Brief summary:
- a chronic disease of any age; But it is most common between the ages of 15 and 30.
- Ulcerative colitis affects the deepest lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
- Symptoms usually appear gradually over time rather than suddenly.
- Its symptoms can be treated with medications that control inflammation. The treatment may also be surgical.
- There is no way yet to prevent the disease, But there are guidelines that can be taken to reduce symptoms.
an introduction:
It is a chronic disease that affects the inner lining of the large intestine (colon and rectum); This causes inflammation, swelling, and sores called ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine. It can occur at any age. But it is most common between the ages of 15 and 30.
colon:
The colon is a part of the large intestine; It is located in the lower abdomen and occupies a large area of the abdomen. It also extends from the bottom of the rib cage to the pelvic region and is horizontal. It is also the last part of the large intestine; The colon has 4 parts:
- The sigmoid colon (before the anal area).
- descending colon.
- Transverse colon.
- Ascending colon.
- Other names:
- Ulcerated colon - ulcers of the colon.
Species:
- They are often categorized according to location, including:
- Ulcerative proctitis: Inflammation is limited to the area closest to the anus, where bleeding is the sign of this type
- Sigmoiditis: involves the lower end of the colon.
- Inflammation of the left side of the colon: the inflammation extends from the rectum to the sigmoid colon and descending colon.
- Total colitis: Inflammation often affects the entire colon, causing bouts of bloody diarrhea that can be severe.
- Severe acute ulcerative colitis (rare): This type affects the entire colon and causes severe pain, severe diarrhea, and bleeding, with an inability to eat.
Reason:
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, previously it was suspected of diet and psychological stress, But these factors may exacerbate the disease rather than cause it. There are also several factors likely to play a role in its development, such as:
- Heredity: inherited genes may increase the risk of developing it.
- Intestinal overactive immune system: An abnormal immune reaction in the intestine.
Risk factors:
- Age, which usually occurs before the age of 30 years.
family history
- Excessive intake of dairy and its derivatives.
- Take antacids (steroids).
smoking.
Symptoms:
Symptoms usually appear gradually over time rather than suddenly. Most people with it also have mild to moderate symptoms, which include:
- Diarrhea with blood or pus.
- Abdominal pain.
- Feeling tired and unwell.
- Nausea or loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- high body temperature;
- Anemia.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the inflammation and where it occurs.
When should you see a doctor?
When you notice a persistent change in your bowel habits or when you notice the following:
- The appearance of blood in the stool.
- Persistent diarrhea that does not respond to medication.
- An unexplained persistent fever for more than a day or two.
Complications:
- Rectal bleeding.
- Colon hypertrophy.
- Osteoporosis.
- Inflammation of the eyes, skin, and joints.
- Increased incidence of colon cancer.
Diagnosis:
- Medical history.
- family history
- Clinical examination.
- Laboratory tests: blood and stool analysis.
- Other tests such as colonoscopy, x-ray, CT scan.
treatment:
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and symptoms, in addition to the patient's health condition and appropriateness for him. The treatment is either pharmacological or surgical; Where the drug is:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- corticosteroids;
- Immune system suppressants.
The surgery is often the removal of the entire colon and rectum, with surgery to expel the waste naturally. In some cases, a permanent opening may be made in the abdomen through which stool is passed to be collected in an accessory pouch.
protection:
There is no way yet to prevent the disease, But there are guidelines that can be taken to reduce symptoms.
Advice for sufferers:
- Consult your doctor before using antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medicines, or iron supplements. Where the severity of the disease may increase.
- Avoid caffeine and foods that aggravate the disease (such as foods rich in fiber and spicy foods).
- Make sure to follow the diet that was prescribed by the doctor.
- Divide the meals into five or six small meals.
- drinking a lot of fluids; To prevent dehydration.
- Do not stop eating food groups without talking to your doctor.
- Control stress levels by doing physical activity, breathing, and relaxation exercises.
- Take care to control symptoms before pregnancy.
- Quit Smoking.
common questions:
Can a patient with ulcerative colitis get pregnant?
There is no relationship between a woman’s fertility and her readiness for pregnancy in ulcerative colitis, but in the case of complications of the disease and the patient undergoing surgical treatment, it was found that female fertility rates decrease by an average of 26% after surgery.
Taking vitamins on an empty stomach causes ulcerative colitis?
no relationship; Because the infection is usually in the lower part of the intestine, vitamins are absorbed in the upper part.
wrong concepts:
The disease can be treated by changing the diet.
The truth: When we refer to the factors causing the disease, we find among them the person’s diet, so changing the diet has a role in preventing the disease.
Ulcerative colitis is Crohn's disease.
Fact: Crohn's disease affects the entire digestive system from the mouth to the anus, and the symptoms are usually pain, and it includes the entire intestine, unlike ulcerative colitis, which affects the lower part, and thus the pain is in the lower part of the abdomen.
Ulcerative colitis means cancer.
Fact: inflammation of the eye
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