Take Control Of Ulcerative Colitis: Manage Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and the rectum become inflamed. This inflammation produces tiny sores or ulcers on the lining of the colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It rarely affects the small intestine beyond the lower portion.

The inflammation causes the bowel to move bowel contents rapidly and empty frequently. As cells on the surface of the lining of the bowel die, ulcers (open sores) form. The ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus.

This disease affects people of all ages. Symptoms tend to develop when people are between the ages of 15 and 30, or between the ages of 50 and 70.

The cause of this condition is not known. Researchers no longer believe that it is caused by stress. Today, research focuses on the immune system and heredity for possible causes.

Most people with ulcerative colitis dont have a family history of the condition. However, you are more likely to develop it if a close family member also has the condition.

Ulcerative colitis can develop in a person of any race, but it is more common in Caucasians. If you are an Ashkenazi Jew, you have a greater chance of developing the condition than most other groups.

Some studies show a possible link between the use of the drug isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, or Sotret) and ulcerative colitis. Isotretinoin is used to treat cystic acne.

The seriousness of symptoms varies among affected people. About 50 percent of people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. (PubMed Health) However, symptoms can be severe. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

Ulcerative colitis may cause additional symptoms such as:

Different tests can help your doctor diagnose ulcerative colitis. This disorder mimics other bowel diseases such as Crohns disease. Thus, your doctor will run multiple tests to rule out other conditions. Tests to diagnose ulcerative colitis include:

A blood test also helps diagnose ulcerative colitis. This test looks for signs of anemia (low blood count). A blood test also checks for a high level of the C-reactive protein and a high sedimentation rate. Both are indicators of inflammation in the body.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition. Treatment usually involves drug therapy or surgery. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation that causes your symptoms.

Your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication. These include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), mesalamine (Asacol and Lialda), balsalazide (Colazal), and olsalazine (Dipentum). Reducing inflammation will help with abdominal cramps and diarrhea. More serious cases may need corticosteroids, antibiotics, or medication to suppress immune function.

If your symptoms are severe, you will need to be hospitalized to correct the effects of dehydration and malnutrition that diarrhea causes.

Only about 25 to 40 percent of people with this condition will need surgery to remove their colon. Surgery is performed because of massive bleeding, chronic debilitating symptoms, perforation of your colon, or if there is a risk of cancer. A barium enema and a colonoscopy can detect these serious problems.

Surgical options include proctocolectomy with ileostomy (the most common surgical treatment) and ileoanal anastomosis.

Proctocolectomy with ileostomy involves the removal of the entire colon and rectum. A small opening is made in the abdominal wall through which the tip of the lower small intestine (the ileum) is brought to the skins surface. Waste will drain through the opening into a bag.

In ileoanal anastomosis, the diseased part of the colon is removed but the outer muscles of the rectum are spared. The ileum is attached inside the rectum and a small pouch formed. After this surgery, an individual is able to pass feces through the rectum. Bowel movements will be more frequent and watery than normal.

There is no solid evidence that what you eat can affect your condition. You may find that certain foods aggravate your symptoms when you have a flare-up. The following practices may help:

Ulcerative colitis increases your risk of colon cancer. Your doctor will do a colonoscopy and check for cancer when youre first diagnosed. It is important to schedule a follow-up screening eight to 12 months after youre diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This helps lower your risk of colon cancer. Repeat screenings every one to two years are needed thereafter. Follow-up screenings can detect precancerous cells early.

Other complications of ulcerative colitis include:

There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis. If you have this condition, you will need to be monitored by your doctor and carefully follow your treatment plan throughout your life.

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Take Control Of Ulcerative Colitis: Manage Symptoms