WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
WHO IS AFFECTED BY ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
ARE THERE OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS?
HOW IS ULCERATIVE COLITIS DIAGNOSED?
What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
You are likely to have abdominal pain, rectal urgency and frequent loose bowel movements that are often mixed with blood and perhaps some mucus. More severe ulcerative colitis may include an increased body temperature, weight loss and nausea. Some extra-intestinal symptoms may also occur such as reddening of the eyes, joint pain, skin lesions, irritability and depression.
Who is affected by Ulcerative Colitis?
The illness affects both men and women and can occur at any age, but often begins before the age of 30
- It occurs most frequently amongst North-and Western European and North American people.
- Ulcerative colitis is a relatively rare disease. It affects about 1 person in 650.
What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis?
- No one knows the cause of ulcerative colitis, but research has identified some contributing factors.
- The disease may be caused by interaction between environmental (smoking, oral contraception, geography, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, infections) and genetic factors resulting in upregulation of the immune system of the gut.
- Stressful, emotional events are occasionally linked with the onset of the disease or recurrence of symptoms.
Are there other problems associated with Ulcerative Colitis?
People with ulcerative colitis are more likely to suffer from arthritis and backache. Some people develop inflammation of the skin which can present either as tender red lumps below the knees (erythema nodosum) or more rarely ulcers (pyoderma). The skin problems as well as 'itchy inflamed eyes' tend to occur when an attack of the basic illness occurs. Patients are at an increased risk for bile duct inflammation (primary sclerosing cholangitis) and bone loss (osteoporosis). There is an increased risk of colon cancer in people with long-standing ulcerative colitis. However, the risk to develop colon cancer appears to be considerably smaller in patients who receive regular treatment with mesalazine. Regular follow-ups involving colonoscopy can detect and treat early symptoms before serious complications arise.
How is Ulcerative Colitis diagnosed?
The specialist will first exclude disorders that may mimic the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. He makes a full physical examination as well as blood and stool tests. If the gastroenterologist thinks that you have ulcerative colitis, he will examine your large bowel with a thin, flexible, illuminated instrument called an endoscope. This projects a detailed image of the colon wall on a computer screen. This examination is called colonoscopy. Through the endoscope small tissue samples may be taken for microscopic examination of the inflamed tissue. This supports reliable diagnosis of IBD, especially early on in the disease.
The bowel can also be examined by x-ray. This examination shows details of the extent and severity of the inflammation. |
