Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv Koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive system. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly. In ulcerative colitis, the inflammation starts in the rectum and can spread to the colon. These include diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, anemia, and blood or pus in bowel movements. There is no cure for ulcerative colitis. Medicines can help calm inflammation. Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Although there is no known cure, treatment can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease and bring about long-term remission. Ulcerative Colitis
Causes
Generally, it attacks invaders in your body like a common cold. But when you have UC, your immune system thinks that food, gut bacteria, and the cells that line your colon. White blood cells that normally protect you attack your colon instead. They cause inflammation and ulcers.
Doctors aren’t sure why people develop this condition. Other things in the world around you can make a difference, too. Researchers believe the cause of ulcerative colitis is complex and involves many factors. They believe this is likely the result of an overactive immune response. The function of the immune system is to protect the body from germs and other dangerous substances. But, sometimes your immune system mistakenly attacks your body, causing inflammation and tissue damage. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but doctors now know that these factors can exacerbate but not cause ulcerative colitis.
When your immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the digestive cells as well.
Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have a family history of the disease.
When To See A Doctor
See your doctor if you notice persistent changes in your bowel habits or if you have signs and symptoms such as:
- Stomach pain
- Blood in your stool
- Diarrhea that wakes you up.
- An unexplained fever that lasts more than a day or two.
- Although ulcerative colitis is not usually fatal, it is a serious disease that can lead to life-threatening complications in some cases.
Risk Factors
Ulcerative colitis affects some equal numbers of ladies and men. Risk factors might include:
Age colitis sometimes begins before the age of thirty. however it will happen at any age, and a few individuals do not develop unwellness till when age sixty.
race or quality. though whites square measure most in danger for this unwellness, it will occur in any race. If you’re of Hebrew human descent, your risk is even higher.
Family history. you’re at higher risk if an in-depth relative, like a parent, relation, or kid, has the unwellness.
Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis
Your doctor will use tests to tell if you have UC rather than another bowel disease.
- A blood test can show whether you have anemia or inflammation.
- Stool Sample They can also show if there is blood in your stool that you cannot see.
- A flexible sigmoidoscopy allows your doctor to see the lower part of your colon. They will insert a bendable tube into your bottom. At the end of the tube is a small light and camera. Your doctor may also use a small tool to take a piece of the lining of your colon. This is called a biopsy. A doctor in the laboratory will look at the sample under a microscope.
- A colonoscopy is the same procedure as flexible sigmoidoscopy, only your doctor will look at your entire colon, not just the lower part.
- X-rays are less common for diagnosing disease, but your doctor may want one in special cases.
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
There are two main goals of UC treatment. The second is to prevent excessive flare-ups. You may need a combination of diet changes, medications, or surgery to reach these goals.
- Food. Certain foods can make your symptoms worse. You may find that bland, bland foods don’t bother you as much as spicy or high-fiber foods. If you can’t digest the sugar in milk called lactose (which means you’re lactose intolerant), your doctor may tell you to stop eating dairy products. A balanced diet with plenty of fiber, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables should provide enough vitamins and nutrients.
- Medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a few different types of medications, including:
- Antibiotics. They fight infection and allow your colon to heal.
- Aminosalicylates. These drugs contain a substance called 5-aminosialic acid (5-ASA), which fights inflammation and helps control symptoms. You may receive tablets to swallow or an enema or suppository to put down.
- Corticosteroids. If aminosalicylates don’t work or your symptoms are severe, your doctor may give you these anti-inflammatory drugs for a short time.
- Immunomodulators. This help prevents your immune system from attacking your colon. They may take some time to take effect. You may not notice any changes for up to 3 months.
- Organisms are made from proteins in living cells rather than chemicals.
- JAK inhibitors. These are oral medications that can work quickly to achieve and maintain remission in ulcerative colitis.
- Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators. It is an oral medication for patients with moderately to severely active UC.
- Loperamide. It can slow or stop diarrhea.
- Surgery. If other treatments don’t work or your UC is severe, you may need surgery to remove the colon (colectomy) or the colon and rectum (proctocolectomy). If you have a proctocolectomy, your doctor may create a small pouch from your small intestine and attach it to your anus. This is called ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). This allows your body to pass waste normally, so you don’t need to wear a bag to collect stool.