Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition, where the colonand rectum become inflamed . The colon is the large intestine (bowel), and the rectum is the end of the bowel wherestools arestored. Smallulcers can develop onthe colon's lining,and can bleed and produce pus. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are: You may also experience fatigue(extremetiredness), loss of appetite and weight loss. Theseverity of the symptoms varies, depending on how much of the rectum and colon is inflamed and how severe the inflammation is. For some people, the condition has a significant impact on their everyday lives. Some people may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (known as remission), followed by periods where the symptoms are particularly troublesome (known as flare-ups or relapses). During a flare-up, some people with ulcerative colitis also experience symptoms elsewhere in their body. For example, some people develop: In severe cases, defined as having to empty your bowels six or more times a day, additional symptoms may include: In most people, no specific trigger for flare-upsis identified, althougha gut infection can occasionally be the cause. Stress is also thought to be a potential factor. Read more about living with ulcerative … Continue reading →

[Last updated 31st July, 2018] Many people claim to have cured their ulcerative colitis with diet or supplements. Unfortunately, there is no diet or pill that can cure the disease. However, certain diet changes have shown promise in reducing symptoms and easing discomfort. This article explains what we currently know about the role of diet in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), like Crohns diseaseand microscopic colitis that affects the colon (large intestine). Recent studies estimate that IBD affects 2 million people worldwide (1). Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and sores in the inner lining of the colon. Inflammation often begins in the rectum, but it can spread throughout the large intestine. This brief video gives a more detailed look at the disease: Summary: Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and sores in the colon. Ulcerative colitis is thought to develop when a person at genetic risk is exposed to certain environmental stressors. These environmental stressors either change the ratio of gut bacteria or alter the way the immune system responds to bacteria (2, 3). As a result, the immune system attacks the intestinal lining causing inflammation and … Continue reading →

Chronic conditions bring complications to everyday life. My ulcerative colitis (UC), for example, can throw a wrench into things, even when I least expect it. When my UC decides to steal the show, I've learned the best thing to do is to find a way, no matter how difficult it is, to laugh about it and learn from it. For instance, traveling seems to always set off my UC, and this year was no different. Every year, my fianc's family goes to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for vacation, and I've been lucky to join them on the last two trips. His parents are so accommodating when it comes to my UC: For example, they make sure to get everything on my grocery list, so I have access to my safe foods and enough water to stay hydrated while we're there. I usually never sweat it. This year, however, we ran into a lot of travel issues. Our plane was delayed from Chicago, which caused us to miss our flight to Hilton Head from North Carolina. We thought we'd be stranded in North Carolina until the next day. After wandering around the airport and going from car rental company to … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one branch of several types of digestive disorders known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis affects only the large intestine and causes the lining to becomeinflamed and irritatedcreating ulcers that produce mucus, pus and persistent diarrhea. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America estimates that about 700,000 men and women have UC today. It is most often diagnosed in younger adults and teensbetween the ages of about 15 and 30 and occurs equally as often in men and women. It is more common among white people with European heritage and with the Jewish population. Learn more about ulcerative colitis today: call (410) 567-0667 or contact Dr. Alan Stuart Weiss online. Half of all UC patients will have only mild symptoms. You should see a doctor if you have any of the following: Along with these symptoms, you may not feel hungry and may lose weight. It's normal to feelchronic fatigued(very tired) and be low on energy too. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis tend to come and go over time. You may not have symptoms for weeks, months or even years in some cases before it returns. The cause of ulcerative colitis is complicated, and researchers still … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitisis a chroniccondition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. It isan inflammatory bowel diseasethat affect the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis produces tiny sores called ulcers on the lining of your colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It can involve your entire colon. The primary symptoms of active disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea mixed with blood. Weight loss, fever, and anaemia may also occur. Often, symptoms come on slowly and can range from mild to severe.Ulcerative colitis is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohns disease. Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. Theres no cure yet, and people usually have symptom flare-ups off and on for life. The right treatments can help you keep a handle on the disease, though. The actual cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Diet and stress were previously suspected, but now researchers know that these factors rather precipitate but dont cause ulcerative colitis.So far, research hasnt discovered one clear cause for Ulcerative colitis. However, a possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When your immune system tries to fight off an invading micro-organisms, an abnormal immune … Continue reading →

Despite evidence going back 40 years that the turmeric spice component, curcumin, possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity, it wasnt until 2005 that it was first tested on inflammatory bowel disease. Why did it take so long? Well, whos going to fund such a study? Big curry? But lack of corporate backing doesnt stop individual doctors from giving it a try, which is what these New York physicians did. They decided to ask the next five patients that walked into the door with ulcerative colitis to start curcumin supplements. Ulcerative colitis is a debilitating, chronic, relapsing-remittingmeaning it comes and goesinflammatory bowel disease that afflicts millions. As with most diseases, we have a bunch of drugs to treat people, but sometimes these drugs can add to disease complicationsmost commonly nausea, vomiting, headaches, rash, fever, and inflammation of the liver, pancreas, and kidneysas well as wiping out our immune system and fertility. Most ulcerative colitis patients need to be on drugs every day for the rest of their lives; so, we need something safe to keep the disease under control. So, howd they do on the spice extract? Overall, all five subjects improved by the end of the studyand four out of five were … Continue reading →

Categorized under Disease,Health | The Difference between Colon Cancer and Ulcerative Colitis The signs and symptoms of colon cancer and ulcerative colitis often confused by many often leading one to think that a different disease may be present than actually is. However, if these bowel disorders are properly understood as an individual may be able to recognize that there are clear differences from one or another. Nevertheless, it is still important to undergo diagnostic examinations to determine what specific disease is manifested. Below, are images seen through colonoscopy of a healthy, cancerous colon and ulcerative colitis. Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and yet the most misunderstood. This is because the symptoms are not necessarily present in the initial stage of the disease. Most often, the problem stays undetected until it is in the advanced stage. This common type of cancer is fatal, although it is highly preventable and curable if detected ahead of time. No one really knows the cause of ulcerative colitis, but it is regarded as an autoimmune disease, which the bodys immune system attacks itself. However, the reaction of the immune system is not only on the body, but it is triggered … Continue reading →