It is a long-term condition that affects the colon and rectum by inflammation. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tiny sores or ulcers develop in the colon after the inflammation of the colon lining.
Types of Ulcerative colitis: (1)
- Ulcerative proctitis
In this type of ulcerative colitis, the inflammation in the bowel is restricted to only rectum. Only about 5 to 6 inches of the rectum are affected in this condition. This type of condition does not have any increased risk of cancer. Some common symptoms of this disease are:
- Bleeding in the rectum
- Pain in the rectal
- Urgency in bowel movements.
- Left-sided colitis
Inflammation in the rectum in this condition is continuous and extends to the colon as the splenic flexure. Splenic flexure is the bend located near to spleen. Symptoms of left-sided colitis include:
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen on the left side.
- Extensive Colitis
The entire colon is affected by this type of ulcerative colitis. Continuous inflammation in the rectum begins and extends beyond the splenic flexure. Some common symptoms associated with this type of ulcerative colitis are:
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody diarrhea
- Pain in abdomen
- Loss of weight
Causes of ulcerative colitis
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown. Diet and stress were the most suspected factors in developing ulcerative colitis, but now doctors researched about this and come to know that these factors only aggravate ulcerative colitis and don’t cause ulcerative colitis.
An immune system malfunction is the best possible cause of developing this condition. When the immune system tries to fight the invading bacterium or virus, then the abnormality in the immune system also attacks the normal cells in the digestive tract that develop this disease. White blood cells attack the lining of the colon that causes inflammation and ulcer.
Heredity also plays a vital role in developing this condition. Ulcerative colitis is more common in people who are living with family members already suffering from this disease. But still more people with ulcerative colitis do not have this disease in their family history.
Risk factors of ulcerative colitis
Men and women are equally affected by ulcerative colitis. Risk factors of this condition include:
- Age: people usually suffer from ulcerative colitis before the age of 30. But it can begin at any age. Some people will not develop ulcerative colitis even after the age of sixty.
- Race or ethnicity: white people have the highest risk of developing an ulcer, but it can affect any race. If anyone is Ashkenazi Jewish, the risk of developing this disease is very high.
- Family history: If you are living with a family member with this disease that may be your parents, siblings, relatives, or child, you are at high risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
Complications of Ulcerative colitis
Complications associated with ulcerative colitis include:
- Severe bleeding
- A perforated colon is a hole in the colon
- Severe dehydration
- Osteoporosis – bone loss
- Inflammation in the joints, skin, and eyes
- High risk of colon cancer
- Toxic megacolon- rapid swelling of the colon
- High risk of blood clots in the veins and arteries
Sign and Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Bloody Diarrhea is the main symptom of ulcerative colitis. Pus is also seen in the stool with this disease. Here are some signs and symptoms that are associated with ulcerative colitis:
- Belly pain with cramps
- Frequent urges to poop
- Feeling of tiredness
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Pain in joints or soreness
- Canker sores
- Pain in the eye while looking on the bright side
- Low red blood cells- a condition called anemia
- It feels like you have not emptied the colon after pooping
- Waking up at night
- You are unable to hold your stool in the body
- Bleeding and pain with movements of the bowel.
Treatment of ulcerative colitis: (2)
Drug therapy or surgery is the treatment of ulcerative colitis. There are several categories of drugs present that are effective in treating ulcerative colitis. The severity of this disease depends upon the type of this disease. It may take time to select the best possible medication for the treatment, as some medications will be effective for some people but not for others. Always look for the risk to benefit ratio as these medications have serious side effects.
Anti-inflammatory drug
These drugs include:
- 5-aminosalicylates: this class includes the medications such as sulfasalazine, mesalamine, balsalazide, and olsalazine. It can be taken by mouth or in the form of an enema or suppository.
- Corticosteroids: prednisone and budesonide are included in this category. These medications are used to treat severe ulcerative colitis, but these medications are given for a short time because of their serious side effects.
Immune system suppressors
Drugs included in immunosuppressants are:
- Azarhioprine and mercaptopurine
- Cyclosporine
- Tofacitinib
Biologics
Proteins that are made by the immune system are targets by this class of therapies. Biologics that are used to treat ulcerative colitis are:
- Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab.
- Vedolizumab
- Ustekinumab
Other medications:
Additional medications are required to treat symptoms of this condition. Such as;
- Anti-Diarrheal medications
- Pain relievers
- Antispasmodics
- Iron supplements
Surgery:
Ulcerative colitis can be removed by the surgery and it requires complete entire removal of the colon or rectum. The procedure of Ileoanal anastomosis surgery is mostly done in most cases. After this procedure patient doesn’t need to carry a bag to collect stool. A pouch is constructed at the end of the small intestine by your surgeon. The pouch is directly attached to the anus that allows the patient to expel the waste in a normal manner. When a pouch is not possible in some cases, then the surgeon creates a permanent opening in the abdomen from where a stool is passed to the bag for collection.
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