Inflammatory Bowel Disease (also known by it’s in initials IBD), is the general name given for diseases that cause inflamation in the small and large intestines.  Ulcerative Colitis is one of the diseases that is classified as an IBD. It is a chronic and serious condition where ulcers develop in the lining of the colon. It is also very difficult to diagnose because ulcerative colitis symptoms are very similar to another IBD by the name of Crohn’s Disease.

There are many theories as to the cause of ulcerative colitis. Even though it is found that people with the disease have abnormalities of the immune system, it is not known if these abnormalities are the cause or the result of ulcerative colitis.  It is believed that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive tract. Contrary to prior beliefs and theories, is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products. However, it is known that these factors may trigger the symptoms of some people.  It is also known that the stress of living with the disease may also contribute to the worsening of ulcerative colitis symptoms. 

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

The common ulcerative colitis symptoms include diarrhea containing blood, abdominal cramps, anemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, loss of body fluids and nutrients and rectal bleeding as well as joint pain, delayed growth (in children), anemia and skin lesions. Symptoms vary from mild to severe.

There are several tests to determine the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis including blood tests, stool samples and a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Ulcerative colitis reatment includes drug therapy, hospitalization and surgery. Drug therapy includes Aminosalicylates, Corticosteroids and Immunomodulators and it helps induce and maintain remission as well as improve the quality of life for people with ulcerative colitis symptoms. Hospitalization is required if the symptoms are severe enough including severe bleeding or severe diarrhea that causes dehydration. When hospitalized, the doctor will try to stop diarrhea and loss of blood, fluids, and mineral salts by a special diet, feeding through a vein, medications, or sometimes surgery. If there is mass bleeding or if the ulcerative colitis symptoms are unresponsive to the drug therapy, surgery may be necessary to remove the colon. There are two options available and among them are Ileoanal anastomosis and Ileostomy. 

Ileoanal anastomosis is a procedure that includes the removal of the colon and the inside of the rectum, leaving the outer muscles of the rectum. The surgeon then attaches the ileum to the inside of the rectum and the anus, creating a pouch. This pouch serves as a reservoir that collects the waste and gets passed through the anus in the usual manner.

An ileostomy is a procedure when the surgeon creates a small opening in the abdomen, called a stoma, and attaches the end of the small intestine, called the ileum, to it. Waste is carried out of that stoma an into a specially made bag that is attached to the patient’s abdomen. The patient empties that bag when it is needed.

It is important to note that if you show any ulcerative colitis symptoms, you should immediately see your doctor for proper ulcerative colitis treatment.