Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel ailment. It causes irritation, inflammation, and ulcers within the lining of the large intestine (also called the colon). There is no cure, and the symptoms appear on and off throughout. However, the proper treatment calms the inflammation.
Table Of Contents
- Types of Ulcerative Colitis
- What are the Causes of Ulcerative Colitis?
- How is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed and Treated?
Types of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is classified based on the affected part of the colon.
Ulcerative proctitis- It is commonly the mildest form. It is most effective within the rectum, the part of the colon closest to the anus. Rectal bleeding may be the most effective signal of the ailment.
Proctosigmoiditis – This takes place in the rectum and the lower end of the colon. Doctors also call it the sigmoid colon. Symptoms and signs comprise bloody diarrhea, belly cramps and ache, and incapability to move the bowels regardless of the urge to do so
Left-sided Colitis – Irritation extends from the rectum up via the sigmoid and descending colon. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, belly cramping and ache on the left side, and urgency to defecate.
Pancolitis- Entire colon is affected by this type. It could cause severe bouts of bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, pain, fatigue, and major weight reduction.
Acute severe ulcerative Colitis- The whole of the colon is affected, and it also causes intense pain, heavy diarrhea, bleeding, and fever.
What are the Causes of Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative Colitis happens when the immune system in the body malfunctions. Usually, the bad bacteria are attacked by the immune system, but in this case, they let go of the harmful bacteria or virus, mistaking it to be a good one. The risk of getting affected if this disease runs in the family is also high.
How is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed and Treated?
After the physical examination, the gastroenterologist diagnoses Ulcerative Colitis by using a variety of tests, including imaging tests. Blood tests, Stool tests, Computed tomography (CT) enterography, Magnetic resonance (MR)
enterography, Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy exams are some of them performed to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis.
Treatment for ulcerative Colitis can include medicinal drugs, changes to the food regimen, or surgical procedures.
Medication- Several types of medication may be used in treating ulcerative Colitis. The type gastroenterologist prescribes will depend on the severity of the situation. The drugs that work properly for a few people won’t work for others, so it may take time to find a medicine that facilitates. In addition, because a few pills have extreme side effects, advantages are weighed against the risks for the treatment.
Anti-inflammatory capsules are often the first step in the treatment of ulcerative Colitis and are suitable for most people with these circumstances. Immune system suppressors additionally lessen inflammation, but they do so by suppressing the immune system reaction.
Surgery- If the symptoms do not improve or stop after the treatment with medicines, the doctor would suggest the surgery. To treat ulcerative Colitis, surgeons eliminate the colon and rectum and change how the body stores and passes stool.
Ileoanal reservoir surgery- Surgeons create an internal reservoir, or pouch, from the last part of the small intestine, known as the ileum. Surgeons attach the pouch to the anus. Ileoanal reservoir surgical procedure most often calls for two or three operations. After the operations, the stool will gather inside the internal pouch and pass through the anus during the bowel movements.
Ileostomy- Surgeons attach the end of the ileum to a gap in the abdomen known as a stoma. After an ileostomy, the stool will pass through the stoma. An ostomy pouch—a bag connected to the stoma is to be used and worn outside the body to accumulate stool.
