Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcer in colon and rectum. In this disease the internal surface of colon may be broken down or ruptured. This is a long-term disease and is very common in North America and Europe as compared to other regions.
It usually happens in the age of fifteen to thirty years. Men and women are affected equally. In United States millions of people get affected by this disease. Dietary changes will also help in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Research show that high calorie diet and lactose free diet is very helpful in treating UC. It is also known as the kind of IBD (inflammation bowel disease) along with the Crohns disease and microscopic colitis.
Main causes of ulcerative colitis
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown, but scientists are in search of these causes. The cause which is known to trigger the ulcerative colitis is tobacco smoking. It increases the risk of ulcerative colitis in the colon.
The other factors that may also increase the risk of ulcerative colitis in the body. The causes include genetic, age, environmental and overactive immune system.
Experts say that genetics is the main cause for ulcerative colitis in the patient. It usually occurs due to the variation between different genetic markers and linkages. It is being observed that about eight to fourteen percent of people have the ulcerative colitis in their family history. Their family has the history of IBD. Moreover, it is also observed that identical twin rate is ten percent whereas the rate of non-identical twins is only three percent.
The main point which is more important and plays vital role is people with first degree relative suffering from ulcerative colitis have more chances to get the disease.
The higher incidence age for ulcerative colitis is fifteen to twenty-five. In this age people are more likely to get ulcerative colitis.
There are many autoimmune diseases that lead to ulcerative colitis in the patient. These disorders include celiac disease, sclerotic, rheumatoid arthritis, acute intermitted and porphyria etc. these are the diseases which can lead to ulcerative colitis in the patient. There are many other factors which may cause ulcerative colitis in the body. There are many infections like mycobacterium; avian subspecies Para tuberculosis are the most common infection that causes ulcerative colitis.
If the level of hydrogen sulfide becomes high in the intensities this leads to ulcerative colitis in the body. There are many theories which suggest that this level have much toxic effect on intestine. The dairy product also increases the rate of inflammation in the intestine. Therefore, dairy product plays a vital role in producing ulcerative colitis in the intestine of patient.
Classification of ulcerative colitis
There are many doctors who says that ulcerative colitis has many different types. It depends upon the location in the patient body. The types of ulcerative colitis are given below:
- Ulcerative proclitic
- Proctosigmoiditis
- Left sided colitis
- Pan colitis
If inflammation occurs in the closest area of the rectum and causes the rectal bleeding. This type is called ulcerative proclitic.
If the inflammation occurs in rectum at the lower end of colon which is known as sigmoid. This type of inflammation called proctosigmoiditis. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain.
When the inflammation occurs in the whole colon. This type is called pancolitis.
Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis
People who are suffering from ulcerative colitis may experience mild symptoms or no symptoms as well. This condition is called remission. When the condition gets worse, the symptoms also get worse. This is known as flare up. The symptoms for ulcerative colitis are given below:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stools[i]
Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis
There are different tests for ulcerative colitis which help in the diagnosis. Doctors will suggest many tests to their patient. This might help to observe the condition of ulcerative colitis in patient’s body.
First of all, stool test help to check the inflammatory markers, blood, bacteria and parasites. This will help in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in the colon.
The other test is endoscopy. Doctors will use a long table to check the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. This is a flexible tube.
The other test is called colonoscopy. This will help to check the rectum of the patient. Doctors take the long tube and insert it into the rectum. Biography also helps in this regard. Doctor will take the piece of colon for the analysis. There are many blood tests that help to diagnose ulcerative colitis in the patient.
Treatment of ulcerative colitis
Treatment of ulcerative colitis is totally dependent upon the condition of the patient and symptoms also.
Doctors may suggest many medicines for the patient who suffer from mild symptoms. The medication includes Linda, azulfidine, colas at, dentin, 5-ASA, remicade, entyvio, stellar. These all are the effective medicines used in ulcerative colitis treatment.
If anyone is suffering from severe symptoms they might need to be hospitalized. This should need a quick treatment. The other treatment for the ulcerative colitis is surgery.
If the disease becomes chronic and patient feels severe symptoms, they will most definitely need the surgical treatment. In the surgery the entire colon is removed, or they create new pathway for the waste material. There are also natural treatments for ulcerative colitis if the patient is not suffering from severe symptoms. This remedy includes boswellia, bromeliad, probiotics, pylon, turmeric.
There is no specific diet for ulcerative colitis but a good diet plan will help to reduce the inflammation. Eating low fat will help in ulcerative colitis treatment or intake of vitamin C through fruits and juices also help in this regard. Fiber is also important in ulcerative colitis diet plan. It will also help to treat ulcerative colitis in the intestine.[ii]
References:
[i] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326
[ii] https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/ulcerative-colitis/what-is-ulcerative-colitis
