Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms & Treatment

It is difficult to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis because it presents in a variety of ways. We don't know what causes ulcerative colitis, but it is thought to be an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the gut wall, as it perceives thebacteria living there as threats that need to be eliminated.

The symptoms range from mild to severe. We will discuss possible causes of the disease, as well as symptoms, diagnosis and possible tools for the management of symptoms. We will look at how diet can affect symptoms of ulcerative colitis and whether people with the condition should avoid certain foods. Live Science spoke to medical experts to find out how to manage the condition.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Irritable bowel disease, also known as Ulcerative Colitis, can cause irritation and inflammation in the GI tract. The Mayo Clinic says there are several types of the disease.

• Ulcerative proctitis: This type of colitis is confined to the area closest to the rectum. Rectal bleeding may be the only sign of the disease. 
• Proctosigmoiditis: Inflammation spreads from the rectum and the lower end of the colon (sigmoid colon). Symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloody diarrhea, and an inability to empty the bowels although you have the urge to do so (tenesmus). 
• Left-sided colitis: Inflammation spreads from the rectum up through both the sigmoid and descending colon. Symptoms are the same as proctosigmoiditis with pain further up the left side. 
• Pancolitis: This usually involves the entire colon. Bloody diarrhea will be severe, there is also likely to be abdominal cramping, fatigue, and significant weight loss with this type. 

Inflammation of the colon and rectum is a condition called oblique colitis. Our stools are stored at the end of the rectum in the colon. Small ulcers on the colon can be very painful and can cause a number of symptoms.

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A hole in the bowel lining can cause it to leak into the abdominal area. It's important to get a correct diagnosis and support for this condition because it can be life threatening. According to the journal of Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, it could increase your risk of colon cancer.

According to Dr Deborah Lee, of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, it starts in the rectum and spreads into the colon. The cells in the bowel wall are thin and friable. Bleeding develops with superficial erosions.

Ulcerative colitis: Causes and symptoms

It can be hard to diagnose ulcerative colitis, which is similar to other diseases. The cause of the disease is not known but the symptoms are consistent.

He says that symptoms can include frequent vomiting and abdominal pain. Lack of appetite and weight loss are related. The immune system mistakes harmlessbacteria in the colon as a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon, causing the area to become inflammatory and develop blisters. There is a suggestion of genetics and environmental factors that affect some people and not others.

There are some common symptoms.

• Bloody diarrhea  
• Mucus or pus in stool 
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Skin or eye irritation
• Arthritis
• Mouth ulcers

Patients between the ages of 10 and 20 are most likely to be diagnosed with the disease. In the 50s and 60s there is a peak in diagnoses. Over time, ulcerative colitis gets worse. There is no known cause of the disease. A person who has an affected family member is more likely to have a genetic abnormality. You are more likely to develop UC if you have a first-degree relative with the disease. Black and Jewish people have the highest prevalence of the disease. It is less common among Asians. ThePrevalence is the same in males and females

Ulcerative colitis: Diagnosis

According to a review in the journal of Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, an endoscopy is the best course of treatment for the disease.

There is always a reason to go to the doctor. It is best to book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible if you notice blood in the stools or frequent periods of vomiting. They will usually suggest a blood test and take a stool sample to figure out what is going on.

Dr Lee tells us that there are other tests that need to be done.

• A plain abdominal X-ray or abdominal CT scan to get a detailed picture of your colon and rectum.
• A sigmoidoscopy: this is a telescope passed up inside the back passage to directly visualize the bowel wall and enable biopsies (small pieces of tissue) to be taken.
• A colonoscopy: again, this is a test in which a thin tube containing a camera is passed right around the colon. A bowel prep is needed to empty the bowel in advanced, and the process is conducted under light sedation.

Ulcerative colitis: Treatment

Although more research is needed, a review found that diet can be an effective tool in the management of ulcerative colitis. A 2016 study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology tested colitis patients during a disease flare-up and found that a majority of them found the advice they received to be helpful.

Depending on the type of ulcerative colitis you have, you may be offered different treatment options. Most GP's will recommend medicine based on severity. For others, such is the severity that they may have to be admitted to hospital for treatment. High fiber foods can cause flare-ups and make the condition worse if you follow a healthy eating diet.

Certain vegetables and nuts have been seen to be more problematic. It is not a good idea to cut out all of these groups. If you want to see if cutting out certain foods will make a difference, try to keep a food diary and see when flare-ups are happening.

More structured clinical studies are needed to confirm the findings of a review in the journal of Current Clinical Pharmacology.

• Related: Prebiotics vs probiotics: differences, benefits and foods 

People with ulcerative colitis may need to change their diet to manage their symptoms. According to Dr Lee, these may include.

• Eating 4-6 small meals a day.
• Keeping yourself properly hydrated. You can tell if you are well hydrated if your urine is pale yellow to clear. You can drink water or anything that helps improve your fluid balance such as soup, or fruit juice. 
• Sipping slowly and often, using a straw if needed. Don’t gulp as this tends to result in swallowed air. 
• Planning your meals and sticking to foods you like to eat.
• Cooking simply: steam, boil or poach, rather than going for fried or roasted food. 
• Keeping a food diary so you can see what you were eating if symptoms are good, or bad, and make sensible alterations.  

If you have a flare-up, you may be told to go on an elimination diet. She says this is done with medical supervision The goal is to identify any foods that could cause your symptoms to get worse. Sugary foods such as cakes and pastries, high-fat foods, alcohol and spicy foods are some of the Trigger Foods.

The article is not meant to give medical advice.

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