This list includes 23 Diseases that start with U, from “Ulcerative colitis” to “Uveitis”. It focuses on clinically significant conditions for quick reference, study, and initial triage. Entries include clinician review notes, an internal A–Z index, and concise source links for further reading.
Diseases that start with U are human medical conditions with standard names beginning with the letter U. For example, Ulcerative colitis is a notable chronic inflammatory bowel disease commonly discussed in clinical practice.
Below you’ll find the table with Disease, Symptoms, Causes & risk factors, and Treatments & referral.
Disease: The official condition name and common synonyms, so you can locate each disorder quickly by its accepted label.
Symptoms: Key signs and symptoms listed briefly, helping you recognize likely presentations in patients or study cases.
Causes & risk factors: Primary causes and main risk factors explain typical origins and what increases the likelihood of the condition.
Treatments & referral: Common first-line treatments and when you should consider specialist referral for diagnosis or advanced care.
Diseases that start with U
| Name | ICD-10/ICD-11 code | Common symptoms (max 15 words) | Main causes / risk factors (max 15 words) | Description (max 50 words, include typical treatments) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulcerative colitis | K51 | Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, urgency | Immune-mediated inflammation, genetics, smoking cessation, microbiome changes | Chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing colon ulcers. Treated with aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, biologics; surgery for severe disease. See gastroenterologist for ongoing care. |
| Urinary tract infection | N39.0 | Burning urination, frequency, urgency | Bacterial infection (E. coli), sexual activity, urinary retention | Infection of bladder/urine tract causing pain and urgency. Treated with antibiotics, fluids, pain relief; refer urology for recurrent or complicated infections. |
| Urticaria | L50 | Itchy hives, swelling, transient red welts | Allergic triggers, infections, medications, idiopathic mast cell activation | Common itchy hives lasting minutes to days. First-line: non-sedating antihistamines; oral steroids for severe cases. See allergy or dermatology if chronic. |
| Uveitis | H20 | Eye pain, redness, blurred vision | Autoimmune conditions, infections, trauma | Inflammation of the uveal tract causing vision changes. Treated with steroid eye drops, mydriatics, immunosuppressants for chronic disease. Urgent ophthalmology referral recommended. |
| Urolithiasis | N20 | Severe flank pain, blood in urine, nausea | Kidney/ureteral stones, dehydration, metabolic predisposition | Stones in the urinary tract causing colicky pain. Managed with hydration, pain control, medical expulsive therapy, lithotripsy or surgery; urology referral for large or recurrent stones. |
| Uterine fibroids | D25 | Heavy periods, pelvic pressure, pelvic pain | Benign smooth-muscle growth, estrogen influence, reproductive age | Common benign uterine tumors causing bleeding and bulk symptoms. Treatments: hormonal therapy, uterine artery embolization, myomectomy or hysterectomy. See gynecologist for symptomatic management. |
| Urethritis | N34 | Painful urination, urethral discharge, urgency | Sexually transmitted bacteria (Chlamydia, gonorrhea), trauma | Inflammation of the urethra usually due to STIs. Treated with targeted antibiotics; sexual partners should be evaluated. See sexual health clinic. |
| Umbilical hernia | K42 | Bulge at navel, discomfort with strain, mild pain | Abdominal wall weakness, congenital defect, obesity, pregnancy | Protrusion at the belly button. Small defects may be observed; symptomatic or incarcerated hernias require surgical repair. Surgical consultation advised. |
| Uveal melanoma | C69.3 | Vision changes, dark eye spot, flashes | Malignant melanocytes in uveal tract, fair skin, light eyes | Eye cancer of the uvea. Treated with radiation (brachytherapy), local resection, or systemic therapy for metastasis. Urgent ophthalmic oncology referral. |
| Usher syndrome | Q87.8 | Congenital hearing loss, progressive night blindness, balance problems | Autosomal recessive genetic mutations affecting ear/retina | Inherited condition causing combined hearing and vision loss. No cure; management with cochlear implants, low-vision aids, genetic counseling. Multidisciplinary referral recommended. |
| Unstable angina | I20.0 | Chest pain at rest, worsening angina, shortness of breath | Coronary plaque disruption, atherosclerosis, smoking, hypertension | Acute coronary syndrome with new/worsening chest pain. Initial treatment: antiplatelets, nitrates, anticoagulation; urgent cardiology evaluation and possible PCI (angioplasty). |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | J06.9 | Cough, sore throat, nasal congestion | Viral infections (rhinovirus, coronavirus), close contact, cold weather | Common cold affecting nose and throat. Supportive care: rest, fluids, analgesics; antibiotics usually not needed. See doctor if severe or prolonged symptoms. |
| Urogenital schistosomiasis | B65 | Blood in urine, urinary frequency, pelvic pain | Parasitic infection (Schistosoma haematobium), freshwater exposure | Parasitic infection affecting urinary tract causing hematuria. Treated with praziquantel; public health measures and tropical medicine referral for endemic-area cases. |
| Uterine prolapse | N81 | Pelvic pressure, vaginal bulge, urinary problems | Childbirth trauma, pelvic floor weakness, menopause, obesity | Descent of the uterus into the vagina causing pressure and urinary symptoms. Managed with pelvic floor exercises, pessary, or surgical repair; see gynecology. |
| Ureteral obstruction | N13 | Flank pain, reduced urine output, nausea | Kidney stones, tumors, strictures, congenital anomalies | Blockage of a ureter causing hydronephrosis. Treated with stenting, stone removal, or surgery; urgent urology referral if renal function threatened. |
| Urethral stricture | N36 | Weak urinary stream, spraying, retention | Scarring from infection, trauma, instrumentation | Narrowing of the urethra causing obstruction. Treatments: dilation, internal urethrotomy, urethroplasty surgery; urology referral for durable management. |
| Urticarial vasculitis | L95.8 | Long-lasting hives, burning pain, possible systemic symptoms | Immune-complex small-vessel vasculitis, autoimmune disease associations | Vasculitis that mimics chronic hives, often painful and persistent. Treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants for severe cases; dermatology/rheumatology referral. |
| Unruptured intracranial aneurysm | I67.1 | Often none, headache, focal deficits if large | Weak arterial wall, hypertension, smoking, family history | A brain artery bulge not yet ruptured. Options: observation, endovascular coiling, surgical clipping. Neurosurgery referral for risk assessment. |
| Ultraviolet keratitis | H16.0 | Eye pain, tearing, photophobia | Intense UV exposure from sun or welding, no eye protection | Corneal inflammation from UV light (photokeratitis). Managed with lubricating drops, pain control, typically self-resolves; ophthalmology if severe or persistent. |
| Ulnar neuropathy | G56.2 | Numbness ring/little finger, weak grip, elbow pain | Elbow compression, repetitive strain, trauma | Compression or injury of the ulnar nerve causing numbness/weakness. Initial treatment: splinting, NSAIDs, activity modification; surgical decompression for persistent deficits. See neurology or orthopedics. |
| Urothelial carcinoma | C67 | Painless blood in urine, frequency, pelvic pain | Smoking, chemical exposures, chronic irritation | Cancer of the bladder/urothelium causing hematuria. Treated with TURBT, intravesical therapy, cystectomy, chemotherapy; urologic oncology referral. |
| Urethral cancer | C68 | Bleeding, urethral mass, urinary obstructive symptoms | Chronic inflammation, infection, HPV, older age | Rare cancer of the urethra. Managed with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy depending on stage; urology/oncology referral. |
| Uterine sarcoma | C54 | Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic mass | Rare malignant tumor, postmenopausal age, prior radiation | Aggressive uterine muscle tumor presenting with bleeding. Treated primarily with surgery; may need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Gynecologic oncology referral recommended. |
Descriptions
Ulcerative colitis
Urinary tract infection
Urticaria
Uveitis
Urolithiasis
Uterine fibroids
Urethritis
Umbilical hernia
Uveal melanoma
Usher syndrome
Unstable angina
Upper respiratory tract infection
Urogenital schistosomiasis
Uterine prolapse
Ureteral obstruction
Urethral stricture
Urticarial vasculitis
Unruptured intracranial aneurysm
Ultraviolet keratitis
Ulnar neuropathy
Urothelial carcinoma
Urethral cancer
Uterine sarcoma