Category Archives: Ulcerative Colitis

Definition Ulcerative colitis, one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, is characterized by recurring episodes of inflammation of the mucosal layer of the large bowel not related to an intestinal infection or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The inflammation always involves the rectum and can extend proximally in a continuous fashion. Ulcerative proctosigmoiditis refers to inflammation extending into the sigmoid colon. Left-sided colitis refers to inflammation extending up to, but not beyond, the splenic flexure. Pancolitis refers to disease that extends proximally to the splenic flexure. Approximately 50% of patients present with proctosigmoiditis, 30% with left-sided colitis, and 20% with pancolitis. Interestingly, about 50% progress to more extensive disease over the first 5 years of disease.1 The inflammation is characterized by superficial ulcerations, granularity, and a distorted vascular pattern (Figure 1). Histologic features include an expansion of the lamina propria with inflammatory cells and crypt abscesses (Figure 2. There are usually no fistulae or granulomas, the usual histologic features of Crohn disease. Back to Top The annual incidence of ulcerative colitis is between 1 and 10 cases per 100,000 people, depending on the region studied. The peak age-specific inci-dence occurs near 20 years, and a second smaller peak occurs … Continue reading →

Is There a Special Diet for Ulcerative Colitis? It is only natural to assume that because ulcerative colitis is a condition that affects the digestive system, diet could play a role in preventing or treating it. Many people wonder if there is a special "ulcerative colitis diet" to help slow down the progression of, or even cure, the disease. The short answer to this question is no. Despite extensive research, there is no special diet that has been proven effective for preventing, treating, or curing ulcerative colitis. Until more data is available, people should continue to follow balanced and healthy diets, be skeptical of "miraculous" claims, and avoid elimination diets and fad nutritional practices. Some suggestions for eating a well-balanced diet include: You should also try and get regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. A person with ulcerative colitis should take vitamin supplements only as his or her doctor recommends. Read the original here: Ulcerative Colitis Diet - Colitis Home Page … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis is long-lasting disease that inflames the lining of the large intestine (the colon) and rectum. Ulcerative colitis usually affects people 15 to 30 years old. People with ulcerative colitis have tiny ulcers and small abscesses in their colon and rectum that flare up periodically and cause bloody stools and diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis is characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and remission, when the symptoms of the disease disappear. The periods of remission can last from weeks to years. Test Your Colitis IQ Confused by ulcerative colitis (UC)? No surprise there; it can be a bewildering disease, sometimes easily confused with other gastrointestinal troubles. On top of that, symptoms can disappear for months or even years, then return for no apparent reason. New treatments and strategies, though, can help you take control. Test your UC smarts: Are the following statements true or false? 1. Ulcerative colitis is also known as Crohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome. All affect the... Read the Test Your Colitis IQ article > > Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and then spreads to other segments of the colon. How much of the colon is affected varies from person to person. If it is limited … Continue reading →

UC is an ongoing disease of the colon, or large intestine. UC is known as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)a term used to describe a number of inflammatory diseases that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If you have an inflammatory disorder such as UC, your immune system attacks your own GI tissue. People with UC can experience a number of signs and symptoms, including severe abdominal cramping and pain, fatigue, and the sudden, uncontrollable urge for bowel movements. But with appropriate medical treatment, many people with UC are able to achieve real symptom control. While the direct cause of UC is unknown, here's what we do know. First, you may be more likely to experience UC if it's part of your family's medical history. Second, UC symptoms begin when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, for reasons we do not yet understand. Normally, the immune system (the body's natural defense system) protects your body from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign agents. When you have UC, your immune system incorrectly targets your GI tract. This causes inflammationleading to the symptoms and flares usually experienced with UC. UC typically develops in people between the ages of 15 and 30. … Continue reading →

ULCERATIVE COLITIS OVERVIEW Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease in which the lining of the colon (the large intestine) becomes inflamed and develops sores (ulcers), leading to bleeding and diarrhea. The inflammation almost always affects the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it can affect the entire colon (figure 1). Although ulcerative colitis cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled. Most people with ulcerative colitis are able to live active and productive lives. Controlling the disease usually means taking medications and seeing a healthcare provider on a regular basis. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment of ulcerative colitis. More detailed information about ulcerative colitis is available by subscription. (See "Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prognosis of ulcerative colitis in adults" and "Management of severe ulcerative colitis".) ULCERATIVE COLITIS CAUSES Ulcerative colitis is part of a group of conditions called inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn disease is another inflammatory bowel disease, although it can affect the entire digestive tract (mouth to anus) (figure 2). Inflammatory bowel disease is NOT the same as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (See "Patient information: Crohn disease (Beyond the Basics)" and "Patient information: Irritable bowel syndrome (Beyond the Basics)".) The cause of ulcerative … Continue reading →

Dylan Ellis/Digital Vision/Getty Images Updated January 07, 2015. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that results in chronic inflammation in digestive tract, usually in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include: Symptoms may also occur outside the gut and include joint pain, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions, and mouth ulcers. There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis. Alternative therapies are popular among people with ulcerative colitis, however, so far scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat ulcerative colitis is lacking. It's important to note that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Here are nine natural remedies to consider: Probiotics, "friendly" bacteria that reside in the gut, have been found to be effective in managing ulcerative colitis. They help control the number of potentially harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and improve the protective mucus lining of the gut. Probiotics are among the more popular remedies for inflammatory bowel disease because they are without significant side effects and appear to be safe for most people. A University of Alberta study examined 34 people with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis who were unresponsive to conventional treatment. The … Continue reading →

The primary goal in treating ulcerative colitis is to help patients regulate their immune system better. While there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis and flare ups may recur, a combination of treatment options can help you stay in control of your disease and lead a full and rewarding life. Treatment for ulcerative colitis and other IBD varieties is multifaceted and includes the use of medication, alterations in diet and nutrition, and sometimes surgical procedures to repair or remove affected portions of your GI tract. Medication for ulcerative colitis can suppress the inflammation of the colon and allow for tissues to heal. Symptoms including diarrhea, bleeding, and abdominal pain can also be reduced and controlled with effective medication. In addition to controlling and suppressing symptoms (inducing remission), medication can also be used to decrease the frequency of symptom flare ups (maintaining remission). With proper treatment over time, periods of remission can be extended and periods of symptom flare ups can be reduced. Several types of medication are being used to treat ulcerative colitis today. In some circumstances, a health care provider may recommend adding an additional therapy that will work in combination with the initial therapy to increase its … Continue reading →

Treatment for ulcerative colitis is different from one child to another. What helps one patient may not help another. Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends upon many things: The goal of treatment is to: Some patients go into remission (the symptoms of ulcerative colitis go away). However, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to come back (a "flare"). Several different types of medicines may be used to help control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Each helps decrease theswelling in the lining of the colon. Anti-inflammatory drugs (aminosalicylates or 5-ASA drugs) are usually used to treat mild to medium symptoms. Some examples are Asacol HD, Pentasa, Lialda, Apriso and Colazal. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, help to put a patient with medium to severe symptoms into remission. These drugs are not good to use for a long time because of side effects. Drugs that suppress or quiet the immune system (immunomodulators) are used in medium to severeulcerative colitis to help patients stay in remission. Some examples are Imuran (azathioprine), purinethol (6-MP) and methotrexate. Antibiotics may also be used to treat bacteria in the small intestine that can keep the inflammation going. Some examples are Flagyl (metronidazole), Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Rifaxamin. Biologics are … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine (also known as the large bowel or colon). The most common symptoms are bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain Figure 01. Ulcerative colitis involves periodic inflammation and loss of tissue (ulceration) of the lining of the large intestine. The condition produces frequent bouts of urgent, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes with abdominal cramping. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood, and is characterized by periods of exacerbations and remissions. During remissions, the person may feel well and be free of symptoms. Ulcerative colitis shares many common characteristics with Crohns disease, another inflammatory bowel disease. About 15% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease have features of both conditions, and cannot be clearly diagnosed with one or the other. Figure 01. Anatomy of the digestive system The more the bowel is inflamed, the more severe the disease. The inflammation and ulceration of ulcerative colitis is present in the rectum, and may spread up through the large intestine in a characteristically continuous manner. Disease severity depends in part on how much of the intestine is affected. If disease is confined to the rectum (proctitis), symptoms are often relatively minor. Proctosigmoiditis is the term … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and the rectum become inflamed. This inflammation produces tiny sores or ulcers on the lining of the colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It rarely affects the small intestine beyond the lower portion. The inflammation causes the bowel to move bowel contents rapidly and empty frequently. As cells on the surface of the lining of the bowel die, ulcers (open sores) form. The ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus. This disease affects people of all ages. Symptoms tend to develop when people are between the ages of 15 and 30, or between the ages of 50 and 70. The cause of this condition is not known. Researchers no longer believe that it is caused by stress. Today, research focuses on the immune system and heredity for possible causes. Most people with ulcerative colitis dont have a family history of the condition. However, you are more likely to develop it if a close family member also has the condition. Ulcerative colitis can develop in a person of any race, but it is more common … Continue reading →