Ulcerative colitis is a disease that is listed as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disease will attack only the colon and will present itself in the colon lining in a continuous pattern. Ulcerative colitis does not skip areas. Remission is possible with therapy. It is estimated that over 1 million patients suffer from ulcerative colitis.
Considerations
Estimations are that ulcerative colitis may to run in families, but this is not yet certain. This disease is still in the learning stages. So far, 20 percent of patients will have one or more family members with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease, which is another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis can strike at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in the mid 30s. Ulcerative colitis is incurable at this time, however, by taking care of oneself, a long and productive life can be accomplished. Patients should follow all physician-suggested treatments.
Common Symptoms
Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed as small ulcers along the lining of the colon. Abdominal pain followed by a worsening of diarrhea is the most common sign. The abdominal pain will generally start out mild and increase in the level of pain and frequency until a strong urge to go to the bathroom begins. At that point the patient may begin a normal bowel movement and will end with diarrhea.
Mild to Moderate Symptoms
Loss of appetite, excessive gas, weight loss and fatigue are also common symptoms. The fatigue will be noticeable in daily routines--normal daily chores will be harder to accomplish and a need to lay down or take a nap becomes more of a necessity.
Severe Symptoms
More severe cases will show symptoms of intermittent bleeding from the rectum, bloody diarrhea during an active flare up, joint pain, fever, skin lesions and liver disorders. Joint pain will feel like arthritis or tendinitis. Fever will usually be low grade--a temperature of 99 to 100 degrees F most of the time is common. Skin lesions can be discoloration of parts of the skin or skin tags, which are small pieces of skin that protrude from the surface of the skin. Patients can have one or more of the listed symptoms. Diet can sometimes cause a flare up of ulcerative colitis but is not considered a cause. Symptoms should be discussed with a physician for a proper diagnosis.
Care
Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed by a physician with various tests, including a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, blood tests or x-rays of the GI tract. Colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies will give a visual to the physician to determine if there are any ulcers present and a biopsy of the skin tissue is common to test for other conditions during the diagnosis process. There are different treatments available for ulcerative colitis. Anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, antibiotics and newer methods of immune modifiers and biologic therapies are the most common forms of treatment. Diet is also important. Each patient will learn as time goes by which foods will trigger an attack and eventually change his diet as needed. Stress plays a role in the number of flare ups an individual may have, as the worry of the disease in public places may trigger a trip to the restroom. Outside stress factors in an individual's life will also play a role.
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