UC, short for ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the colon and rectum. The symptoms of UC include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. There are several synonyms for the word UC, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and inflammatory colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders that cause inflammation in the digestive system, including UC and Crohn's disease. Colitis refers specifically to inflammation in the colon and can be caused by several factors, including infection, medication, and autoimmune disorders. Inflammatory colitis is a more general term that encompasses both colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.