Ulcerative Colitis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause long-term inflammation and ulcers or sores in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum. Signs and symptoms generally come on slowly.
Ulcerative colitis can be very disruptive and sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Although no treatment has been found to cure this condition, treatment can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms that arise due to this condition.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis can vary, depending on the severity of the inflammation experienced and its location. Signs and symptoms that occur may include:
• Diarrhoea, sometimes with blood or pus
• Pain or cramping in the abdomen
• Rectal pain
• Rectal bleeding, where there is blood in the stool when passing stools
• Feeling of urgency to have a bowel movement
• Difficulty defecation despite feeling the urgency
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Growth and development disorders in children
Reason
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown. This condition is known to get worse due to poor diet and stress. However, this does not cause ulcerative colitis.
One possible cause that is suspected is a disturbance of the function of the immune system. When the immune system fights viruses or bacteria that attack the body, an abnormal immune response can occur, which causes the immune system to attack cells in the digestive tract.
In addition, heredity is also known to play a role in the occurrence of ulcerative colitis. This condition is more common in people who have family members with ulcerative colitis.
Some of the risk factors associated with developing ulcerative colitis include:
• Age. Ulcerative colitis generally occurs before the age of 30. However, this condition can occur at any age and some people may only experience this condition at the age of 60.
• Family history. People with a close family history of ulcerative colitis, such as a parent, sibling, or child, have a higher risk of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis can be determined from a detailed medical interview, direct physical examination, and certain investigations. Several types of supporting examinations that can be carried out are:
• Blood tests. The doctor may recommend a blood test to check for anemia (a condition in which there are no red blood cells that can adequately deliver oxygen to the tissues), or signs of infection.
• Stool sample. Examination of a stool sample can help rule out other possible diagnoses, such as infection due to bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
• Colonoscopy. This examination uses a thin, flexible tube that is accompanied by a camera to be inserted into the anus. During this procedure, the doctor may take a tissue sample or biopsy for further evaluation in the laboratory.
• X-ray examination. A person with severe symptoms may be advised to have an X-ray examination of the abdominal area to rule out serious complications, such as bowel perforation.
• Computerized tomography (CT). Abdominal or pelvic CT examination may be performed if the doctor suspects complications from ulcerative colitis. In addition, this examination can also show how large an area of the intestine is inflamed.
Handling
Treatment of ulcerative colitis generally involves several aspects, namely:
• Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the first step in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, which helps reduce the inflammatory process.
• Treatment with immune system suppressants or immunosuppressants. Drugs that work as suppressors of the immune system can reduce the inflammatory process that occurs.
• Other treatments. Several other types of treatment may be needed, depending on the signs and symptoms experienced, such as anti-pain medication, anti-diarrhea medication, iron supplementation, and so on.
• Surgery may be recommended if other treatments show no improvement. Most surgeries involve forming a pouch from the end of the small intestine that is connected to the anus, which is known as an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis procedure.
Prevention
In individuals who experience ulcerative colitis, several things that can be done to prevent symptoms from occurring are:
• Limit your intake of dairy products
• Limit your intake of food and drinks that can trigger complaints, such as spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine
• Consume enough water every day
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce stress