Ulcerative Colitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Unlike Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis does not normally affect the full thickness of the intestinal wall and almost never affects the small intestine. The disease usually affects the rectum and sigmoid (end of the large intestine), and may partially or totally extend to the rest of the large intestine . Ulcerative Colitis usually appears between the ages of 15 and 30. A minority of those affected suffer their first attack between the ages of 50 and 70.

Classified according to the extent of the bowel affected, rectal  ulcerative colitis may be limited to the rectum (ulcerative proctitis) or may affect additional parts of the colon , often with marked symptoms. People who develop ulcerative colitis at a younger age are more likely to have severe symptoms. The disease can also be classified according to the intensity that affects the segments, and can be mild, moderate or severe. So, check out now  Ulcerative Colitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.

Cause Ulcerative Colitis:  Ulcerative Colitis is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This means that the body’s immune system’s defense against infection goes awry and attacks healthy tissue. The most popular theory is that the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria inside the colon for a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon , causing it to become inflamed. Exactly what causes the immune system to behave this way is unclear. Most experts think it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Read more about causes of ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of a Burst:  Some people may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (known as remission), followed by periods when symptoms are particularly troublesome (known as outbreaks or relapses). During a burst, some people with Ulcerative Colitis also experience symptoms elsewhere in the body. For example, some people develop:

• Painful, swollen joints (arthritis)
• Mouth ulcers
• Areas of painful, red, and swollen skin
• Irritated and red eyes

Additional Symptoms May Include:

• shortness of breathe
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• A high temperature (fever)
• Blood in your stools becoming more obvious

In most people, no specific trigger for the rash is identified, although an intestinal infection can occasionally be the cause. Stress is also considered a potential factor.

How Ulcerative Colitis is Treated:  Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis is aimed at relieving symptoms during a flare-up and preventing symptoms from returning (known as maintenance of remission). In most people, this is achieved by taking medications like.

• Aminosalicylates (ASA)
• corticosteroids
• immunosuppressants

Mild to moderate lumps can usually be treated at home. However, more severe flare-ups need to be treated in the hospital to reduce the risk of serious complications Ulcerative Colitis  can present, such as the colon  becoming stretched and enlarged or developing large ulcers. Both can increase your risk of developing a hole in your intestines.

If medications are not effective in controlling your symptoms, or your quality of life is significantly affected by your condition, surgery to remove your Ulcerative Colitis may be an option. During surgery, your small intestine will either be bypassed from an opening in your abdomen (known as an ileostomy), or used to create an internal pouch connected to your anus (known as an ileo-anal pouch).