Ulverative Colitis

About Ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in the digestive tract and forms tiny open spores or ulcers in the digestive tract. It happens due to the overresponsive behaviour of the immune system. The immune system fights bacteria and viruses that can damage the body through inflammation. It disappears as the viruses get destroyed. But in Ulcerative colitis, the inflammation does not go away and continues damaging walls of the digestive tract.

Diagnosis

Endoscopic procedures accompanied with biopsy are the best diagnostic measures for UC. Stool tests and blood tests help in studying conditions like anaemia or the presence of white blood cells or proteins in stool that indicate ulcerative colitis.

Treatment

Treatment involves drug therapy or surgery. Medications work on the principle that UC has a period of relapse and remission. Relapse is when bowel flares up, and remission is when the inflammation calms down. Treatment aims to treat relapse, maintain the condition and help the healing of the bowel.

Causes

The exact cause of Ulcerative colitis is still under research. However, some theories agree that it results from malfunctioning the immune system. Studies have shown that Ulcerative colitis tends to pass in genes and increase the chances of a person becoming more prone to the disease if he has close relative suffering from the same.

What are symptoms of Ulcerative colitis?

Symptoms for the problem vary in nature and intensity. If there are ulcers in the body, one may observe blood and mucus in the stool. Diarrhoea is also a sign as the inflamed bowel has less capacity to absorb water. The person may experience the need to empty bowel immediately and also experience abdominal cramps. Reduced appetite and weight loss are other symptoms that one may notice.

How to live with Ulcerative colitis?

However, many people with Ulcerative colitis live and enjoy life, including work, travel, recreation, sex, and having children. It is because they know the ways of living with Ulcerative colitis. They follow steps like eating a nutritious diet to keep away fatigue and tiredness. Monitoring their diet if any specific food makes their symptoms worse during a flare-up and Learning stress management and relaxation techniques to keep them motivated.

What are Complications associated with Ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis disease can affect a person in multiple ways. It can cause holes in the colon, known as a perforated colon which can increase the risk of colon cancer. It can weaken the bones of the body and cause bone loss osteoporosis. The formation of clots in arteries and veins due to Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of heart problems. Severe bleeding and dehydration have their own set of ways of disrupting the body.