Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly perceives its own healthy bowel tissue as a foreign threat and attacks it. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors (such as dietary habits, gut microbiota), infections, and the use of certain medications are thought to play a role in the development of this autoimmune response. While stress does not directly cause UC, it can trigger the disease's symptoms and severity.