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Ulcerative
Colitis

Health made easier to understand.

Your all-in-one guide to understanding ulcerative colitis. Jump to any of the 5 sections below, scroll at your own pace, or tap a dropdown to dig in.

Want to go deeper? Check out the ulcerative colitis topic hub for even more — from causes and treatment to life at school and beyond.

Section 1

Understand Ulcerative Colitis

Learn what UC is, how it differs from other gut conditions, and how common it is. Includes quick-flip review cards and flashcard explanations of key diagnostic tests like colonoscopy, CT scan, and capsule endoscopy.

📚 Ulcerative Colitis Quick Review Cards

Ulcerative Colitis Quick Review

Tap a card to open. Short answers made for phones.

Getting To Know Ulcerative Colitis

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Autoimmune inflammation in the large intestine
  • ulcerative colitis is a chronic autoimmune disease.
  • It causes inflammation in the large intestine.
  • The large intestine includes the colon, rectum, and ends at the anus.
  • The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue there.

What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?

A mix of genes, gut bacteria, and environment
  • The exact cause is unknown.
  • It develops from genetics, gut bacteria changes, and environmental factors.
  • Nothing you did caused ulcerative colitis.

Is Ulcerative Colitis Contagious?

Autoimmune, not an infection
  • No. ulcerative colitis is not contagious.
  • It is an autoimmune disease, not a germ you can catch.
  • It cannot spread from person to person.

Can Teens With Ulcerative Colitis Live Healthy Lives?

Yes, with good care and support
  • Yes. With good care, most teens manage ulcerative colitis well.
  • Understanding your symptoms and treatment helps you stay active and healthy.
  • Sticking to your plan builds confidence and control.

Ulcerative Colitis And Other Gut Conditions

What Are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)?

A group of conditions that inflame the intestines
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases are conditions that affect the intestinal tract.
  • They cause inflammation in parts of the digestive system.
  • ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two main types.

How Is Ulcerative Colitis Different From Crohn’s Disease?

Both are inflammatory bowel diseases, but they act differently
  • Both belong to the group of inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • ulcerative colitis affects only the large intestine and the inflammation is continuous.
  • Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and often causes patchy and deeper inflammation.

How Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Different From Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Different condition, different treatment
  • Irritable bowel syndrome is not an autoimmune disease.
  • It does not cause inflammation of the intestines.
  • It usually causes alternating constipation and diarrhea.
  • The main problem is extra sensitivity of the nerves and muscles that move food through the gut.

How Many People Are Affected

How Common Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) In Children And Teens?

More common than it may seem
  • About 10 out of every 100.000 children and teens in the United States have an inflammatory bowel disease.
  • ulcerative colitis affects about 2 to 4 out of every 100.000 teens aged 10 to 19.

Are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) Becoming More Common?

Yes, especially in young people
  • Yes. Between 2007 and 2016, inflammatory bowel disease in children and teens increased by about 133 percent.
  • The average age at diagnosis is getting lower, with more children and younger teens now affected.

When Does Ulcerative Colitis Usually Start?

More cases are now diagnosed before age 20
  • ulcerative colitis used to be diagnosed most often in adults.
  • Now about 20 percent of inflammatory bowel disease cases are diagnosed before age 20.
  • Symptoms can build slowly over time or start suddenly and strongly.
🔬 Diagnostic Tests ⌄
🩻 CT Scan
💊 Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam)
🔊 Ultrasound
📹 Gastroscopy
📹 Colonoscopy

Always talk to your doctor or medical team if you have questions about your tests. Preparation, the procedure, and after-care can be slightly different between countries, hospitals, and clinics. Always follow the instructions from your own healthcare team.

📝 Diagnostic Tests in UC – Quick Quiz

Diagnostic Tests in UC – Quick Quiz

Select one answer per question, then tap Check answers to see your score.

1) Which test uses X-rays to create pictures of organs, soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones inside your body?
2) Which test lets doctors see the large intestines and the end of the small intestines and can be used to remove polyps?
3) Which test takes pictures from inside your small intestines over about eight hours while you wear a recorder around your waist?
4) In the days before this test you avoid some foods, and bowel prep makes your stool look like clear chamomile tea or apple juice without solid pieces. Which test is this?
5) Which test uses sound waves to make images of organs and tissues inside your body and is described as safe and painless?
6) During this test, an anesthesiologist gives you medicine through an IV so you fall asleep, and a tube with a camera is guided through your mouth into your stomach and duodenum. Which test is this?
7) During this test, you are fully asleep before the tube is inserted through your anus, and you wake up later in the recovery room. Which test is this?
8) For which test is it usually true that no special preparation is needed, but you might get an IV for contrast and be told to drink plenty afterward to flush it out?
9) After which tests are you told that someone needs to take you home, and that you should not drive, ride a bike, or use public transport alone until the sedation wears off completely?

Answer Key & Why

  1. Q1: CT scans use X-rays to create detailed images of organs, soft tissues, blood vessels, and bones inside your body.
  2. Q2: A colonoscopy examines the large intestines and the end of the small intestines and allows biopsies and removal of polyps.
  3. Q3: A capsule endoscopy takes many pictures over several hours as the capsule travels through your small intestines, while a recorder on your waist saves the images.
  4. Q4: Before a colonoscopy you avoid some foods and drink bowel prep until your stool looks like clear chamomile tea or apple juice without solid pieces.
  5. Q5: An ultrasound uses sound waves and gel on the skin to create painless images of organs and tissues inside your body.
  6. Q6: In a gastroscopy you are put to sleep with an IV and a flexible tube with a camera is guided through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
  7. Q7: In a colonoscopy you are fully sedated while a tube is inserted through your anus to examine the colon and terminal ileum, and you wake up in the recovery room.
  8. Q8: A CT scan often needs an IV to give contrast, which helps tell different tissues apart and makes some structures easier to see.
  9. Q9: After gastroscopy and colonoscopy sedation stays in your system for a while, so you need someone to take you home and should not travel alone until it wears off.

Important: This quiz is for learning only, not medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your own healthcare team.

Section 2

Myths and Facts

Separate the myths from the facts about ulcerative colitis.

✨ Ulcerative Colitis Myths & Facts ⌄
🥦 ulcerative colitis & Nutrition
🧬 What Causes ulcerative colitis?
💊 Treatment & Management
📘 Understanding ulcerative colitis

Section 3

Spot It and Check It

Recognise symptoms and understand how UC is diagnosed.

🩺 Ulcerative Colitis Symptom Explorer

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Symptom Explorer

Answer a few short questions about your gut and stool. At the end, you’ll see guidance about whether it might be a good idea to contact your doctor or medical team.

12 questions • Scroll after opening

If you feel very unwell

If you have very strong stomach or abdominal pain, diarrhea more than 5 times per day and can’t keep fluids down, or if you see a lot of blood in your stool (bright red, dark red, or completely black), seek urgent medical care or go to an emergency department.

Symptom explorer 1: Before being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

1. Have you had diarrhea, soft stool, or unformed stool for more than 1 week?

2. Have you noticed any blood (red or dark red) or black stool?

3. How often do you pass stool each day?

4. Do you feel an urgent need to pass stool (like you have to run to the bathroom)?

5. Do you feel like you need to pass stool but then nothing comes out when you are on the toilet?

6. Do you get abdominal pain or cramping that you cannot ignore?

7. Do your stomach or bowel symptoms make it harder for you to be active at school, sports, or in your afternoon activities?

Symptom explorer 2: After being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

For people with ulcerative colitis who are not sure if this could be a flare-up. If you do not have ulcerative colitis, you can skip these or answer “No”.

8. Did your stools change, and are you having diarrhea or softer/unformed stools without currently having a stomach flu or stomach bug?

9. Do you currently have any blood (red or dark red) or black stool?

10. Are you having abdominal pain or cramping that is worse than usual or hard to ignore?

11. Do you feel more urgency (needing to get to the toilet quickly) than usual?

12. Have you developed any new symptoms like skin rashes, joint pain (arthritis), swollen lips, mouth sores, or eye problems?

Your result Yes answers: 0

Answer all questions in symptom explorer 1 or in symptom explorer 2, then tap “See my result” to view your guidance.

What this checker is for: This tool helps you think about ulcerative colitis symptoms and whether it might be a good idea to contact your doctor or medical team. It does not give a diagnosis or replace a real medical visit.

Note for readers

This tool gives you a quick snapshot — not a diagnosis. Real answers come from your doctor or gastroenterologist, who can test and explain what’s going on in your body.

Important reminder

Never ignore or delay medical advice because of something you read on TeenHealthInsight. If something feels wrong or you are worried, reach out to your medical team.

🔎 Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis

Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis

A quick look at common steps your doctor may use when checking for ulcerative colitis.

Step 1Doctor visit

History and physical exam

Questions about your and your family’s health and your current symptoms, followed by a physical examination.

Step 2Stool test

Stool sample

  • Looks for infections such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
  • Checks fecal calprotectin to see how much inflammation is present.
Step 3Blood work

Blood tests

  • Help with diagnosis, such as CBC, inflammatory markers, P ANCA and P ASCA.
  • Check for related problems such as anemia or low iron and vitamins.
Step 4Scopes

Endoscopy

  • Gastroscopy with tissue samples (biopsies).
  • Colonoscopy with tissue samples (biopsies).
Step 5Imaging

Imaging

  • CT scan, MRI, magnetic resonance enterography (special MRI of the small intestine), video capsule endoscopy (PillCam), or ultrasound.
  • Helps show how far the inflammation goes and how severe it is.
Step 6What results suggest

How doctors group the findings

Together, scopes, biopsies, blood work, and imaging often point in three directions.

More likely Crohn’s disease
  • Scope and biopsy pattern fits Crohn’s disease more than ulcerative colitis.
  • Doctor may use this as a working diagnosis or order more tests.
Likely no ulcerative colitis
  • Scopes and biopsies do not show typical inflammatory bowel disease changes.
Likely ulcerative colitis
  • Large intestine and biopsies show a pattern typical for ulcerative colitis.
  • Doctor reviews all results and you work together to find the right treatment.

PUCAI score for Ulcerative Colitis

After ulcerative colitis is diagnosed, your doctor may use the Pediatric ulcerative colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) to see how active the disease is over time. It helps with managing ulcerative colitis, not with making the first diagnosis.

The PUCAI score includes questions about abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, stool consistency, how many stools you have per day, bathroom visits that disrupt sleep, and how active you can be during the day.

For more detail about each step, see the chapter Diagnostic process.

Section 4

Check What You Know

Put your knowledge to the test with these quick quizzes.

🥗 Ulcerative Colitis Nutrition Quiz

Learn-by-doing: short and interactive.

Watch for the Multi-select badge. Those questions have more than one correct answer.

1) Which statement best describes what you should generally eat if you have ulcerative colitis?
2) Which of the following is part of a healthy and balanced diet?
3) Which type of fat is recommended?
4) Which of these proteins are considered lean options? Multi-select Select 2
5) During a flare up of ulcerative colitis, which foods do some people find harder to tolerate? Multi-select Select 2
6) Why could it be helpful to keep a food diary when you have ulcerative colitis?
7) During a flare up of ulcerative colitis, what foods should you focus on?
8) Why is staying hydrated especially important during flare ups?
9) What type of diet may help during a flare up?
10) When you are taking corticosteroids, which foods are often suggested to limit? Multi-select Select 2
11) When you are taking corticosteroids, which drink can help you get more calcium?
12) Which type of snack is often suggested when you have a flare up and are taking corticosteroids?

Answer Key and Why

  • Q1: B - A healthy and balanced diet is generally recommended; there is no strict, one size fits all diet.
  • Q2: B - A balanced diet usually includes different food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy), limits processed foods and sweets, and includes plenty of fluids.
  • Q3: C - Olive oil is a healthier fat choice; using highly saturated fats like butter or coconut oil all the time has been linked with more inflammation in the body in general.
  • Q4: C, E - Turkey and grilled or cooked chicken breast are lean proteins; pork ribs, fried chicken and beef steak are fattier meats and are not lean choices.
  • Q5: B, D - Some people find that low-fiber foods (so less whole grains) and milder foods (less spice) are easier to tolerate during a flare. This is very individual — your medical team or dietitian can help you figure out what works best for you.
  • Q6: C - A food diary can help you spot patterns in which foods feel okay and which seem to bother you, especially during a flare; being honest matters, because if you leave things out, the patterns are less trustworthy.
  • Q7: B - In a flare up your body may lose nutrients and need extra energy to deal with inflammation, so high calorie, nutrient rich foods are often helpful. Your medical team or dietitian can give you personalized advice.
  • Q8: B - Diarrhea and frequent bathroom trips cause extra fluid loss, which increases the risk of dehydration, so fluids are especially important.
  • Q9: B - For some people, a low fiber diet is easier for the gut to handle during a flare. This is general information — your medical team or dietitian will guide what is right for you.
  • Q10: B, D - Corticosteroids can increase fluid retention and blood sugar, so salty foods and sweets are often suggested to limit; calcium rich foods are usually encouraged for bone health. Your team will give you advice tailored to your treatment plan.
  • Q11: B - Orange juice contains calcium and is one good calcium rich fluid option; regular soda, coffee and energy drinks like Red Bull do not provide calcium.
  • Q12: C - Corticosteroids can increase hunger, so lighter snacks like fruit, low fat crackers or non frosted cereal can help manage hunger. These are general tips — your medical team or dietitian can give you personalized advice.

Important: This quiz is for learning only, not medical advice. Always follow your personal treatment plan and your medical team's instructions.

Section 5

Ready, Set, Go

Practical tools and checklists for living well with UC.

✈️ Traveling with Ulcerative Colitis - Travel Checklist

Traveling or attending public events can feel stressful when you have ulcerative colitis. This checklist helps you plan ahead so you can feel more relaxed and enjoy your trip.

If a step does not apply to you, for example you are not using injection medication, tap the N A button next to that item. N A items still count as completed.

Bathroom Game Plan

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Medication And Backup Plan

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Injection Medication Plan

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Comfort And Hygiene Kit

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Find Bathrooms Fast

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Examples of apps that can help:

  • Flush toilet finder and map (worldwide)
  • Toilet Finder (worldwide)
  • Bathroom Scout app (worldwide)
  • SitOrSquat app (worldwide)
  • Toilet Map UK
  • The National Public Toilet Map (Australia)

Overall Progress

Great start - keep going. Some items, like extra medication and supplies, can take time to organize.

📒 Tips To Remember Your Medication

Drag the sticky notes onto the spots in the room where each tip would help you most. Multiple notes can land in the same spot. Tap a note then tap a spot if you’re on a phone.

A teen room with desk, bed, mirror, alarm clock and other places where medication reminders could go
Use a pillbox so you can see your meds for the week
Keep meds where you can see them, not buried in a drawer
Set a daily alarm on your phone for the same time
Stick a reminder note on your mirror or laptop
🎓 Transition to Adult UC Care - Checklist

Moving from pediatric to adult ulcerative colitis care is a big step. This checklist helps you feel prepared and confident as you take on more of your own care.

If a step does not apply to you yet, tap the N A button next to that item. N A items still count as completed.

My Medical Team

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My Condition and Medication

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Appointments and Tests

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Lifestyle

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College and University Life

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Work Life

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Overall Progress

Start checking items to see your progress. Some steps take time — that is okay.

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