Mr. Taylor seeks medical treatment for frequent, urgent bowel movements streaked with mucus and blood, and tests reveal a large, continuous area of inflammation affecting the first two layers of tissue in his rectum. What is Mr. Taylor's likely diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mr. Taylor's symptoms, including frequent, urgent bowel movements with mucus and blood and inflammation affecting the first two layers of tissue in his rectum, are indicative of ulcerative colitis, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that specifically affects the colon and rectum. Crohn's disease can also be a type of IBD, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, not just the colon and rectum. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine, but it would not cause the symptoms described by Mr. Taylor. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause similar symptoms, but it does not involve inflammation or bleeding. Short bowel syndrome is a condition in which a significant portion of the small intestine has been surgically removed, leading to malabsorption of nutrients, and would not cause the symptoms described by Mr. Taylor.

Mr Taylor Seeks Medical Treatment for Frequent, Urgent Bowel Movements