The large intestine is partly responsible for allowing good bowel movement, which is something that most people usually take for granted. But as with other parts of the body, your large intestine can also encounter its fair share of problems over time.
If youve been experiencing abdominal cramps that are accompanied by bloody diarrhea or the urge to frequently empty your bowels, then its likely that your large intestine is no longer in good shape, and you may be suffering from a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) known as ulcerative colitis.1 To fully understand this disease, let us first discuss what the large intestine is and how it works.
The large intestine is the final segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Its a tubular structure with a length of about 5 feet and a diameter of approximately 3 inches.2 The primary function of this essential body part is to absorb water from undigested food to form a solid stool. It also aids in the absorption of vitamins and production of antibodies.3 There are different parts that make up the large intestine, and each one performs a specific function. These include:4,5,6
The entire large intestine will be compromised if one of its parts malfunctions. This may result in various medical problems that range from something as simple as intestinal gas to serious conditions like ulcerative colitis.7
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic IBD that causes the colon and rectum to become inflamed and develop ulcers or small open sores, which produce pus and mucus. It may also cause inflammation outside the intestine, particularly on the skin, joints and eyes.8
The exact culprit behind this disease is still unknown, but researchers believe that its a result of an overactive immune response. Its also hard to predict when this disease is active since the remission period may last up to several years, only to be interrupted by an occasional flare-up just when you least expect it. The symptoms may vary from mild abdominal pain to excessive amounts of blood in stools, which may even require a blood transfusion.9,10
Living with ulcerative colitis can be very hard. The urgent bowel movement that it causes can be embarrassing. On top of that, you also have to deal with abdominal pain, digestive disorders and other severe symptoms that may interfere with your daily life.
There is no permanent cure for ulcerative colitis yet, but there are holistic treatments and techniques that can help you control its symptoms, as well as achieve and maintain remission for a long period of time. Since it is a life-long disease, it usually requires ongoing treatment methods that are specifically suited for the type of ulcerative colitis that you have and the severity of your symptoms.11
Expanding your knowledge about this disease may also help you manage and avoid any possible complications that it may lead to. These pages contain helpful information about ulcerative colitis so you can learn more about its warning signs, the possible causes behind it, its different types and the recommended diet and treatment methods to keep flare-ups from occurring.
What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Read the rest here:
Everything You Need to Know About Ulcerative Colitis
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- Ulcerative Colitis: Facts on Symptoms, Treatment and Diet - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis - National Digestive Diseases ... - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- CCFA: What is Ulcerative Colitis | Inflammatory Bowel Disease - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis: Get Facts on Symptoms and Diet - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Ulcerative colitis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Testimonial - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- My Fight With Ulcerative Colitis - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Diet in Ulcerative Colitis - Best and Worst Foods - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Why Ulcerative Colitis is (Literally) a Pain in the Butt - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- My Journey= Ulcerative Colitis Proctitis PART 1 - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Top 15 Ways to Cure Ulcerative Colitis Naturally - Diet & Home Remedies - Video - October 15th, 2014 [October 15th, 2014]
- Updates in Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn's disease - October 17th, 2014 [October 17th, 2014]
- Ulcerative colitis Symptoms - Diseases and Conditions ... - October 17th, 2014 [October 17th, 2014]
- Dr. Morse Explains Ulcerative Colitis and Intestinal Conditions - Video - October 20th, 2014 [October 20th, 2014]
- Depression Stress Anxiety IBS Colitis Arthritis Treatment Allergy Testing Reiki Healing Scotland W - Video - October 20th, 2014 [October 20th, 2014]
- Taylor Healing process - Video - October 20th, 2014 [October 20th, 2014]
- Treating Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Video - October 20th, 2014 [October 20th, 2014]
- Take Steps Walk for Crohn's and Colitis - Video - October 21st, 2014 [October 21st, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis & Me - Video - October 21st, 2014 [October 21st, 2014]
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals: CORTIMENT MMX, a new treatment for ulcerative colitis, receives European approval - October 22nd, 2014 [October 22nd, 2014]
- Sleep duration affects risk for ulcerative colitis - October 22nd, 2014 [October 22nd, 2014]
- My Journey= Ulcerative Colitis Proctitis PART#3 - Video - October 23rd, 2014 [October 23rd, 2014]
- Added benefit of vedolizumab is not proven - October 24th, 2014 [October 24th, 2014]
- My Journey= Ulcerative Colitis Proctitis PART#2 - Video - October 24th, 2014 [October 24th, 2014]
- Why Food Network Star Sunny Anderson Can't Eat Vegetables - October 24th, 2014 [October 24th, 2014]
- New compounds reduce debilitating inflammation - October 26th, 2014 [October 26th, 2014]
- Sleep Duration Linked to Ulcerative Colitis Risk in Study - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- Ulcerative colitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis - American Society of Colon and Rectal ... - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- NHS Ulcerative Colitis - NHS Choices - Your health, your ... - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- How to heal intestines | Ulcerative Colitis | SCD Lifestyle - Video - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diet & Herbal Remedies in Punjabi - Video - October 27th, 2014 [October 27th, 2014]
- Receptos: good results for ulcerative colitis drug - October 29th, 2014 [October 29th, 2014]
- Should I Drink Alcohol if I Have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis - Video - October 29th, 2014 [October 29th, 2014]
- New clinical trial data: Multiple sclerosis drug candidate also shows promise for ulcerative colitis - October 30th, 2014 [October 30th, 2014]
- TSRI's MS Drug Also Shows Promise In Ulcerative Colitis - November 1st, 2014 [November 1st, 2014]
- Justin Mirigliani repping 260lbs on the Bench! Never Surrender! Fighting Ulcerative Colitis! - Video - November 1st, 2014 [November 1st, 2014]
- Managing Ulcerative Colitis Naturally: Outlook & Perspective - Video - November 1st, 2014 [November 1st, 2014]
- My Ulcerative Colitis Diet - Video - November 1st, 2014 [November 1st, 2014]
- Healing my Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 2nd, 2014 [November 2nd, 2014]
- Peoria Connections Interview - Successes with autoimmune disease, ADHD, ulcerative colitis - Video - November 2nd, 2014 [November 2nd, 2014]
- Crohns Disease & Ulcerative Colitis The Diagnosing Difficulties - Video - November 2nd, 2014 [November 2nd, 2014]
- My Ulcerative Colitis Story - Video - November 3rd, 2014 [November 3rd, 2014]
- Pudge Rodriguez will be special guest at Crohns and Colitis Foundation dinner - November 4th, 2014 [November 4th, 2014]
- Diagnosing Crohns Disease & Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 4th, 2014 [November 4th, 2014]
- Natural Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis with Causes and Symptoms - Video - November 5th, 2014 [November 5th, 2014]
- Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 5th, 2014 [November 5th, 2014]
- CME Outfitters and USF Health to Host Medical Symposium in Conjunction with the 2014 Advances in IBD Crohns & Colitis ... - November 7th, 2014 [November 7th, 2014]
- How sleep affects my Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms - Video - November 7th, 2014 [November 7th, 2014]
- Healing my Ulcerative Colitis Webcam video from November 4, 2014 05:49 PM - Video - November 7th, 2014 [November 7th, 2014]
- Managing Extra-Intestinal Manifestations of Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 7th, 2014 [November 7th, 2014]
- Causes and Treatment of Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 8th, 2014 [November 8th, 2014]
- How to stop the Cause of IBS, Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 8th, 2014 [November 8th, 2014]
- Introduction to Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 8th, 2014 [November 8th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Dr Tehsina0 - Video - November 8th, 2014 [November 8th, 2014]
- Taking Steps Against Crohn's and Colitis - November 9th, 2014 [November 9th, 2014]
- How To Make Chicken 3 Ways + Gut Healing Bone Broth - by Thyroid Loving Care - Video - November 10th, 2014 [November 10th, 2014]
- Ileal Pouch - Anal Anastomosis in Chronic Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 10th, 2014 [November 10th, 2014]
- Vlog #1 - November 10 2014 - Video - November 11th, 2014 [November 11th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Patient Success Story - Video - November 11th, 2014 [November 11th, 2014]
- How to Recover from Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 12th, 2014 [November 12th, 2014]
- Vlog #2 - November 11, 2014 - Living with Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 13th, 2014 [November 13th, 2014]
- How IBD (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) Affects Mental Health - Video - November 15th, 2014 [November 15th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Got Me Down - Video - November 15th, 2014 [November 15th, 2014]
- Surgeon Spotlight: Dr. Amit Merchea - Chronic Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 16th, 2014 [November 16th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Proctitis: Doctor Update, Medications - Video - November 16th, 2014 [November 16th, 2014]
- Ulcerative Colitis Got You Down Too? - Video - November 16th, 2014 [November 16th, 2014]
- Management of ulcerative colitis - Wikipedia, the free ... - November 17th, 2014 [November 17th, 2014]
- IBD Support Group: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis - November 17th, 2014 [November 17th, 2014]
- Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and the Team Challenge endurance training program - Video - November 17th, 2014 [November 17th, 2014]
- Let's CRUSH Ulcerative Colitis LIke a Coke Can - Video - November 19th, 2014 [November 19th, 2014]
- 21 Weeks Pregnant Update! - Ultrasound & Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 20th, 2014 [November 20th, 2014]
- Healing my Ulcerative Colitis Webcam video from November 17, 2014 02:48 PM - Video - November 20th, 2014 [November 20th, 2014]
- Is Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis Hereditary? - Video - November 22nd, 2014 [November 22nd, 2014]
- Celebrity chef Sunny Anderson on living with irritable bowel disease - November 23rd, 2014 [November 23rd, 2014]
- 13 Years with Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 26th, 2014 [November 26th, 2014]
- Mark: Healed of Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 26th, 2014 [November 26th, 2014]
- Colonoscopy of Ulcerative Colitis - Video - November 30th, 2014 [November 30th, 2014]