Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon.

Ulcerative colitis can happen at any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include anemia, severe tiredness, weight loss, loss of appetite, bleeding from the rectum, sores on the skin and joint pain. Children with the disease may have growth problems.

About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Several types of drugs can help control ulcerative colitis. Some people have long periods of remission, when they are free of symptoms. In severe cases, doctors must remove the colon.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Ulcerative Colitis on Wikipedia

'''Ulcerative colitis''' is an inflammation disease of the intestine that usually affects the distal end of the large intestine and rectum. It has no known cause, although there is a genetics component to susceptibility.

Features

*Chronic (> 6 months) diarrhea (sometimes bloody). *No infective cause of diarrhea found. *Inflammatory changes are most often confined to the left side and distal parts of the large intestine, however, any part of the colon can be affected. Inflammatory changes can expand over time and affect larger areas of the colon. *Disease variable in severity from patient to patient and time to time. This makes long-term prognosis very difficult, since a specific patient may remain in clinical remission for years between exacerbations. *Significant risk of carcinoma after 10 years, due to degenerative processes in the mucous lining of the colon (primarily pseudopolyposis), which may in some cases require frequent surveillance biopsies or even prophylactic bowel removal. *Patients may have other auto-immune features and extra-bowel complications including but not limited to iritis, uveitis, episcleritis, migratory polyarthritis, sacroiliitis, erythema nodosum, fingertip clubbing, and ankylosing spondylitis. *Fistula formation is rare but does occur. However, unlike Crohn's disease, the probability of recurrence is low. *Often found in former tobacco smoking. Stopping smoking can cause a reduction in the protective mucus lining the colon. When this protective mucus is reduced, the bacteria in the colon can attack the colon lining causing the immune system to become active and fight the bacteria. For unknown reasons, this causes damage to the lining (ulcers) of the colon walls in one or more places. Resumption of nicotine either through patches or smoking can extend remission time although ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

The Culinary Couple's Creative Colitis Cookbook - 100 low fiber, non-dairy recipes for those on restricted diets because of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Emuphoria Pure Emu Oil - Products which aid in relieving arthritic pain, scarring, Chrons disease and ulcerative colitis, skin disorders and contain natural anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids. Located in Rustenburg, South Africa. Prices listed in rand.

Sushruta Ayurvedic Therapy Center - Ayurveda based treatment for ulcerative colitis. Includes ailment symptoms, product formula, and testimonials.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals - Manufactures pharmaceuticals within urology, gynaecology, gastroenterology and endocrinology for treatment of bedwetting, pre-term labour, infertility, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and growth disorders.

About Digestion and Crohn's Disease - Doctor-produced, peer-reviewed articles about Crohn's, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and related conditions.

BCIRostomy.com - An appliance-free continent ileostomy for those with unresponsive bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, FAP or unsatisfactory Brooke ileostomies, malfunctioning Kock pouches and failed J-pouches.

Buzzlady - A patient who experienced ulcerative colitis, going from a permanent ileostomy to a BCIR (appliance free).

Candy's Home Page - In February 1998, after treatment in hospital, she had an ileostomy due to ulcerative colitis.

Rolf Benirschke: Winner of Convatec's "Great Comeback Award" - Rolf Benirschke was the placekicker for the San Diego Chargers for 10 years and set 16 team records before retiring as the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history. But what makes Rolf's career so remarkable is that he played while battling Ulcerative Colitis and after undergoing ileostomy surgery midway through his third season.

SCD Web Library - Diet that eliminates specific carbohydrates which are trouble makers in people suffering from Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis on Wikipedia

Features

External Resources

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