Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Ulcerative Colitis test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Blood in stool
Bleeding from anus
Stomachache
Diarrhea
Stomach pain with diarrhea
Abdominal discomfort
Frequent bowel movements with stomach ache
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
An inflammatory condition of the large intestine that damages the gut wall. The exact cause is not well known.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Treatment includes medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Lifestyle changes like a modified diet and stress reduction may be helpful. In severe cases, hospitalization for intravenous hydration, and surgery to remove part of the large intestine may be needed.
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
We would love to help them too.
With a free 3-min Ulcerative Colitis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms

Our AI

Your report

Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
See full list
Q.
Is ulcerative colitis an autoimmune disease?
A.
Not exactly. Ulcerative colitis is best described as an immune-mediated inflammatory disease rather than a classic autoimmune condition. Immune dysregulation and gut bacteria drive the inflammation, and while immune-targeted treatments help, a single self-antigen has not been identified. There are several factors to consider for diagnosis, treatment, and when to seek care, so see below for important details that could impact your next steps.
References:
Danese S, & Fiocchi C. (2011). Ulcerative colitis. N Engl J Med, 22047527.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22047527/
Abraham C, & Cho JH. (2009). Inflammatory bowel disease. N Engl J Med, 19841220.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19841220/
Sartor RB. (2006). Mechanisms of disease: pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and ulcerati... Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol, 16802058.
Q.
What are the worst foods for ulcerative colitis?
A.
There are several foods that commonly worsen symptoms: high FODMAP and insoluble fiber items like raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and seeds; trans fat and ultra-processed foods; red and processed meats; and dairy if you are lactose intolerant. Sugary drinks and sweets, caffeine and alcohol, spicy foods, and certain additives such as sorbitol, mannitol, and MSG can also trigger diarrhea, gas, and cramping, especially during flares. There are several factors to consider; see below for specific examples, safer swaps during flares, tips to find your personal triggers, and when to contact a clinician.
References:
Ananthakrishnan AN, Khalili H, Konijeti GG, et al. (2013). Long-term intake of dietary fiber and risk of Crohn’s… Gastroenterology, 23973293.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23973293/
Ananthakrishnan AN, Khalili H, Fuchs CS, et al. (2014). A prospective study of long-term intake of trans-unsaturated… Inflamm Bowel Dis, 24111752.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24111752/
Gearry RB, Irving PM, Barrett JS, et al. (2009). Patients’ perceptions of food-related gastrointestinal… J Hum Nutr Diet, 19825011.
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.

“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024

“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023

“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)

Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Adams SM, Bornemann PH. Ulcerative colitis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 May 15;87(10):699-705. PMID: 23939448.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2013/0515/p699.htmlOrdás I, Eckmann L, Talamini M, Baumgart DC, Sandborn WJ. Ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 2012 Nov 3;380(9853):1606-19. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60150-0. Epub 2012 Aug 20. PMID: 22914296.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60150-0/fulltextDu L, Ha C. Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2020 Dec;49(4):643-654. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.07.005. Epub 2020 Sep 25. PMID: 33121686.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088985532030073X?via%3DihubKeshteli AH, Madsen KL, Dieleman LA. Diet in the Pathogenesis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis; A Review of Randomized Controlled Dietary Interventions. Nutrients. 2019 Jun 30;11(7):1498. doi: 10.3390/nu11071498. PMID: 31262022; PMCID: PMC6683258.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/7/1498Kaenkumchorn T, Wahbeh G. Ulcerative Colitis: Making the Diagnosis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2020 Dec;49(4):655-669. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.07.001. Epub 2020 Sep 23. PMID: 33121687.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889855320300698?via%3Dihub