A disease of the large bowel, characterised by ulceration of the lining of the bowel, bleeding, abscess formation; the pathological appearances are usually characteristic and the cause is unknown
a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever and chills and profuse diarrhea
(Medicine) recurrent condition of unknown origin characterized by ulcers and severe irritation of the colon and rectum (causes bloody stools, hemorrhoids, and abdominal pain)
Inflammation of the colon, especially of its mucous membranes. The inflamed membranes develop patches of tiny ulcers, and the diarrhea contains blood and mucus. It often becomes chronic, with sustained fever and weight loss; complications and death may result. Specific causes, such as amoebic or bacillary dysentery, are rarer than unknown or multiple causes. If treatment with sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or antibiotics does not control it, part or all of the colon may have to be removed