A GRAPHIC GUIDE TO ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Ulcerative Colitis is a inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the cells that line the rectum and the colon (large intestine). The result is formation of ulcers, which can bleed profusely and upset the digestion process. Lifestyle adaptation and medication can control the inflammation and the effects of Ulcerative Colitis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF UC?
Stomach Pain & Diarrhoea
The first sign of Ulcerative Colitis is the stomach pain you get along with bloody diarrhoea. These symptoms may be irregular of persistent and very severe.
Sudden Weight Loss
Chronic inflammation of the alimentary canal leads to loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and cessation from normal growth for children.
Other Warning Signs
Sometimes Ulcerative Colitis exhibits symptoms outside the alimentary canal. These symptoms include skin sores, joint pain, anaemia, fatigue and frequent fatigue are some other symptoms of UC.
PEOPLE AT RISK
More and more Indians are now diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. This can be attributed to their food habits and inability to be active. Ulcerative Colitis is more common between the age of 15 to 25 years. UC can be also hereditary.
Causes for Ulcerative Cancer
Ulcerative Colitis is still a mystery as far as any specific cause is found out. It is though suspected that it is an immune system. What happens is that the inflammation in the alimentary canal prevents the good bacteria in the Intestine to react differently. Gene mutation may contribute. Yet another cause is stress or diet that can bring about UC.
Urgent Care for UC
Ulcerative Colitis can sometimes get serious and usher you into a hospital. The condition can be due to a bleeding ulcer, uncontrolled diarrhoea and dehydration. The first thing a doctor will do is to prevent the loss of blood or fluids. If you get a tear in the colon then you will have to visit the doctor and undergo a surgery.
Effects of UC
Ulcerative Colitis hikes the risk of colon cancer especially when the entire colon is affected for long periods of time. Medical attention on priority is needed to put the UC into remission and lower the risk of cancer. Colonoscopy can detect colon cancer at an early stage.
How to Control UC?
Modern medicine has many drugs that can help get the inflammation out of the body and help with recovering the power of the alimentary system. Anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed by doctors or use of biologic therapy which is the latest treatment for high risk Ulcerative colitis. If everything fails then the final treatment is surgery.