Ulcerative Colitis 101

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine/colon that causes symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping and weight loss. At its worst, this condition can lead to perforations in the bowel walls and increased metastatic colon cancer risk. Most people receive a diagnosis of colitis in their mid-thirties, although men often receive their diagnosis in their fifties and sixties. As many as one million Americans have either Crohn's disease or UC, which affects men and women equally, yet a disproportionate amount of whites and Jews.

Loose and bloody stools are what send most patients running to the doctor's office with UC. They may find themselves running to the restroom suddenly and doubling over with cramps and uncomfortable abdominal pain. As the inflammation worsens, patients report fatigue and unexplained weight loss. About half of all sufferers exhibit only mild symptoms. However, if left untreated, more serious complications arise, such as anemia, skin lesions, joint pain, liver disorders, improper development, colon wall holes and cancerous colon polyps. Often sufferers have periods of remission and recurrence, which makes the inflammation sometimes difficult to treat.

While little is known about the direct cause of ulcerative colitis, researchers have identified certain risk factors. Age is one factor, since most people are diagnosed in their mid-thirties, although some men develop it in their fifties and sixties. Ethnicity is another factor, with a disproportionate amount of whites and Jews coming down with the disease. Family history plays a role if parents, siblings or children have had the disease. People living in industrialized countries and Northern climates have higher incidences of colon inflammation. Inflamed bile ducts, called "primary sclerosing cholangitis" causes inflammation of the liver and colon in some cases. Patients using accutane (used in many acne treatments) may be linked with this type of inflammation. Also, patients who eat diets high in refined foods or fat are also more likely to develop this cancer alternative disease.

As a first line of defense against ulcerative colitis, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, cortocosteroids or immune system suppressors. On many people, nicotine patches provide short-term relief for flare-ups. Patients often try anti-diarrhea medications, fiber supplements, laxatives, pain relievers and iron supplements to manage their symptoms. To manage something like lymphocytic colitis or collagenous colitis, individuals should limit dairy, increase fiber, avoid gassy foods, avoid caffeine, eat smaller meals, drink lots of liquids and take a multivitamin.

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