC? Most healthcare professionals think UC is a type of autoimmune reaction in which the immune system mistakes food, helpful bacteria, and other materials in the colon for harmful invaders. The result? The immune system sends white blood cells to attack substances in the colon, which causes inflammation and other symptoms of UC.
Some possible UC risk factors include:
- Family history—up to 20% of people with UC have an immediate relative with UC
- Environmental factors—some research suggests that environmental factors, such as industrialization, urban settings, and northern geographical latitudes, may be related to differences in rates of UC
- Ethnicity—there is a higher rate of UC among whites than non-whites, and Jewish people of Eastern European descent are also at greater risk
Your doctor is your best source of information for anything you do not understand about your disease, so do not hesitate to ask about any subject relating to your condition.
Bringing real answers to life
While research continues to look for UC causes and a cure, treatment options are available to help manage symptoms. APRISO’s once-daily extended-release formula has been shown to be effective in helping adults maintain UC remission for up to 6 months.