A look at ulcerative colitis
I know that ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease but what else can you tell me about it?
There are two forms of inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition in which the mucosal and submucosal lining of the large intestine and rectum become inflamed and ulcerated. During flare-ups of the condition the sufferer may experience frequent and urgent episodes of diarrhoea with visible mucus and blood in the stools as well as fever and abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age but more usually starts at 15-30 years.
As my experience has shown, ulcerative colitis can really affect quality of life. Is there any cure or do sufferers just have to learn to live with it?
Although the actual cause of inflammatory bowel disease is as yet unknown, it is thought that it may result from an abnormal immune response to viral or bacterial infection. Treatment is a combination of practical measures and drug therapy and the regime will vary depending on symptoms experienced.
Rest during a flare-up may help decrease intestinal activity while changes to your diet can promote bowel healing and decrease symptoms. Avoiding foods, such as raw fruit and vegetables, that irritate the intestine and foods that require excessive intestinal activity such as milk products, spices or fried high-fat foods may also help.
And what about medication?
Medications, including anti-diarrhoeal drugs and anti-inflammatories, are used to reduce inflammation and prevent flare-ups. Corticosteroids taken in oral or rectal forms are also used to help control the condition.
Drugs to suppress the immune system have been found to be useful in maintaining remission in some. Some sufferers experience uncontrollable symptoms and may require surgery. It is vital to monitor your symptoms and report all changes to your doctor as ulcerative colitis sufferers have an increased risk of developing cancer over their lifetime.
Further information and support is available from the Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn's Disease which can be contacted at 01-8721416, or by logging on to iscc.ie