The danger of ulcerative colitis is that it is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer in addition to other complications. What are the available treatment options and ways to live with the disease?
What is ulcerative colitis?
It is a type of chronic inflammation that affects the colon and rectum, which causes ulcers to appear in the colon wall, which can lead to bleeding or pus formation.
Ulcerative colitis is divided based on the disease's effect on the different parts of the colon and rectum. There are 3 types:
- Ulcerative proctitis
In this type, inflammation occurs only in the last part of the large intestine, i.e. the rectum, and only affects a part less than 6 inches. It is considered one of the mildest types of ulcerative colitis, and it is not associated with an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Colon cancer.
- Left-sided colitis
It is the type that occurs in the curved region of the colon located near the spleen, and even the distal colon region, which includes the sigmoid colon and the descending colon, and is called distal ulcerative colitis.
- Severe colitis
It is the type that affects the entire colon, as inflammation begins in the rectum and extends upward to exceed the splenic curvature of the colon. It is one of the most severe types of ulcerative colitis.
Distinctive symptoms of ulcerative colitis and how to recognize them
There is a difference in the severity and seriousness of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from one patient to another, and the symptoms also change over time in the same patient. The patient may suffer from mild symptoms for a period of time, and then there comes a period in which the symptoms are very severe and negatively affect his life.
The most important symptoms of ulcerative colitis include the following:
- Chronic diarrhea, which may contain mucus and blood, is a result of the intestine’s inability to properly absorb water and nutrients.
- التعب والإرهاق.
- Abdominal pain and cramps.
- Pain in the rectum.
- The need to defecate constantly.
- Blood in stool.
- Anemia.
- الحمى.
- Malnutrition and weight loss.
- Joint pain and swelling.
- Skin problems, as fatty swellings can appear under the skin, causing bumps and spots to appear on the outer surface of the skin.
- Mouth ulcers.
- Eye inflammation and redness.
- Nausea and decreased appetite.
Factors leading to ulcerative colitis
Research and studies still have not revealed the specific and precise cause of ulcerative colitis, but it has been found that there are some risk factors that increase the chances of contracting the disease, which include the following:
- Genetic factor and the presence of a family history of the disease.
- There is a defect in the immune system, as it attacks the cells of the digestive system instead of attacking foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses.
- Age: The chances of infection before the age of thirty increase significantly.
- Infection, because it stimulates the immune system and leads to inflammation.
- التدخين.
- Excessive use of certain medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- A diet high in fat and sugar may increase your risk, although there is no conclusive evidence for this.
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Methods of preventing colon ulceration
Although the main cause of ulcerative colitis has not been proven, there are some preventive methods that aim to reduce exposure to risk factors for contracting the disease, which are as follows:
- Do not take excessive painkillers without consulting a doctor.
- Follow a healthy diet rich in fiber to help regulate bowel movements.
- Avoid foods that irritate the colon, such as spicy foods, fatty foods, soft drinks, and caffeine.
- Divide meals into five or six small meals.
- Drink large amounts of fluids throughout the day.
- Relieve stress by practicing breathing and relaxation exercises and getting enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly, such as walking and swimming.
- Quit smoking.
- Regular examinations, especially for those with a family history of ulcerative colitis.
Health complications that may result from ulcerative colitis
The common risk of neglecting treatment of ulcerative colitis in the long term is an increased risk of colon cancer, but there are other serious complications of the disease, including:
- Intestinal bleeding.
- Thickening of the intestinal wall.
- Severe dehydration.
- Toxic megacolon.
- Colon rupture.
- Sepsis or blood infection.
- Inflammation of the skin, joints, and eyes.
- Kidney stones.
- هشاشة العظام.
- Inflammation of the joints between the bones of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis).
- Poor growth and delayed puberty in children.
How to diagnose ulcerative colitis
The diagnosis of colon ulceration depends on several steps that begin with asking the doctor about the symptoms and family history of diseases, to try to guess the disease, after which the following stages take place:
- Physical examination: The doctor examines the patient's abdomen to check where there is pain or any noticeable swelling.
- The doctor will order some laboratory tests such as a blood test so that he can assess the extent of the infection in the body, measure blood anemia, and measure some proteins associated with intestinal inflammation.
- Stool sample analysis: to detect the presence of hidden blood, or an increase in the number of white blood cells.
- Colonoscopy: It is an accurate imaging examination for diagnosis Colon diseasesA thin endoscopic tube equipped with a small camera is used into the colon to clearly see the lining of the colon and examine the presence of infections and ulcers. A biopsy can also be taken from the colon for careful examination in the laboratory.
- In some cases, the doctor may resort to a CT scan or MRI to obtain more detailed images of the abdomen and the extent of the ulcerative inflammation.
الأسئلة الشائعة:
What options are available to treat ulcerative colitis?
There is no specific, curative treatment for ulcerative colitis, but there is more than one treatment option that aims to:
- Control symptoms, relieve pain, and prevent diarrhea.
- Helping the patient with proper nutrition.
- Prevent complications.
- Improving the patient's quality of life and coping with the disease to live as normally as possible.
The doctor depends on the following factors in choosing the treatment method:
- The site of inflammation is in the intestine.
- Severity of inflammation.
- How well the condition responds to this type of treatment.
- Suffering from any other diseases.
Treatment options available to treat ulcerative colitis include:
Treating ulcerative colitis with medications
The doctor may recommend several types of medications to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, as follows:
- Aminosalicylates: These are the main medications for treating mild or moderate ulcerative colitis, as they help relieve inflammation and reduce symptoms.
- Corticosteroids: The doctor prescribes them as anti-inflammatory drugs, an alternative to aminosalicylate drugs, for severe cases that do not respond to them, or in cases where you have other health problems.
- Immunosuppressants: to reduce the activity of the immune system and stop attacking colon cells, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
- Biological or biological medications: to get rid of certain proteins that cause inflammation.
- Janus kinase inhibitors: to reduce and calm inflammation, such as tofacitinib.
Treating ulcerative colitis with surgery
The doctor makes the option of surgery in advanced cases of ulcerative colitis, when other treatments fail to control the disease, and serious complications begin to appear, including the following:
- Colectomy:
In severe cases of ulcerative colitis and serious complications such as cancer or persistent bleeding occur, the spread of the disease is limited to the colon only.
- Ileostomy surgery
The colon and a large part of the rectum are removed due to the spread of the disease, creating a small pocket of the small intestine and connecting the pocket to the remaining part of the rectum directly above the anus. This surgery is characterized by the ability to control the defecation process, since the anal muscles are not removed.
- Ileostomy
This surgery aims to remove the colon, rectum, and anus due to the spread of the disease in them. Then, a permanent ileostomy is made, that is, an opening in the abdomen for waste to exit by passing part of the small intestine through the stoma and installing a detachable plastic bag to collect the stool.
Treating ulcerative colitis at home
Treatment at home depends on changing lifestyle and following healthy habits that help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery, but this does not replace treatment with medications or surgery in cases that require it. These habits include avoiding anxiety and stress, adhering to the dates of taking medications, and following a healthy diet.
Can ulcerative colitis affect daily eating patterns?
Ulcerative colitis certainly greatly affects the daily diet, due to suffering from symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, in addition to the sensitivity of the digestive system to some foods as a result of inflammation.
Patients with ulcerative colitis must examine the type of food they eat and how it affects the symptoms of the disease. Although there is no uniform diet, there are general tips that are suitable for all cases, including:
- Low-salt food to reduce water retention in the body.
- Foods low in insoluble fiber to avoid stimulating bowel movements.
- Lactose-free diet for people with dairy intolerance.
- Low-fat foods and avoid fried foods that cause digestive disorders.
- Eat meals in small portions at intervals instead of eating large meals.
- Avoid soft drinks, which can cause gas and bloating.
- Reduce your caffeine intake, which can worsen diarrhea and digestive problems.
- Avoid eating spicy foods that increase digestive disorders.
- Pay attention to consuming fluids and drinks that compensate for the lack of fluids in diarrhea.
- Take food supplements to compensate for the deficiency resulting from diarrhea and poor absorption of food, but under the advice of a doctor.
How common is ulcerative colitis among different ages?
Statistics indicate that ulcerative colitis can occur at all age levels, but it is common between the ages of 15 and 30 years. In addition, the risk of infection increases after the age of 50 years, especially in men.
Ulcerative colitis can also affect children, but it is not as common as adults. Genetic factors, the presence of environmental triggers, and the strength of the immune system affect the prevalence of the disease.
In conclusion, neglecting to treat ulcerative colitis leads to complications that threaten the patient’s life. If you suspect that you or a member of your family is infected, you must visit us at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and consult a doctor to diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate treatment.
You can contact us on our numbers listed on the website for more details, reservations and inquiries.
Sources and references
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
