Friday, March 29, 2024

Tell Me About Ulcerative Colitis

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Where To Find Help With All 3

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis: USMLE STEP 2 Rapid Review

Should you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms laid out above, its imperative that you speak with a gastrointestinal specialist as soon as you can. At the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay, your physician will do a deep dive with you on all of your symptoms, your daily habits, and your overall lifestyle to best understand which condition is truly to blame. We are well versed in treating Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease, and Celiac Disease, having helped many patients throughout the Bay Area find relief. Schedule your first appointment with us now!

Ulcerative Colitis And Colonoscopy

Doctors can use a colonoscopy to diagnose UC or determine the severity of the condition.

Before the procedure, a doctor will likely instruct you to reduce solid foods and switch to a liquid-only diet. Then youll fast for a period of time before the procedure.

Typical colonoscopy prep involves taking a laxative the evening before the procedure, too. This helps eliminate any waste still in the colon and rectum. Doctors can examine a clean colon more easily.

During the procedure, youll lie on your side. Your doctor will give you a sedative to help you relax and prevent any discomfort.

During the exam, the doctor will look for signs of inflammation and check for precancerous growth called polyps. The doctor may also perform a biopsy. The tissue can be sent to a laboratory for further examination.

If youve been diagnosed with UC, a doctor may conduct periodic colonoscopies to monitor inflammation, damage to your intestines, and healing progress.

These symptoms are sometimes associated with UC complications.

If you havent been diagnosed with UC, see a doctor if you experience multiple symptoms of the condition. They can help determine whether you may have UC or another bowel disease.

UC is a chronic condition. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation that causes your symptoms to prevent flare-ups and have longer periods of remission.

What Is The Outlook

With modern medical and surgical treatment, there is just a slight increase in the risk of death in the first two years after diagnosis, compared with the general population. After this there is little difference in life expectancy from that of the general population. However, a severe flare-up of ulcerative colitis is still a potentially life-threatening illness and needs expert medical attention.

As mentioned, if you do not take medication to prevent flare-ups, about half of people with ulcerative colitis have a relapse on average once a year. This is much reduced by taking regular medication. However, even in those who take regular medication, some people have frequent flare-ups and about a quarter of people with ulcerative colitis eventually have an operation to remove their colon.

A year from diagnosis, about 9 in 10 people with ulcerative colitis are fully capable of work. So, this means that, in the majority of cases, with the help of treatment, the disease is manageable enough to maintain a near-normal life. However, the condition can cause significant employment problems for a minority.

Treatment for ulcerative colitis is an evolving field. Various new medicines are under investigation. These may change the treatment options over the next ten years or so and improve the outlook .

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

  • You develop ongoing abdominal pain, new or increased bleeding, fever that does not go away, or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis
  • You have ulcerative colitis and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment
  • You develop new symptoms

There is no known prevention for this condition.

Can You Drink Alcohol With Crohns Disease

Chronic: Chronic Ulcerative Colitis
  • Drinking alcohol is not recommended for most people with Crohns disease.
  • Alcohol may irritate the lining of the intestinal wall, causing or worsening symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding.
  • It also may contribute to malabsorption, further complicating nutritional deficiencies.
  • Alcohol interacts with many medications, causing side effects that may be serious.
  • Alcohol disrupts sleep cycles and can leave you feeling tired, and irritable the next day. However, if alcohol is well tolerated and not causing any complications, it can be consumed in moderation.
  • Chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration very easily.
  • Dehydration makes you feel weak, tired, light-headed, or just blah.
  • Alcohol can cause headaches, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. It also can place dangerous strain on your kidneys.
  • Dehydration can be avoided by making a special effort to take in plenty of nonalcoholic fluids.
  • You should take at least 8 full glasses of fluid every day.
  • Try to stick to water, diluted fruit juice, sports drinks, decaffeinated beverages, and fruit and vegetable drinks.
  • Avoid caffeinated beverages and sodas.

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Ulcerative Colitis And Cancer Of The Colon

The chance of developing cancer of the large intestine is higher than average in people who have had ulcerative colitis for several years or more. It is more of a risk if you have frequent flare-ups affecting the whole of the large intestine. For example, about 1 in 10 people who have ulcerative colitis for 20 years which affects much of their large intestine will develop cancer.

Because of this risk, people with ulcerative colitis are usually advised to have their large intestine routinely checked after having had the condition for about 10 years. This involves a look into the large intestine by a flexible telescope every now and then and taking small samples of bowel for examination. It is usually combined with chromoscopy – this is the use of dye spray which shows up suspicious changes more easily. Depending on the findings of this test and on other factors, you will be put into a low, intermediate or high risk category. ‘Other factors’ include:

  • The amount of intestine affected.
  • Whether you have had complications such as polyps. These are small, non-cancerous growths on the inside lining of the colon or rectum.
  • Whether you have a family history of cancer.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends the next colonoscopy/chromoscopy should depend on the degree of risk of developing colon or rectal cancer. After the next test, your risk will be calculated again.

Goals Of Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

At the IBD Center, our goals for treating your childs ulcerative colitis are to:

  • Restore balance and health to your childs body
  • Relieve any pain or other symptoms caused by ulcerative colitis
  • Make sure your child is getting good nutrition
  • Restore your childs growth and development
  • Ensure your child builds the best bone density
  • Help your child and family with the mental, emotional and social effects of IBD

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How Is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed

  • A rectal exam may show blood. Your healthcare provider will put a gloved finger inside your rectum. He or she will feel for inflammation or blockage.
  • A CT or MRI may show a blockage, an abscess, inflammation, or abnormal connection. You may be given contrast liquid to help your colon show up better in the pictures. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
  • Endoscopy is a procedure used to find the cause of your ulcerative colitis. An endoscope is a bendable tube with a light and camera on the end. A small sample of tissue and bowel movement may be removed. These are sent to a lab for testing.

Diagnosis Of Ulcerative Colitis And Crohns Disease

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The right diagnosis is important as both diseases have similar symptoms. Different ways for doctors to diagnose it correctly include:

  • X-rays or Contrast X-rays that show which parts of the intestine have been affected
  • CT scans and MRIs to ensure its inflammatory bowel disease and rule out other diseases with similar symptoms
  • Endoscopy, a procedure in which a tiny camera is inserted into your digestive system to get a clear look
  • Scientists are also trying to improve several blood tests to make it better at diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns Disease

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Whats The Difference Between Ulcerative Colitis And Colitis

Colitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Colitis causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, and diarrhea.

An inflamed colon can be caused by several conditions. UC is one possible cause. Other possible causes of colitis include:

  • Crohns disease
  • an allergic reaction

To diagnose the cause of colitis, a doctor will order a series of tests. These tests will help them understand what other symptoms youre experience and rule out conditions based on what youre not experiencing.

Treatment for colitis will depend on the underlying cause and other symptoms you have.

Diagnosis Of Ulcerative Colitis

X-rays of the abdomen taken after barium is given by enema do not require any special preparation . These x-rays usually can show a blockage or paralysis… read more ) may indicate the severity and extent of the disease but are not done when the disease is active, such as during a flare-up, because of the risk of causing a perforation. Other x-rays of the abdomen may also be taken.

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Recurring Or Severe Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis

Doctors examine people when their typical symptoms return, but they do not always do tests. If symptoms have been more frequent or longer-lasting than usual, doctors may do sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and a blood count. Doctors may do other tests to look for infection or parasites.

When symptoms are severe, people are hospitalized. Doctors take x-rays to look for a dilated or perforated intestine.

Crohns Disease And Ulcerative Colitis And Digesting Food

171 best images about Ulcerative Colitis on Pinterest

Your mouth and stomach break down food by mechanical and chemical means. When the food has reached a pulp-like consistency, it is slowly released into the first part of the small intestine . The food is then massaged along the length of the small intestine. Organs like the pancreas and the gall bladder make digestive enzymes to further break down the food into its simpler components.

  • Crohns disease an inflamed ileum impairs absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts. Inflammation along the length of the small intestine impairs absorption of all food nutrients. Inflammation of the large bowel impairs water absorption, causing diarrhoea.
  • Ulcerative colitis digestion and absorption are generally not affected. Inflammation of the large bowel impairs water absorption, causing diarrhoea.

Other factors that may affect your nutritional status include:

  • Medication some medication used to treat IBD may lessen your appetite and interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as folic acid.
  • Inflammation your body needs greater amounts of nutrients in order to cope with inflammation and fever.
  • Surgery some people with IBD need surgery to remove parts of their small intestine. This lessens nutrient absorption.

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When To Call The Doctor

  • Cramps or pain in your lower stomach area
  • Bloody diarrhea, often with mucus or pus
  • Diarrhea that cannot be controlled with diet changes and drugs
  • Rectal bleeding, drainage, or sores
  • Fever that lasts more than 2 or 3 days, or a fever higher than 100.4°F without an explanation
  • Nausea and vomiting that lasts more than a day
  • Skin sores or lesions that do not heal
  • Joint pain that keeps you from doing your everyday activities
  • A feeling of having little warning before you need to have a bowel movement
  • A need to wake up from sleeping to have a bowel movement
  • Failure to gain weight, a concern for a growing infant or child
  • Side effects from any drugs prescribed for your condition

Complications Caused By Nutritional Deficiencies

Some of the complications of malnutrition include:

  • Dehydration diarrhoea causes your body to lose fluid, which can lead to dehydration. Severe dehydration can damage your kidneys.
  • Anaemia reduced iron in the diet combined with losing blood from the bowel can lead to anaemia .
  • Weight loss reduced appetite and poor absorption of food nutrients can cause weight loss.
  • Reduced growth inadequate nutrition during childhood and adolescence can impair a childs growth and physical development.

Some people with IBD have painful inflammation in other areas of the body, including:

  • joints of the fingers, hands, feet, ankles and knees
  • joints of the spine, including vertebrae and sacroiliac joints

Two specific skin problems that can occur as a result of IBD are:

  • pyoderma gangrenosum small, sunken ulcers on the skin
  • erythema nodosum painful, small, reddened nodules on the skin .

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What Causes Ulcerative Colitis Flareups

When youre in remission from ulcerative colitis, youll want to do everything you can to prevent a flareup. Things that may cause a flareup include:

  • Emotional stress: Get at least seven hours of sleep a night, exercise regularly and find healthy ways to relieve stress, such as meditation.
  • NSAID use: For pain relief or a fever, use acetaminophen instead of NSAIDs like Motrin® and Advil®.
  • Antibiotics: Let your healthcare provider know if antibiotics trigger your symptoms.

Prognosis For Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative colitis is usually chronic, with repeated flare-ups and remissions . In about 10% of people, an initial attack progresses rapidly and results in serious complications. Another 10% of people recover completely after a single attack. The remaining people have some degree of recurring disease.

People who have disease only in their rectum have the best prognosis. Severe complications are unlikely. However, in about 20 to 30% of people, the disease eventually spreads to the large intestine . In people who have proctitis that has not spread, surgery is rarely required, cancer rates are not increased, and life expectancy is normal.

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What Role Does Diet And Nutrition Play In Ulcerative Colitis

Diet does not cause the development of ulcerative colitis nor can any special diet cure the disease. However, the foods you or your child eat may play a role in managing symptoms and lengthening the time between flareups.

Some foods may make symptoms worse and should be avoided, especially during flareups. Foods that trigger symptoms are different from person to person. To narrow down what foods affect you, keep track of what you eat each day and how you feel afterward .

Problem foods often include:

  • High sugar foods and drinks.
  • Carbonated beverages.
  • High-fiber foods.

In addition to the problem foods listed above, infants, children and teenagers can also experience issues with:

  • Dairy products.

Keep a careful eye on your childs diet and nutrition. Their appetite may decrease during a flareup and they might not eat enough to stay healthy, and grow. Also, the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis may keep their digestive tract from absorbing enough nutrients. This can also affect your childs health. For these reasons, you may have to increase the amount of calories your child consumes.

Its best to work with your provider and nutritionist to come up with a personalized diet plan if you or your child has ulcerative colitis.

Fatigue From Ulcerative Colitis Can Be Brutal

Exhaustion from ulcerative colitis can be so severe its hard to get through day-to-day life. For Sam, fatigue was one of the first signs that something was wrong. I’m usually a pretty energetic person, she says. I like running every day, things like that. And I just couldn’t do it anymore.

After developing ulcerative colitis, you might have to be more careful than youre used to about how you use your energy. Some days I’m just hit with a truck of fatigue, Skomski says. So I always give myself an out. If I have plans with friends or we’re going out of town, Ill tell the other people, I might not feel good and we might have to reschedule.

Sam has had to have similarly frank conversations about the fact that her energy can take a major dip sometimes. I’ve had to teach everyone around me that it doesn’t mean I’m mad at them, it doesn’t mean I’m not happy, she says. It’s just that I have a very concrete amount of energy that day.

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Ulcerative Colitis Vs Crohns Disease

Ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease share similar symptoms and they are both types of inflammatory bowel disease , but they are not the same illness and they affect different areas of the GI tract.

  • Can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall
  • Only the colon and rectum are affected
  • Affects the inner-most lining of the large intestine
  • What is Ulcerative Colitis?

What Else Should I Know

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

People with ulcerative colitis are at risk for colon cancer, which is related to chronic inflammation. So they should get a colonoscopy every 1-2 years, starting about 10 years after diagnosis.

Kids and teens with ulcerative colitis may feel different and not be able to do the things their friends can do, especially during flare-ups. Some struggle with a poor self-image, depression, or anxiety. They may not take their medicine or follow their diet. It’s important to talk to the doctor or a mental health provider if you’re concerned about your child’s mood, behavior, or school performance.

Parents can help teens take on more responsibility for their health as they get older. Encourage teens to take their medicine, take care of themselves, and manage stress in positive ways. Yoga, meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques, music, art, dance, writing, or talking to a friend can help.

You also can find more information and support online at:

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