Ulcerative Colitis

What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel syndrome that causes ulcers in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and rectum. Symptoms range from being mild or severe, but life-threatening complications are possible. This inflammatory condition does not have a cure, but symptoms can be manageable with the right treatment regimens.   

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
Most people with ulcerative colitis will experience the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Rectal pain and bleeding
• Difficulty passing stool
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Poor growth in children

What causes ulcerative colitis?
Although the cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, some risk factors make people more likely to develop it. Stress and diet may play a part in aggravating the disease in people who already have it, but these are not actual causes. An immune system malfunction is a possible cause of ulcerative colitis. Heredity may also play a role since ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease. Risk factors for ulcerative colitis include age, race, and family history. Ulcerative colitis is typically diagnosed before the age of 30, but it can occur at any age. White people have the highest risk of developing the disease from other ethnic groups. 

How do you treat ulcerative colitis?
Medications and surgery are the most common treatment methods for ulcerative colitis. Various medications can help with treating ulcerative colitis. Which medications your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of the condition. Common medications for ulcerative colitis include anti-inflammatory medications, immune suppressors, and biologics. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids are usually the first line of treatment. Immunosuppressants can also help to reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system. Other medications such as pain relievers and antidiarrheals may be used to help with symptom management. Surgical procedures that remove the colon and rectum can eliminate ulcerative colitis.