Although there has been much research, the cause of Ulcerative Colitis is still uncertain. However, over the
past few years, there have been major advances, particularly in genetics. Researchers now
believe that UC is caused by a complex interaction of factors: the genes a person has inherited
and an abnormal reaction of the immune system to certain bacteria in the intestines, triggered
by something in the environment. The immune system is the body’s protection system against
harmful substances. So it could be that something in the environment may stimulate the body’s
defences to produce inflammation that continues without control: once the immune system of
someone with UC is ‘switched on’ it does not know how to ‘switch off’ properly at the right
time. Viruses, bacteria, the use of antibiotics, diet and stress have all been suggested as
environmental triggers, but there is no definite evidence that any one of these is the cause of UC.
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