Ulcerative Colitis

Several problems could occur in the digestive system, which might be chronic and dangerous, such as ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis

It’s a type of the common inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and it causes ulcers and inflammation in the internal lining of the large intestines and the rectum.

Types of ulcerative colitis:

• Ulcerative proctitis.
• Inflammation in the rectum and sigmoid colon (the s-shaped lower part of the colon).
• Left-sided colitis.
• Pancolitis.

Causes of ulcerative colitis

There isn’t a specific cause for ulcerative colitis. It’s believed that there are several risk factors that trigger the immune system and causes it to attack the colon, which leads to its inflammation. The risk factors include the following:

• Age: Ulcerative colitis most often occurs in the ages between 15 and 30 years old or older than 60 years old.
• Genetic factors.
• Ethnicity: It occurs more in the white race.
• Gut microbiome: Which includes the bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the intestines. A disturbance in this microbiome might lead to ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis

In most cases, a flare of symptoms occurs, which means that the ulcerative colitis patients go through the symptoms for a period of time and then go through a remission period.

At the beginning of the condition, the symptoms are mild and include:

• Diarrhea with or without blood.
• Increased bowel movements.
• Feeling the need to defecate without being able to.
• A sudden need to defecate.
• Mild abdominal pain and cramps.

As the condition progresses, these symptoms manifest:

• Frequent bowel movements.
• Blood and mucus in the stool.
• Extreme abdominal pain and cramps.
• Tiredness and exhaustion.
• Fever and nausea.
• Sudden weight loss.
• In some cases, there is pain and swelling in the joints, redness and itchiness or burning in the eyes, and rash, blisters, or ulcers on the skin.

Complications of ulcerative colitis

• Anemia.
• Colon cancer.
• Osteoporosis.
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
• Growth problems in children.
• Ulcerative colitis might also lead to severe complications that require emergent management, such as:
• Dehydration.
• Colon perforation.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Blood clots.
• Toxic megacolon: It occurs due to severe inflammation that causes the colon to stop working. Therefore, the materials start to build up in the colon and causes the toxins to seep into the bloodstream.

Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis

• Physical examination.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests and endoscopy.
• Stool tests.
• Colon biopsy.

Treatment of ulcerative colitis

The treatment aims to relieve the flare symptoms or prolong the remission period, and it includes:

• Specific medications for ulcerative colitis relieve the condition and accompanying symptoms.
• Surgery in severe cases, in which the colon is partially or fully removed and a substitute is implanted.

Prevention of ulcerative colitis

The flare periods and symptoms can be reduced by:

• Managing stress and sleeping well.
• Avoiding foods that trigger the colon, and they differ between people.
• Avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin, etc.
• Following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly.