It may also cause signs and symptoms in other body systems, which are called extra-intestinal manifestations.
There is currently no cure for this disease though medications and lifestyle adjustments can make it more manageable.
The inflammation the disease causes begins in the rectum.
Vichuda Sirisarakarn / EyeEm / Getty Images
It may then spread up into the other parts of the colon.
Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohns Disease
Crohn’s diseaseis another common form of IBD.
This includes but is not limited to the small intestine, stomach, esophagus, and mouth.
Some of the other differences include:
What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
Whatcauses ulcerative colitisis not yet well understood.
There are several theories as to what might start the inflammatory process.
Hundreds of genes have been identified as associated with one or more forms of IBD.
Environmental factors: Other factors besides genetics are involved in IBD.
These are not yet completely understood.
Studies show that people with IBD have changes in their microbiome compared to those without IBD.
However, whether that happens before IBD develops or because of the IBD is not yet determined.
Immune system changes: IBD is animmune-mediated condition, meaning that it disrupts the immune system.
The immune system may respond inappropriately, which could lead to a series of events that results in inflammation.
What Triggers UC to Flare Up?
Ulcerative colitis goes through periods when it is less active and more active.
Its not always clear why the disease begins to pick up activity again and why it subsides.
Many people with ulcerative colitis will learn what triggers their disease over time.
There has been some study to understand what might cause a flare-up, but its not settled science.
These include:
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis mainly affects the large intestine.
However, there can also be symptoms outside of the digestive tract, called extra-intestinal symptoms.
However, its important to make a clear diagnosis, which various tests can accomplish.
A colonoscopy is usually the test whose results provide the final pieces of information for the diagnosis.
Medications, changes to diet and lifestyle, and surgery might all factor into it.
Though there are guidelines as to how to treat ulcerative colitis, it is usually specific to each person.
Medication
Several different types ofmedications treat ulcerative colitis.
They include oral medications, injections, and intravenous infusions.
In some cases, especially during a flare-up, two or more medications might apply at the same time.
These cases might require surgery.
There are medical reasons for surgery, but there are also emotional ones.
Some people choose surgery as their form of treatment.
There are a few surgical options for treating ulcerative colitis.
Colectomy with ileostomy: Acolectomyis the total removal of the colon.
After this surgery, the stool must leave the body by means other than through the anus.
One way is through an ileostomy.
Anileostomyis when a part of the small intestine comes out through the abdomen to create a stoma.
A bag is worn over the stoma to collect stool and emptied out several times a day.
In this surgery, the rectum and anus are removed.
This surgery might apply for people who continue to have symptoms even after having a colectomy.
Colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA): This surgery is more commonly known as aJ-pouch.
The last part of the small intestine is fashioned into a reservoir for stool.
It is connected to either the anus or a rectal stump, and stool passes through the bottom.
Continent ostomy: Various types of continent ostomy surgeries for ulcerative colitis have developed.
The most common is the Kock pouch.
An external bag is not necessary.
This surgery is less common since the development of the j-pouch in the 1980s.
Diet matters, but the specifics are on an individual basis.
There are no published guidelines on diet, and study is ongoing.
A Mediterranean diet is sometimes recommended as a starting point for making dietary changes.
Ulcerative colitis may be treated differently in children than it is in adults.
Special attention can ensure that children are receiving proper nutrition and are growing well.
Psychological considerations are also important to see to it children can attend school and socialize with friends and peers.
Additionally, longstanding ulcerative colitis, pancolitis in particular, is associated with a risk of colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer is rare in children with ulcerative colitis.
Not everyone has complications, but understanding what they are can help catch them if they occur.
As many as 17% of people with ulcerative colitis may have an extra-intestinal manifestation.
Anemia:The bleeding ulcerative colitis causes may lead to significant blood loss.
In addition, not absorbing enough nutrients or not eating enough of the right nutrients can lead to anemia.
At the time of diagnosis, approximately 20% of people have anemia.
For those with long-standing disease, the rate is closer to 10%.
The risk may be as much as five times higher than in people without ulcerative colitis.
A yearly or biennial colonoscopy to monitor for colon cancer may be recommended.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC):PSC is a liver disease more common in people with ulcerative colitis.
It may be found in 0.6% of people who have it.
Venous thromboembolism: Thromboembolisms are blood clots in blood vessels.
They are more common in people with ulcerative colitis.
Having severe disease may increase the risk of blood clots.
The cumulative risk is about 1%, which is still relatively rare.
However, it is a serious complication.
The disease may go through periods of activity and remission.
Getting proactive about treatments can help manage the disease’s ups and downs.
Flare-ups may not be avoidable in some cases.
Getting some control over the disease may seem impossible.
This includes making decisions together, so focus on making your treatment goals known.
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