Ulcerative colitis specifically involves inflammation of the colon or rectum, and sufferers often go through alternating periods of flare-up and remission. During a flare-up, the rectum or colon becomes inflamed, and symptoms worsen. In times of remission, patients experience symptoms to a lesser degree, or none at all.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Symptoms can include rectal bleeding, abdominal cramping, an urgent need to use the restroom, frequent urge to use the restroom, blood in the stool, weight loss, fatigue, nausea and fever.
Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis can be diagnosed by one of several tests. Initially, a patient's doctor may do a physical exam, blood and/or stool tests. Subsequently, patients may referred to a gastroenterologist, who may recommend a barium x-ray, a colonoscopy (which involves inserting flexible, lighted tube through rectum to view entire colon), or a sigmoidoscopy (inserting tube through rectum to view only the sigmoid portion of the colon). During either a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy a doctor will likely take a biopsy of the colon to make the proper diagnose of ulcerative colitis, and to measure its extent.
Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis can be treated by either medications or surgery. Surgery involves removing the entire colon and the rectum and is only recommended for more severe cases of colitis. Medications only treat the symptoms of colitis and cannot cure the disease. They can, however, give colitis patients an improved quality of life and ease their discomfort. There are several types of approved medications, including:
- Topical 5-ASA compounds such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), olsalazine (Dipentum), and mesalamine (Pentasa, Asacol, and Rowasa enema)
- Systemic anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids. Some examples of these are prednisone, prednisolone, and hydrocortisone.
- Immunomodulators, or medications that suppress the body’s immune system. Some examples of these are 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), azathioprine (Imuran), methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), and cycloporine (Gengraf, Neoral).
Patients, however, should be fully educated on each medication and its potential side effects.
Causes of Ulcerative Colitis
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is not known, but it has been attributed to heredity and/or an abnormal immune system. Colitis is more common in industrialized countries, in Caucasians, and in people of Jewish descent.
Increased Risk Factors Resulting From Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis can increase a patient's risk factor for colon cancer. According to MedicineNet.com, "the current estimates for the cumulative incidence of colon cancer associated with ulcerative colitis are 2.5% at 10 years, 7.6% at 30 years, and 10.8% at 50 years." Arthritis and several eye conditions due to increased inflammation is also common. Finally, a fatal condition known as toxic megacolon occurs in rare cases, and requires hospitalization and surgery to remove the colon and/or rectum.
Overall, if one suffers from any of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, it is best that to seek a professional diagnosis immediately. There are many options available to treat inflammatory bowel disease, and which can improve a person's quality of life immensely. Finally, for the sufferers of colitis, there are many online and in-person support groups available. People with ulcerative colitis do not have to suffer alone.
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