What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the large intestine and rectum become inflamed and eventually produce ulcers. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, along with Crohn’s disease.
Can it be cured?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition, which means it cannot be cured. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom control and achieving “remission,” where no symptoms are present. This does not mean that symptoms cannot recur. Ulcerative colitis is a fluctuating condition involving “flares” (see below).
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:
- Diarrhea, often containing blood
- Stomach pain and rectal pain
- Frequent need to go to the bathroom
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by “flares,” in which symptoms worsen over a period of time, and symptoms can be experienced anywhere in the body. These may include:
- Mouth ulcers
- High temperature
- Painful and swollen joints
- Irritated eyes
Everyone experiences ulcerative colitis differently. With proper treatment and self-management, some people can experience long periods of “remission” with only mild or no symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of:
- Stool sampling to rule out other conditions such as infection or colon.
- Blood tests to rule out anemia or inflammation
- Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to view the inside of the large bowel
Sometimes, the doctor may need to do an x-ray to check for serious complications, but this is much less common.
Diarrhea, stomach pain, or rectal pain may be some symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
What causes ulcerative colitis?
The cause of ulcerative colitis is not known. Many health professionals now think it may be an autoimmune condition that involves the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells. This may be due to an infection in the large intestine.
However, there are other factors that play a role as well:
- You are more likely to have the condition if a family member has had it.
- Having certain genes makes you more likely to have the condition.
- The condition is more common in places with high hygiene.
Therefore, ulcerative colitis appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Treatment
Treatment for ulcerative colitis includes lifestyle and dietary changes, medications and, in very extreme cases, surgery.
Lifestyle changes
For some people, making changes in their diet can help control symptoms and reduce the frequency of “flare-ups.” Some helpful changes may include:
- Making sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.
- Making sure you have a well-balanced diet with all the vitamin and minerals you need, possibly with the help of supplements.
- Avoid foods to which you are intolerant (e.g., avoid dairy products if you are lactose intolerant).
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals, rather than a few large meals.
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications to achieve different goals, including:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids.
- Immunosuppressants usually used to treat flare-ups or for patients who have not responded to anti-inflammatory drugs.
Surgery
Surgery is usually only recommended when a patient has not responded to medication or is experiencing severe flare-ups that significantly affect their daily life. Surgery will involve removal of the colon and replacement of its function with an ileostomy or ileo-anal pouch. This leads to complete cure of the condition.