Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis occurs most often in people ages 15 to 40, although children and older people sometimes develop the disease. Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and appears to run in some families. There are 90,000 sufferers in the UK and 400,000 in the United States. This book covers; Causes; Diagnosis; Treatments; Surgery; Living with an ileostomy or a pouch; Living with ulcerative colitis, including emotional issues and effects on the family; Diet; Ulcerative Colitis in young people; Fertility and pregnancy; Probiotics; Future developments; Sources of help