Tackling Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis also known as the UC is characterized by the the chronic inflammation of the large intestine, which is also called as the colon. The colon is the organ in the body where waste and water are stored. The colon is attached to the rectum which is at the end of the colon near the anus. Those patients who suffer from Ulcerative Colitis suffer from abdominal pain, bleeding in the rectum and diarrhea. These problems are caused due to the development of the ulcers and inflammation in the lining of the colon. Ulcerative Colitis is a disease which falls in the same category as Crohn's disease since they both are inflammatory bowel diseases. The disease affects both men and women equally and usually begins during the adolescence and early adulthood and lasts up to the older age. The exact reason for the disease to occur is not known and it is believed that it may be caused by some abnormal activity in the immune system. The disease is also thought to be genetically inherited.
Now lets discuss the symptoms. Bleeding in the rectum and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The symptoms can vary depending upon the severity of the inflammation. There are types of Ulcerative colitis such as ulcerative proctitis, which is actually the inflammation caused in the rectum. Because of this, a person feels the need to visit the bathroom very frequently. Another type is the Proctosigmoiditis, which is an inflammation of the rectum and also the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon is a small part of the colon adjacent to the rectum. It leads to rectal bleeding. This also causes an urgent need to go to the bathroom frequently and this feeling is accompanied by cramps and pain in the left side of the abdomen. Pancolitis is an inflammation affecting the entire colon and includes weight loss, fatigue, cramping, diarrhea and night sweats. A severe form of Pancolitis is Fulminant colitis. Those who suffer from this type of inflammation witness dehydration, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding and even shock. A surgery is often recommended for this type to prevent the colon from getting ruptured. The disease which causes so much discomfort should be prevented from occurring. However, the disease cant be completely prevented but the severity of the attacks can be minimized. When attacked by ulcerative colitis, the patient should follow treatments carefully and consult the doctors if they notice blood in their stools. The diagnosis recommended for Ulcerative Colitis is done by collection of stool samples and blood tests to analyze the signs of the disease. The blood tests show increased white blood cell count and anemia. Endoscopy is considered the best method for diagnosis. Doctors even take some physical examination and medical history and place a colonoscope or a tube inside the rectum to look at the rectum to confirm the existence of the disease. The tissue sample determines the severity of it. With all these facts relating to Ulcerative Colitis, it is important to understand the symptoms and take adequate precautions to counter it. |
