Category Archives: Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic intestinal inflammation. The two major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, although other less common IBD conditions are also included in this category. Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that is characterised by inflammation and micro-ulcers in the superficial layers of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire large intestine (pancolitis). Ulcerative colitis can very rarely affect the small intestine in its distal portion (Backwash Ileitis). The inflammation is accompanied usually with diarrhoea, which may be profuse and bloody. Micro-ulcers form in places where inflammation has destroyed the cells lining the bowel and these areas bleed and produce pus and mucus. Ulcerative colitis, especially when mild, can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, most notably the other type of IBD called Crohn's disease and also irritable bowel syndrome. Crohn's disease differs from ulcerative colitis because it causes inflammation throughout the whole thickness of the intestinal wall and produces deep ulcers. Crohn's disease usually occurs in the small intestine, but it can also occur in the large intestine, anus, oesophagus, … Continue reading →

Unfortunately colitis affects a large number of people each year. This infection has a wide range of symptoms that can spring up without a moments notice, or be so mild and gradual that a patient is infected for years with no idea. Ulcerative colitis can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, with different outcomes. It can come in a mild, moderate or severe form. The descriptions of colitis are normally classified as either corticosteroid dependent, steroid immune, or inactive (also known as in remission). For almost each person, the course colitis takes on them is extremely unique. There are not many, hard and fast colitis symptoms that everyone experiences, and the symptoms are largely different for each person. In some people colitis may be extremely mild, and in some, albeit rare, cases it can be a life threatening condition. The average patient who has ulcerative colitis experiences periods of inactivity (remission) that can last anywhere from a few months to several years. In these time periods there are the occasional interruptions of flare-ups, but theyre relatively stable. On average, somewhere in the middle of five percent and ten percent experience colitis symptoms all the time. The large range … Continue reading →

What is Ulcerative Colitis? Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that results in chronic inflammation in digestive tract, usually in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include: Symptoms may also occur outside the gut and include joint pain, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions, and mouth ulcers. There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis. Alternative therapies are popular among people with ulcerative colitis, however, so far scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat ulcerative colitis is lacking. It's important to note that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Here are nine natural remedies to consider: Probiotics, "friendly" bacteria that reside in the gut, have been found to be effective in managing ulcerative colitis. They help control the number of potentially harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and improve the protective mucus lining of the gut. Probiotics are among the more popular remedies for inflammatory bowel disease because they are without significant side effects and appear to be safe for most people. A University of Alberta study examined 34 people with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis who were unresponsive to conventional treatment. The researchers gave them a … Continue reading →

Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2004 Feb; 17(1): 719. Editor in Chief David E. Beck M.D. Guest Editor Bruce G. Wolff M.D. 1Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon with an increasing incidence worldwide. The medical management of this disease continues to expand as drugs to induce and maintain remission are sought to avoid the need for colectomy. This article will review the standard of care for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe ulcerative colitis. The efficacy, optimal usage, and adverse events profile of agents such as 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclosporine will be discussed and an algorithm for their use will be developed. Alternative and experimental therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, probiotics, and heparin will also be addressed. Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, medical therapy, cyclosporine Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that affects up to 12 per 100,000 people in Western countries.1 The incidence may be increasing in developing nations but is more frequent in Caucasians and people of Jewish descent. Although there is an increase in families, the genetic trend is not as strong as in Crohn's disease.2 The peak … Continue reading →

Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends on how severe the condition is and how often your symptoms flare up. The main aims of treatment are to: This usually involves taking various types of medication, although surgery may sometimes be an option. Your treatment will normally be provided by a range of healthcare professionals, including: Your care will often be co-ordinated by your specialist nurse and your care team, and they'll usually be your main point of contact if you need help and advice. The various treatments forulcerative colitisare outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatments for ulcerative colitis, allowing you to compare your treatment options. Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), such as sulphasalazineor mesalazine, are medications that help toreduce inflammation. They're usually the first treatment option for mildor moderate ulcerative colitis. 5-ASAs can be used as a short-term treatment for flare-ups. They can also be taken long term, usually for the rest of your life,to maintain remission. 5-ASAscan be taken: How you take 5-ASAs depends on the severity and extent of your condition. These medications rarely haveside effects, but some people may experience: Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone,are amore powerful type of medication used to reduce … Continue reading →

Is Alcohol Healthy or Not? The answer could be both. Obviously, alcohol in excess for a long period can cause a range of problems including: On the other hand, people who drink modest amounts of alcohol have a lower risk of developing heart disease. The issues surrounding ulcerative colitis (UC) and drinking alcohol are even trickier. The answer, just like the disease itself, is complicated. On one hand, a very large study examining the outcomes of 304,000 patients suggested that alcohol may actually have a protective effect. The study came to two main conclusions: Coffee intake didnt relate to UC and alcohol consumption before a UC diagnosis may lower a persons risk for developing the disease. The study design and the way that the authors came to these results have many limitations, but it does raise an interesting point: Could alcohol have a protective effect on ulcerative colitis? On the other hand, one study found that alcohol and alcoholic byproducts aggravate inflammatory responses in the gut and make UC worse. The same researchers in another study found that one week of alcohol consumption decreased protective molecules in the gut and increased bowel permeability (both of which are markers of worsening … Continue reading →

Meet Roxy: Roxy, 27 Chinese, living in Asia. Happily married and now expecting our little precious cupcake! Enjoys exploring different cultures and trying weird foods. Used to workout diligently daily, hardcore weights and insanity. Cut down a lot and mainly walking and hiking since I discovered Im newly pregnant. Current Symptoms: Mild flare and getting [] Ive been suffering from a UC flare up for the past two and half years now. Since it started I have gotten C-Diff, as well as developed Cellulitis and Mouth/Canker Sores underneath my tongue. Also achy joints, edema and extreme fatigue. I just never feel well anymore. My doctors dont seem to think I have [] I am in the Canadian Forces. I am currently at 2/3 of surgeries en route to a J Pouch. I am married to an amazingly supportive with. We have one daughter. Enjoy outdoor life, ie: hunting, fishing etc. Enjoy watching and playing sports. I am a Christian. I currently have no symptoms of UC. Round [] I am very active (usually), have written and published a non-fiction book, love to play duplicate bridge, have completed a couple of marathons in my mid-fifties..and hope for a great and productive … Continue reading →

On this page: More and more people are researching ulcerative colitis(UC) they do this to educate themselves and potentially avoid health problems caused by prescription and over the counter drugs designed asulcerative colitis treatments. Unfortunately, mostulcerative colitisdrugs are synthetic and can cause an array of defects and side-effects. Before we begin the educational coverage of Ulcerative colitis, and if this is your first time here, wed like to welcome you. This page is dedicated to helping you learn and better understandulcerative colitis. We firmly believe expanding your understanding of UC is the first step in over coming it. Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic long-term condition. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease which causes swelling, ulceration and loss of function of the colon (large intestine) and rectum. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to describe two diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease, which cause inflammation of the bowel. Colitis most commonly affects the rectum and the the sigmoid colon (lower part of the colon) but caninvolve all of the colon. When only the rectum is involved it is sometimes calledulcerative proctitisor justproctitis. When the entire colon is involved it is sometimes calledpancolitis. Ulcerative colitis can affect people … Continue reading →

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Definition Ulcerative colitis, one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, is characterized by recurring episodes of inflammation of the mucosal layer of the large bowel not related to an intestinal infection or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The inflammation always involves the rectum and can extend proximally in a continuous fashion. Ulcerative proctosigmoiditis refers to inflammation extending into the sigmoid colon. Left-sided colitis refers to inflammation extending up to, but not beyond, the splenic flexure. Pancolitis refers to disease that extends proximally to the splenic flexure. Approximately 50% of patients present with proctosigmoiditis, 30% with left-sided colitis, and 20% with pancolitis. Interestingly, about 50% progress to more extensive disease over the first 5 years of disease.1 The inflammation is characterized by superficial ulcerations, granularity, and a distorted vascular pattern (Figure 1). Histologic features include an expansion of the lamina propria with inflammatory cells and crypt abscesses (Figure 2. There are usually no fistulae or granulomas, the usual histologic features of Crohn disease. Back to Top The annual incidence of ulcerative colitis is between 1 and 10 cases per 100,000 people, depending on the region studied. The peak age-specific inci-dence occurs near 20 years, and a second smaller peak occurs … Continue reading →