Understanding Ulcerative Colitis

Understanding Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and
sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large
intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part
of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. Ulcerative colitis
rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, called
the ileum. Ulcerative colitis may also be called colitis, ileitis, or
proctitis.

The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea.
Ulcers form in places where the inflammation has killed colon lining
cells; the ulcers bleed and produce pus and mucus.

Ulcerative colitis occurs most often in people ages 15 to 40,
although children and older people sometimes develop the disease.
Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and appears to run in
some families.

Theories about what causes ulcerative colitis abound, but none have
been proven. The most popular theory is that the body's immune system
reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the
intestinal wall.

People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune
system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause
or a result of the disease. Ulcerative colitis is not caused by
emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products,
but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people.

Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends on the seriousness of the
disease. Most people are treated with medication. In severe cases, a
patient may need surgery to remove the diseased colon. Surgery is the
only cure for ulcerative colitis.

Some people whose symptoms are triggered by certain foods are able
to control the symptoms by avoiding foods that upset their intestines,
like highly seasoned foods or milk sugar (lactose). Each person may
experience ulcerative colitis differently, so treatment is adjusted for
each individual. Emotional and psychological support is important.

Most patients with mild or moderate disease are first treated with
5-ASA agents, a combination of the drugs sulfonamide, sulfapyridine,
and salicylate that helps control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is the
most commonly used of these drugs. People with severe disease and those
who do not respond to mesalamine preparations may be treated with
corticosteroids. Prednisone and hydrocortisone are two corticosteroids
used to reduce inflammation.

About 5 percent of people with ulcerative colitis develop colon
cancer. The risk of cancer increases with the duration and the extent
of involvement of the colon. For example, if only the lower colon and
rectum are involved, the risk of cancer is not higher than normal.
However, if the entire colon is involved, the risk of cancer may be as
great as 32 times the normal rate.

Because chronic diarrhea can strip your body of essential nutrients,
it is very important to eat a balanced diet and maintain a high fluid
intake, to avoid becoming dehydrated. Nutrient deficiencies commonly
found are as follows: iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, vitamin
B12, C, E, K, A, D, B1, B2 and folate.

A lack of these nutrient's are associated with growth retardation,
anaemia, bone loss, lack of energy and proneness to infection and food
sensitivities. Supplementation is essential in these conditions. If the
drug sulfasalazine is used to control the bowel inflammation, vitamin
B12 and folate injections must be considered on a regular basis.