Colitis vs Ulcerative Colitis: What’s the Difference

You’ve been told you have colitis. Or maybe it was Ulcerative Colitis. Or just “inflammation of the bowel.”

At some point, you probably walked out of a doctor’s office wondering, “Wait, do I have IBD? Or just a temporary gut thing? Are these the same?”

This confusion happens all the time. 

The word colitis simply means inflammation of the colon. But Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is something more specific, a chronic, immune-related condition that falls under the umbrella of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). One is a symptom. The other is a diagnosis that requires long-term care.

Why is that difference important? Because it shapes how your symptoms are treated, whether they’re expected to go away or come back, and what kind of support you may need, now and in the future.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the key differences between colitis and Ulcerative Colitis. We’ll break down the medical jargon and talk about how to make sure you’re getting the clarity (and care) you deserve.

And just a quick note, I’m not a medical professional. Everything here is shared in the hope that it helps you feel more informed, not as a substitute for medical advice.

What is Colitis?

Let’s start with the basics: colitis simply means inflammation of the colon. That’s it. That’s all the word tells you.

It doesn’t explain why your colon is inflamed, how long it might last, or what kind of treatment you’ll need. It’s a descriptive term, not a full diagnosis.

There are many different reasons someone might have colitis. For example:

• You might get infectious colitis after food poisoning or a stomach bug.

• Certain medications (like NSAIDs) can irritate the gut and cause temporary inflammation.

• Ischemic colitis can happen when the blood flow to your colon is reduced, often in older adults.

• Even stress, although not a direct cause, can sometimes trigger or worsen colitis symptoms.

  
  

Some forms of colitis are short-term and clear up with time, hydration, and rest. Others might need antibiotics or further medical support. And occasionally, a case of colitis is actually the first sign of something more chronic, like Ulcerative Colitis, before a proper diagnosis is made.

That’s why it’s so important to look beyond the label. If you’ve been told you have colitis but your symptoms keep coming back, or you feel like something deeper is going on, it’s worth asking your doctor: What kind of colitis do I have? Could it be something chronic like UC?

Because while colitis describes what’s happening in the moment, it doesn’t always tell you the full story.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis, or UC for short, is a long-term, immune-related condition that causes inflammation in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It falls under the umbrella of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), alongside Crohn’s Disease. But unlike some other types of colitis, this one doesn’t just clear up on its own.

With UC, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the colon, creating tiny open sores called ulcers and ongoing inflammation that doesn’t go away without treatment. That’s what makes it chronic.

One of the hallmark features of UC is how it progresses, starting at the rectum and moving upward in a continuous stretch. That’s one way it differs from Crohn’s, which can appear anywhere in the digestive tract and skip around in patches. But we’ll keep our focus on UC for now.

Some of the most common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis include:

• Bloody diarrhoea

• Urgency (that sudden, gotta-go-now feeling)

• Abdominal cramping or pain

• Fatigue

• Unintended weight loss

  
  

But UC isn’t just a physical disease. It can affect your mental health, your relationships, your sleep, your energy, your whole quality of life. Flare-ups can be unpredictable and exhausting. And even in remission, many people carry a constant low-level worry about when it might all start up again.

That’s why living with UC often means building a team, your doctor, maybe a dietitian, sometimes a therapist, and learning how to support your body through medication, nutrition, rest, and routine.

While UC doesn’t have a cure yet, it absolutely can be managed. And understanding that you’re not just dealing with “colitis,” but something specific and ongoing, is the first step toward feeling more in control.

Why the Distinction Matters

So, why does it matter whether someone says “colitis” or “Ulcerative Colitis”?

Because the label changes the path.

When a doctor tells you that you have colitis, they’re describing inflammation in your colon but not necessarily explaining why it’s happening or what to expect next. That inflammation might be temporary, triggered by an infection or medication. In that case, it could resolve in a few days or weeks with rest, hydration, and possibly antibiotics.

But if what you really have is Ulcerative Colitis, the approach is very different.

UC is a chronic, relapsing-remitting condition. That means it doesn’t just go away, and it tends to flare up over time. It requires long-term care, regular monitoring, and (in most cases) medical treatment like:

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Immune modulators or biologics

• Routine colonoscopies to monitor inflammation and screen for complications

  
  

Here’s an example I’ve come across more than once: Someone is told they have “colitis” after a stomach bug. The symptoms settle, so they move on, but months later, they start having urgency, blood in their stool, and pain that won’t go away. Eventually, after more testing, they’re diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It’s not that the doctor got it wrong. It’s that the original diagnosis was a snapshot, not the full picture.

This is why asking “What kind of colitis do I have?” is such a powerful question.

If it’s something short-term, great, you’ll likely recover quickly. If it’s UC, knowing sooner means you can get the right care, start tracking patterns, and feel less confused or blindsided if symptoms return.

FAQs 

Is colitis the same as Ulcerative Colitis?

Not quite. Colitis just means inflammation in the colon. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a specific, long-term autoimmune condition that causes ongoing inflammation and ulceration in the colon lining.

All UC is colitis, but not all colitis is UC.

You can read more about the distinction here via WebMD.

Can colitis turn into Ulcerative Colitis?

It’s not a transformation, but sometimes UC starts out looking like general colitis. For example, if you have your first flare after a virus or tummy bug, your doctor might call it “colitis” at first. If symptoms linger or recur, further testing may reveal that it’s actually UC.

This article from Mayo Clinic offers a helpful breakdown of how UC is diagnosed.

How do I know which one I have?

Diagnosing UC vs other types of colitis usually involves:

• A colonoscopy (to look at the colon lining)

• Biopsies (to examine tissue under the microscope)

• Blood and stool tests (to rule out infection or check inflammation markers)

• Reviewing your symptom patterns over time

If the inflammation is short-lived and tied to a known trigger (like antibiotics or food poisoning), it may be temporary colitis. But if it keeps coming back or follows a known pattern, doctors may consider an IBD diagnosis like UC.

Can stress cause colitis or UC?

Stress isn’t a direct cause, but it’s a known trigger for flares and symptom spikes in people with UC. Stress can affect gut motility, immune response, and pain perception, which may explain why everything feels more intense during a difficult season.

It’s worth exploring ways to reduce stress, even gently, whether through therapy, movement, mindfulness, or simply protecting your rest.

Is there a cure?

That depends on the type:

• Some forms of colitis (like infectious colitis) resolve completely once the trigger is treated or removed.

• Ulcerative Colitis is chronic. There’s no cure, but many people achieve long stretches of remission with the right combination of medication, nutrition, and support.

  
  

Surgery is sometimes considered in severe cases, but most people manage their UC without needing it.

Should I change my diet if I’ve been told I have colitis or UC?

Diet isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially with UC. But food can play a huge role in managing symptoms, particularly during or after a flare.

If you’ve had temporary colitis (say from a stomach bug), your gut may just need time to settle, bland, low-fibre foods can help. But if it’s UC, learning your food triggers and supporting gut health more long-term can make a real difference.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Mediterranean-style diets are both being explored for UC symptom management. (Always best to work with a practitioner when making changes.)

We also have a guide on navigating food fears and building confidence here on Well Now.

Understanding Your Diagnosis Is Power

“Colitis” and “Ulcerative Colitis” sound similar, and sometimes they’re even used interchangeably. But understanding the difference can change everything, from the treatment you’re offered to how you care for yourself day to day.

Colitis is a broad term. Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition that needs long-term attention. Knowing which one you're dealing with doesn’t just give you clarity, it gives you agency. It helps you ask better questions, plan more confidently, and find support that actually fits your needs.

If you’re unsure about your diagnosis, it’s okay to ask your doctor, “Is this Ulcerative Colitis, or another form of colitis?” That question alone could bring you one step closer to the care you deserve.

And if it is UC, there’s help, there’s hope, and there are ways to live fully alongside it. We’ve built Well Now to be one of those spaces where you can feel informed, understood, and supported.

Living with a gut condition isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about reclaiming your life.