Ulcerative colitis is a disease which causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers. These ulcers are found in the lining of the rectum and colon. Inflammation kills the cells that usually line the colon and this is where the ulcers form. This then causes bleeding and will produce pus. When there is Inflammation in the colon it may cause the colon to empty frequently and this causes diarrhea.
It usually affects people between the ages of 15 and 30 but it can occur in people of any age. It equally affects both men and women.
About half of the people who have Ulcerative Colitis have mild symptoms. There was several types of drugs that can help control this disease. Some people with ulcerative colitis have long periods where they are in remission and free of symptoms. In very severe cases the colon has to be removed.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
The most common symptoms are are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. People with Ulcerative Colitis may also experiece
anemia
fatigue
weight loss
loss of appetite
rectal bleeding
loss of body fluids and nutrients
skin lesions
joint pain
growth failure (mostly in children)
About half of those with ulcerative colitis have only mild symptoms. Some others may suffer from fevers, nausea, bloody diarrhea, and severe cramping in the abdomenn. Other problems that is may cause are arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. When colitis is treated some of these problems go away. see http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/
Causes
Ulcerative Colitis has no known cause. It is said to be an idiopathic disease, which means that it develops without an apparent or known cause. Ulcerative colitis appears to be more common is those living in Western, industrialized societies. It is not known whether this is due to the environment in which people live or their diet. Two factors that seem to play a role are Weakened immune response and Heredity.
Types of Ulcerative Colitis
All individuals with Ulcerative Colitis have a distinct portion of the colon that is diseased. Ulcerative Colitis is categorized by the doctor by the amount of the colon that is involved. Regardless of the amount of the colon that is involved, symptoms can vary from being very mild to severe.
Some of the types of Ulcerative Colitis are: Ulcerative proctitis- this is when it is limited to the rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea, pain in the rectal area, bloody stool, sense of urgency to empty bowel. Proctosigmoiditis - this is when the rectum and sigmoid colon are affected. Symptoms include diarrhea, the rectal area experiencing cramps and pain, bloody stool, and experiencing pain that if of a moderate level of severity on the left side of the abdomen. Left-sided colitis- affects the entire left side of the colon. This is from the rectum to where the colon bends near the spleen and begin to run across the upper abdomen. Symptoms are weight loss and loss of appetite, diarrhea, bleeding, and sometimes experiencing pain that is on the left side of the abdomen. Pancolitis - the entire colon is affected. This must be treated with oral medications in order for the active ingredients to reach all the portions of the colon that are affected.
Diagnosis
A series of tests and a through physical exam may be needed to diagnose UC. Blood tests can check for a blood count that may be low , or anemia, which could be an indication of bleeding in the intestines. These blood tests may also determine a high white blood cell count, which would be a sign of inflammation.
A doctor can determine if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines by testing a stool sample. A colonoscopy may need to be performed. This involved inserting an endoscope into the anus which will see the inside of the large intestine. At this time, any inflammation or bleeding with be seen. During a colonscopy, a biopsy may be done by the doctor. This involved taking a sample of the tissue from the intestinal lining to view under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment may include hospitalizations, drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these. Some of the medications that may be used to treat UC include corticosteroids, amniosalicylates, and immunomodulators. Other drugs that are given to a UC patient are to relieve pain, diarrhea, infection, or to relax the patient.
About 25 – 40% of UC patients must eventually have their colon removed. The colon is removed for reasons such as: rupture of the colon, severe illness, risk of cancer, or massive bleeding.
Check out the site below to find a wonderful Chrons & Colitis website.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Illustration of the large intestine
Ulcerative colitis is a disease which causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers. These ulcers are found in the lining of the rectum and colon. Inflammation kills the cells that usually line the colon and this is where the ulcers form. This then causes bleeding and will produce pus. When there is Inflammation in the colon it may cause the colon to empty frequently and this causes diarrhea.
It usually affects people between the ages of 15 and 30 but it can occur in people of any age. It equally affects both men and women.
About half of the people who have Ulcerative Colitis have mild symptoms. There was several types of drugs that can help control this disease. Some people with ulcerative colitis have long periods where they are in remission and free of symptoms. In very severe cases the colon has to be removed.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
The most common symptoms are are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. People with Ulcerative Colitis may also experiece
- anemia
- fatigue
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- rectal bleeding
- loss of body fluids and nutrients
- skin lesions
- joint pain
- growth failure (mostly in children)
About half of those with ulcerative colitis have only mild symptoms. Some others may suffer from fevers, nausea, bloody diarrhea, and severe cramping in the abdomenn. Other problems that is may cause are arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. When colitis is treated some of these problems go away. see http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/Causes
Ulcerative Colitis has no known cause. It is said to be an idiopathic disease, which means that it develops without an apparent or known cause. Ulcerative colitis appears to be more common is those living in Western, industrialized societies. It is not known whether this is due to the environment in which people live or their diet. Two factors that seem to play a role are Weakened immune response and Heredity.
Types of Ulcerative Colitis
All individuals with Ulcerative Colitis have a distinct portion of the colon that is diseased. Ulcerative Colitis is categorized by the doctor by the amount of the colon that is involved. Regardless of the amount of the colon that is involved, symptoms can vary from being very mild to severe.
Some of the types of Ulcerative Colitis are:
Ulcerative proctitis - this is when it is limited to the rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea, pain in the rectal area, bloody stool, sense of urgency to empty bowel.
Proctosigmoiditis - this is when the rectum and sigmoid colon are affected. Symptoms include diarrhea, the rectal area experiencing cramps and pain, bloody stool, and experiencing pain that if of a moderate level of severity on the left side of the abdomen.
Left-sided colitis - affects the entire left side of the colon. This is from the rectum to where the colon bends near the spleen and begin to run across the upper abdomen. Symptoms are weight loss and loss of appetite, diarrhea, bleeding, and sometimes experiencing pain that is on the left side of the abdomen.
Pancolitis - the entire colon is affected. This must be treated with oral medications in order for the active ingredients to reach all the portions of the colon that are affected.
Diagnosis
A series of tests and a through physical exam may be needed to diagnose UC. Blood tests can check for a blood count that may be low , or anemia, which could be an indication of bleeding in the intestines. These blood tests may also determine a high white blood cell count, which would be a sign of inflammation.
A doctor can determine if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines by testing a stool sample. A colonoscopy may need to be performed. This involved inserting an endoscope into the anus which will see the inside of the large intestine. At this time, any inflammation or bleeding with be seen. During a colonscopy, a biopsy may be done by the doctor. This involved taking a sample of the tissue from the intestinal lining to view under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment may include hospitalizations, drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these. Some of the medications that may be used to treat UC include corticosteroids, amniosalicylates, and immunomodulators. Other drugs that are given to a UC patient are to relieve pain, diarrhea, infection, or to relax the patient.
About 25 – 40% of UC patients must eventually have their colon removed. The colon is removed for reasons such as: rupture of the colon, severe illness, risk of cancer, or massive bleeding.
Check out the site below to find a wonderful Chrons & Colitis website.
Chrons & Colitis Foundation of Canada http://www.ccfc.ca