Ulcerative Colitis
- Posted on: Mar 15 2018
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects the colon and rectum. It causes irritation and inflammation and eventually leads to ulcers developing in the lining of the colon. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, but it is different from other bowel diseases such as Crohn’s or irritable bowel syndrome.
At Ogden Clinic GI at McKay, we have various treatment options for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.
What causes ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis occurs when your immune system perceives food, good gut bacteria, and the cells that line your colon are unwelcome invaders. It sends white blood cells to the area, and they begin attacking the lining of the colon. This causes inflammation and ulceration.
People who develop ulcerative colitis are usually between 15 and 30, or over the age of 50. It is an autoimmune disease whose cause is still unknown. There does seem to be a genetic tendency, however. It’s also thought that stress and certain environmental factors aggravate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but they aren’t the cause.
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
People usually experience this disease differently. Some patients have a gradual increase in mild symptoms. Others have sudden flare-ups that can be severe.
These are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Anemia
- Rectal pain
- Rectal bleeding
Treating ulcerative colitis
At Ogden Clinic GI at McKay, we use a variety of treatments for ulcerative colitis, depending on the individual patient’s situation.
- Drug therapy to induce and maintain remission
- Hospitalization to treat severe symptoms
- Surgery to remove the colon and rectum
- Adjustments to diet
- Stress management
Do you have the symptoms of ulcerative colitis? Call us at Ogden Clinic GI at McKay, 801.475.3680. We can help.
Posted in: Ulcerative Colitis
