Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis - a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum, and increases the risk of colon cancer.

If your ulcerative colitis becomes so severe that it can't be helped by medicines, it may be necessary to remove part or all of your colon surgically.

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis can show itself in these ways

• Abdominal, colon and rectal pain with cramping
• Stomach gurgling or splashing sounds
• Mucus Poop and Diarrhea
• Fever, nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Bleeding in the digestive (hematochezia) tract causing red poop
• Joint pain

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

• Eat small portions
• Drink lots of fluids and water
• Avoid high-fiber food
• Avoid fatty, greasy or fried food
• Limit milk products if you are lactose intolerant
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

• Control symptom severity
• Prevent future attacks
• Help heal the colon

Ulcerative Colitis Causes

The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. While ulcerative colitis affects all age groups, age groups most at risk are 15 - 30 and 50 - 70.

The disease usually begins in the rectal area and may spread through the entire large intestine. Repeated swelling (inflammation) leads to thickening of the wall of the intestine and rectum with scar tissue. In severe cases of the disease, death of colon tissue may occur.

Ulcerative colitis severity and may start slowly or suddenly and many factors can lead to severe attacks. Risk factors include a family history of ulcerative colitis, or Jewish ancestry.

Ulcerative Colitis Complications

Hospitalization is often required for severe ulcerative colitis attacks. Surgery to remove the colon will cure ulcerative colitis and removes the threat of colon cancer. Surgery is usually recommended to patients who have:

• Do not respond to medical therapy
• Precancerous changes in the lining of their colon
• Colon rupture
• Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Toxic megacolon

Surgery to help ulcerative colitis patients often includes the removal of the entire colon, including the rectum. After ulcerative colitis surgery, patients may need a procedure to open in the abdominal wall to connect the small intestine to the anus to help the patient gain more normal bowel function.

Ulcerative Colitis Tests and Diagnosis

• Colonoscopy with biopsy is generally used to diagnose ulcerative colitis
• Barium enema
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Sedimentation rate (ESR)

Due to the risk of colon cancer associated with ulcerative colitis, screening with colonoscopy is recommended. The risk of colon cancer increases in each decade after ulcerative colitis is diagnosed.