Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis
•Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation ofthe large intestine (colon).It is a form ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD), whichincludes characteristic ulcers, or open sores.The main symptom of active disease is usuallyconstant diarrhea mixed with blood, ofgradual onset. IBD is often confused withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a troublesome,but much less serious, condition.
Ulcerative Colitis
•Symptoms
•The symptoms vary in severity and may start slowly or suddenly.About half of people only have mild symptoms. Others have moresevere attacks that occur more often. Many factors can lead toattacks, including respiratory infections or physical stress.
•Abdominal pain and cramping
•Abdominal sounds (a gurgling or splashing sound heard over theintestine)
•Blood and pus in the stools
•Diarrhea, from only a few episodes to very often
•Fever
•Tenesmus (rectal pain)
•Weight loss
•Children's growth may slow.
Ulcerative Colitis
•Signs and tests
•Colonoscopy with biopsy is generally used todiagnose ulcerative colitis.
•Colonoscopy is also used to screen peoplewith ulcerative colitis for colon cancer.Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of coloncancer.
Ulcerative Colitis
Treatments:
•Both medications and surgery have been used to treatulcerative colitis. However, surgery is reserved for thosewith severe inflammation and life-threateningcomplications. There is no medication that can cureulcerative colitis. Patients with ulcerative colitis willtypically experience periods of relapse (worsening ofinflammation) followed by periods of remission(resolution of inflammation) lasting months to years.During relapses, symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea,and rectal bleeding worsen. During remissions, thesesymptoms subside. Remissions usually occur because oftreatment with medications or surgery, but occasionallythey occur spontaneously, that is, without any treatment.
Ulcerative Colitis
•Causes, incidence, and risk factors
•The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. People withthis condition have problems with the immune system,but it is not clear whether immune problems cause thisillness. Although stress and certain foods can triggersymptoms, they do not cause ulcerative colitis.
•Ulcerative colitis may affect any age group, althoughthere are peaks at ages 15 - 30 and then again at ages50 - 70.
•The disease usually begins in the rectal area, and mayinvolve the entire large intestine over time.
•Risk factors include a family history of ulcerative colitis,or Jewish ancestry.