Understanding Ulcerative Colitis and Treatment Options

The intestinal tract of the human body is where food is processed as part of the digestive system, and it ends at the colon. It is here that ulcerative colitis begins to cause a degradation of the person’s gastrointestinal health. Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and irritation in the colon, and when left untreated it leads to ulcers developing in the tissue lining of the organ. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, but it’s helpful to understand that ulcerative colitis symptoms are different from those of other irritable bowel diseases like IBS or Crohn’s disease.

The reality for those with ulcerative colitis is that it is a lifelong condition, but one that can be managed very effectively so that ulcerative colitis symptoms are not overly detracting from quality of life. We’ll look at ulcerative colitis symptoms in greater detail here, as well as the different ulcerative colitis causes and the most effective ulcerative colitis treatments.

Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed via a blood test, stool sample test, a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy where the colon is observed directly via an insert that has a miniature light and camera.

Ulcerative Colitis Causes

The body’s immune system is absolutely essential in fighting off external threats that come into the body and have the potential to cause illness and other major health risks. Unfortunately, when it comes to ulcerative colitis it’s a situation where the immune system is making a mistake. It mistakes food, helpful intestinal flora (bacterial colonies), and even the cells of the colon itself to be invaders and sends out white blood cells to the colon thinking there’s a problem there.

This is what causes ulcerative colitis – the severe inflammation of the colon resulting from the actions of white blood cells constantly being present and active in the area. As for who is most susceptible to getting ulcerative colitis, the medical community isn’t entirely sure of what types of people will get it more easily.

The disease is known to run in the family, with children of men and women with ulcerative colitis developing it the same way their parents did. Food allergies and life stresses are not ulcerative colitis causes, but they can trigger flares of ulcerative colitis symptoms and make the disease worse if providing constant stimuli. Long-term substance abuse can also lead to a weakening of the entire digestive system and as such is another of these ulcerative colitis causes.

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

The unfortunate truth is that ulcerative colitis can be a painful and problematic condition for sufferers. There are a whole host of possible ulcerative colitis symptoms, and most people with it will have the main symptom – bloody diarrhea – along with any of the following ulcerative colitis symptoms:

  • Cramps and belly pain
  • Sudden and urgent need to empty bowels immediately
  • Feeling of not having emptied colon entirely after bowel movement
  • Abnormally long periods of experiencing no hunger
  • Unnatural weight loss
  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Fever
  • Dehydration
  • Canker sores
  • Eye pain when exposed to bright light
  • Skin sores
  • Anemia (whole body weakness resulting from two few red blood cells)
  • Frequently waking up at night to use the toilet
  • Not being able to control bowel movements

These symptoms typically come and go, and will flare up to extreme levels from time to time. For some people with ulcerative colitis they will have symptoms that disappear for months or even years before they reappear.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

An effective ulcerative colitis treatment will be one that relieves ulcerative colitis symptoms and promotes healing of the colon. Additionally, it should ideally prevent or reduce the severity of future flare-ups. Medication for ulcerative colitis is always going to be part of the approach, but the first one needs to be dietary changes. Speaking with your physician and arranging for a food allergy test is a good idea.

For example, some people may be unaware that they are lactose intolerant and then when the test makes them aware of it they experience a drastic reduction in ulcerative colitis symptoms when they stop eating and drinking dairy products.

As mentioned, however, it is almost certain that your physician will prescribe medication to treat ulcerative colitis. Common ones are Lialda (Mesalamine / Mezavant) and Asacol (5-ASA). Anti-inflammatory meds may also be prescribed to target the resulting inflammation of the colon more specifically. For others with ulcerative colitis certain drugs classified as biologics that are made will living cells instead of chemicals will be best for their recovery.

As a last resort, a physician may deem it necessary to remove the colon entirely with a surgery known as a colectomy.