Ulcerative colitis – causes, symptoms, treatment

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Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory process that affects the lining of the anus or large intestine. Symptoms of the disease are ulcers, prone to bleeding and infections. Ulcerative colitis can be very troublesome and unpleasant, and treatment can only be carried out by a doctor.

Ulcerative colitis – characteristics

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a group of diseases that affect the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis occurs when the colon and / or rectum become inflamed. In some cases both organs can become inflamed.

This inflammation causes small sores called ulcers to form in the lining of the colon. Usually inflammation begins in the rectum and spreads as it goes upward – it can affect the entire colon.

Inflammation causes cells on the surface of the lining of the large intestine to die, forming ulcers. They, in turn, cause bleeding and the release of mucus and pus in the stools.

Ulcerative colitis affects people of all ages, with most patients being diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. After the age of 50, there is another slight increase in the diagnosis of this disease, usually in men.

Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. Treatment of this condition can significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease and even lead to long-term remission.

Ulcerative colitis – causes and risk factors

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors can worsen but do not cause ulcerative colitis.

One possible cause is a malfunction of the immune system. When the immune system tries to fight off an attacking virus or bacteria, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack cells in the digestive tract as well.

Heredity also appears to play a role in ulcerative colitis being more common in people whose family members have the disease.

Ulcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and men.

Risk factors for ulcerative colitis can include:

1. age – ulcerative colitis usually begins before the age of 30. However, it can occur at any age, and in some people the disease may not develop until after the age of 60,
2. race or ethnic origin – although white race is most at risk of disease,
3. family history – probably genetic factors influence the development of the disease, especially when parents or grandparents are burdened with the disease.

Also check: The functioning of the immune system can be perverse

Ulcerative colitis – types

Doctors often classify ulcerative colitis based on its location. The types of ulcerative colitis include:

1. ulcerative proctitis – inflammation is limited to the area closest to the anus (rectum). Rectal bleeding may be one of the symptoms of the disease. This form of ulcerative colitis is the mildest
2. inflammation of the rectum and colon– this inflammation affects the rectum and the sigmoid colon (lower end of the colon). The signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to have a bowel movement despite needing to (urge).
3. left-sided colitis – inflammation extends from the rectum to the sigmoid colon and the descending colon. The signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain on the left side, and unintentional weight loss,
4. pancolitis This type of ulcerative colitis often affects the entire colon and causes bouts of bloody diarrhea that can be severe, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue and significant weight loss.
5. acute, severe ulcerative colitis -this rare form of colitis affects the entire colon and causes severe pain, profuse diarrhea, bleeding, fever and an inability to eat.

See also: Treatment of diarrhea rarely requires antibiotics

Ulcerative colitis – symptoms

The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is preceded by symptoms:

1. the key symptom is diarrhea with blood;
2. painful pressure on the stool with repeated bowel movements during the day, these are the so-called snorting stools, i.e., with the simultaneous sudden expulsion of some gas);
3. feces of various consistency (from watery to semi-liquid), foul-smelling, usually containing an admixture of mucus, purulent contents and very often some fresh blood;
4. abdominal distension and an increase in the tone of the integuments;
5. cramp pains in areas affected by colitis;
6. periodic low-grade fever or fever.

As a result of the above symptoms, the patient complains not only of troublesome diarrhea, but also general weakness, loss of appetite, decreased immunity, and anemia.

The diagnosis will be made by the doctor on the basis of hospital observation and diagnostic tests: radiological examination of the large intestine, colonoscopy of the rectum and possibly higher sections of the large intestine, along with histopathological examination of the samples taken and serological tests of specific antibodies.

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See: Why is it worth examining feces?

Ulcerative Colitis – Effects on other organs

Ulcerative colitis can cause problems outside of the gut. Joint problems such as swelling and pain (arthritis) affect about one in 10 people with colitis.

Most often it affects the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles, but it can also affect the joints of the spine and pelvis. Joint problems can come and go – in some people, joint problems will worsen during an exacerbation, but in others it can occur even without gut symptoms.

Colitis can also cause skin problems. The condition called erythema nodosum affects about one in 10 people with colitis. It causes painful red swelling, usually in the legs, which becomes a bruise. This condition usually appears during exacerbations and generally resolves with colitis treatment.

Some people with colitis develop eye inflammation. The most common condition is episcleritis, which attacks the layer that covers the white of the eye, causing redness, soreness and inflammation. Episcleritis tends to flare up at the same time as colitis and may require anti-inflammatory treatment; sometimes steroid drops are prescribed.

Uveitis (inflammation of the iris) and scleritis (which affects the white outer layer of the eye) have also been linked to colitis. These are serious problems and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness.

People with colitis are more likely to develop thinner and weaker bones. This may be due to the inflammatory process itself, poor absorption of calcium needed for bone formation, low calcium levels due to avoidance of dairy products, or use of steroid medications.

Smoking also increases this risk. Weight-bearing physical activity, calcium and vitamin D supplements – as well as drug treatment for some people can help.

Some people with colitis develop hepatitis. A condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) affects no more than one in 25 people with colitis. PSC causes inflammation of the bile ducts and can eventually affect liver cells. Symptoms include fatigue, pain, itching, jaundice and weight loss. Treatment usually consists of a medicine called ursodeoxycholic acid.

People with colitis are about twice as likely to develop blood clots in the veins, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs. The risk is greater during an exacerbation or when you are confined to bed, such as in a hospital. Reduce your risk by quitting smoking, staying as mobile as possible, drinking plenty of fluids, and wearing support stockings.

See: Viral hepatitis served on a plate

Ulcerative colitis – diagnosis

At the outset, the doctor should rule out infection as the cause of inflammation. For this purpose, the stool is examined for the presence of leukocytes, but also the stool is cultured and cultured for the presence of leukocytes. Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia and other microorganisms and tests for Clostridium difficile.

Colon endoscopy: is a test that allows you to fully diagnose the disease and its extent. During the examination, the doctor takes a section of the intestine for histopathological examination.

CT (computed tomography), Abdominal X-ray, abdominal ultrasound: are methods that help your doctor recognize extraintestinal lesions and complications caused by ulcerative colitis.

Want to rule out possible illnesses that could be causing your bowel symptoms to persist? You can have your stool screening for chronic bowel disease done by ordering it through Medonet Market. It is also worth buying a test package for digestive system diseases, thanks to which you will check the health of your digestive system.

Read: Abdominal computed tomography – all you need to know

Ulcerative colitis – complications

Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colon cancer. The longer the duration of the disease, the greater the risk of developing cancer.

Other potential complications of ulcerative colitis include:

1. thickening of the intestinal wall,
2. sepsis,
3. severe dehydration
4. acute distension of the colon,
5. bleeding from the gut
6. kidney stones
7. inflammation of the skin, joints and eyes,
8. colon rupture
9. ankylosing spondylitis, which involves inflammation of the joints between the bones of the spine.

Constant inflammation of the intestines can eventually cause cancer cells to grow. People with ulcerative colitis are twice as likely to develop colon cancer. This risk mainly increases with the duration of the disease (8-10 years).

For people who have had UC for more than 8 years, it is important that they are screened by colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years.

Ulcerative Colitis – Is It Contagious?

Ulcerative colitis is not contagious. Some causes of colitis or colitis can be contagious. This includes inflammation caused by bacteria and viruses. However, ulcerative colitis is not caused by anything that infects the other person.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two main forms of IBD. Both conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. While they have many similarities, there are key differences between them.

Here’s how ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are similar:

1. both diseases often develop in adolescents and young adults, although the disease can occur at any age.
2. ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease affect men and women equally,
3. the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are very similar,
4. the causes of both UC and Crohn’s disease are unknown, and both diseases share similar types of factors, such as environmental, genetic, and an inadequate immune system response.

The differences between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are:

1. ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon, while Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus,
2. in Crohn’s disease, the healthy parts of the intestine are mixed up between the inflamed areas. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is continuous inflammation of the colon,
3. ulcerative colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon, while Crohn’s disease can affect all layers of the intestinal wall.

Inflammatory bowel disease can be monitored by a marker of inflammation in the gut. Do you want to check its level? Order a calprotectin mail-order test based on a stool sample.

Read: How to live with Crohn’s disease?

Ulcerative enteritis – diet

A person with ulcerative colitis may find they need to change their diet to relieve symptoms. There is no one diet or meal plan that is right for everyone with ulcerative colitis, and diets are individually tailored for each patient. Depending on the symptoms, different types of diets are recommended, such as:

1. High-calorie diet: Many people with ulcerative colitis lose weight and may develop signs of malnutrition. A high-calorie diet can prevent these problems,
2. lactose-free diet: people with ulcerative colitis may also be lactose intolerant.
3. Low-fat diet: Ulcerative colitis can interfere with fat absorption, and eating fatty foods can cause symptoms. This is often recommended during an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis.
4. low salt diet: this diet is used when patients are undergoing corticosteroid therapy to reduce water retention.
5. Gluten-free diet: People with ulcerative colitis may be sensitive to gluten.

Paying attention to nutrition is important for patients with ulcerative colitis because symptoms of diarrhea and bleeding can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and loss of nutrients. You may need to take dietary supplements if your symptoms do not allow you to eat a nutritionally balanced diet. You can buy the high-quality Regenerat Imun dietary supplement from the Dr Jacob’s brand at an attractive price on Medonet Market.

Talk to your doctor about what supplements to take. Many people with ulcerative colitis find it easiest to eat smaller, more frequent meals than a few large meals. It can also help increase the amount of nutrients that are absorbed by the food you eat.

Remember about the healing effects of all kinds of herbs. For stomach and intestinal ulcers and other problems with the digestive system, use chamomile and bergamot, which can be found in the organic herbal tea Idyllic aromas. Also try the intestinal tea consisting of knotweed herb, cinquefoil, St. John’s wort, algae, plantain leaves, mare root, marigold flower.

To check if there is inflammation in our intestines, it is worth performing a Dispatch test for fecal calprotectin concentration.

Ulcerative colitis – treatment

Treatment requires pharmacotherapy and, in some cases, surgery. Moreover:

1. during the exacerbation of the disease, a liquid or semi-liquid diet, without milk, is administered in small amounts 5-7 times a day (often due to concomitant allergy to cow’s milk proteins),
2. as diarrhea recedes – a more energy-rich and protein-rich diet with a reduction in fat, elimination of high-residual dishes, raw fruit, vegetables, spicy spices and alcohol. During the remission period, the diet is expanded,
3. in complications such as: peritonitis, rupture of the intestinal wall, abscesses, fistulas, hemorrhages, surgical procedures are necessary,
4. measures to alleviate neurotic reactions are very helpful in achieving the effectiveness of treatment,
5. diagnosed deficiencies are supplemented, if necessary, with appropriate intravenous drip infusions and blood transfusions.

The main medications used to treat ulcerative colitis are mesalazine or sulfasalazine and glucocorticosteroids. In more severe cases, immunosuppressants, cyclosporin or tacrolimus, and even a biological drug – infliximab, are used.

When pharmacological methods give no effect, surgery is necessary. During the procedure, the doctor resects part or all of the large intestine.

For prophylactic and supportive treatment, drink twice a day. For ulcers – herbal tea available on Medonet Market at a favorable price.

Is there a chance of a complete recovery?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease, and its treatment is largely aimed at preventing or relieving symptoms from recurring. It is said that a complete cure for this condition is not entirely possible. The positive thing is that there are very mild forms of colorectal ulcers without bothersome symptoms.

Unfortunately, there are situations where the long duration of the disease and its extensive area eventually lead to colon cancer. Therefore, it is important to take anti-inflammatory drugs as a prophylaxis against cancer development.