Causes of Ulcerative colitis

Cause of Ulcerative colitis: Theories about what causes ulcerative colitis abound, but none have been proven. The most popular theory is that the body's immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall.

People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. Ulcerative colitis is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products, but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people. ¹

Related information for causes of Ulcerative colitis: Further relevant information on causes of Ulcerative colitis may be found in the risk factors for Ulcerative colitis and underlying causes of Ulcerative colitis.

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Ulcerative Colitis: NIDDK

Last revision: June 23, 2003

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