Ulcerative colitis is a chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the gastrointestinal tract. occurs when the lining of your large intestine (colon), rectum, or both become inflamed. The inflammation usually starts in the rectum and spreads continuously into the colon. It can involve your entire colon producing tiny sores called ulcers on the lining of your colon. The ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus.

Symptoms may vary depending on the area of inflammation, and can range from mild to severe. In some cases, there may be no symptoms. Lifestyle modifications and dietary management can help in managing symptoms. but surgery is an option in severe cases

While ulcerative colitis affects people of all ages, most people develop it between ages 15 and 30 years old. After 50 years old there is another small increase in diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, usually in men.

You should know that there are various types of ulcerative colitis depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract that it affects.

• Ulcerative proctitis: inflammation affects the area closest to the anus. Rectal bleeding is the major sign of this type.
• Pancolitis or Extensive colitis:inflammation affects the entire colon and causes bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fatigue.
• Fulminant colitis: this is a rare type of colitis that affects the whole colon.
• Left-sided colitis: this type extends from the left side of the sigmoid to the rectum. causing bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain in the left side.

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary among individuals, some may experience mild symptoms, while others may have severe and debilitating symptoms.

Additionally, ulcerative colitis often follows a pattern of flare-ups and remissions, with periods of symptom exacerbation followed by periods of reduced or absent symptoms.

The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

• Diarrhea often with blood
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rectal bleeding
• Urgency to defecate
• Elevated temperature
• Failure to grow, especially in children
• Anemia
• Dehydration
• Fatigue

If you feel these symptoms or symptoms related to your digestive health, it's necessary to seek medical attention. A healthcare professional can perform diagnosis, which may include physical examinations, blood tests, stool tests, imaging studies, and a colonoscopy to make a definitive diagnosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help improve health and quality of life for individuals with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatments

The treatment of ulcerative colitis aims to reduce inflammation, control symptoms, and maintain remission. The choice of the suitable treatment depends on the severity of the case, the degree of inflammation, and other patient factors.

You should see a doctor if you have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, if you feel symptoms such as:

• dehydration
• high fever
• swelling of skin areas and joints
• rectal bleeding
• abdominal pain or cramping
• chronic diarrhea

The common treatments for ulcerative colitis:

1.Medications:

There are many medications for ulcerative colitis depending on the severity of the symptoms, such as:

• Aminosalicylates
• Topical corticosteroids
• Immunomodulators
• Biologics
• Targeted synthetic small molecules

2.Lifestyle modifications and Dietary Changes:

• Avoiding stress may help reduce inflammation.
• Eating small, frequent meals per day.
• Drinking more fluids, especially water, to avoid dehydration.
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, both can increase diarrhea.
• Avoiding consumption of sodas, which can increase gas.
• Eat a lower fiber, lactose free, low fat, and low salt diet.

3.Nutritional Therapy:

In some cases, nutritional therapy such as exclusive enteral nutrition may be used, where the patient receives a liquid diet to provide necessary nutrients and allow the bowel to rest.

4.Symptomatic Relief:

Anti-diarrheal drugs may be recommended to help control diarrhea. and analgesics may be used to manage abdominal pain.

5.Hospitalization:

Some individuals need to receive hospital treatment involving intravenous fluids and medications, which can reduce the risk of malnutrition, dehydration, and complications such as colon rapture.

6.Surgery:

In case treatments don't provide relief or if there are life threatening complications, specialists may recommend surgery.

Surgical options for ulcerative colitis may include:

Colectomy:

In case of colectomy, the surgeon removes all the entire colon or part of it.

Ileostomy:

In this case the surgeon may create an incision in the stomach. connect the end of the small intestine into an external pouch, then collect the waste material of the intestine by the external pouch.

Ileoanal pouch:

This pouch isn't external. The surgeon connects it from the small intestine to the muscles surrounding the anus.

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Dietary changes can play a main role in reducing symptoms in individuals who suffer from ulcerative colitis, include:

• Drinking sufficient amounts of water during the day helps to stay well- hydrated, especially in case of diarrhea to prevent dehydration.

• Eating small, frequent meals per day, especially that contain a variety of nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and healthy fats.

• Avoiding high amounts of caffeine and alcohol, which may increase diarrhea.

• Be careful of foods that may worsen or increase the symptoms like spicy food, sodas, and artificial sweeteners.

• Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects that help to decrease inflammation and reduce symptoms.

• Eating a low fiber diet can help to decrease the amount of stools that person passes. such as:

• white bread
• white rice
• eggs
• lean meat and fish
• fruits like peeled apple and bananas

Ulcerative Colitis Medication

The severity of symptoms which determine the type of medication you will receive. It differs from mild symptoms to severe symptoms.

The common medications for ulcerative colitis:

Aminosalicylates (Anti-inflammatory drugs): help in inflammation control in the colon.

Topical corticosteroids: Fast acting anti-inflammatory drugs that help to reduce inflammation, used for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis flare-ups.

Immunomodulators: Medications that used to regulate the immune system.

Biologics: Drugs that target specific pathways in the immune system to reduce inflammation. that include Tumor necrosis factor antagonist (TNF), anti integrin agents, and interleukin 12/23 antagonists.

Targeted synthetic small molecules:Drugs that include Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK), can reduce inflammation.

Other Medications:

• Anti-Diarrheals.
• Pain Relievers.
• Antispasmodics: Alleviate cramps.
• Iron Supplements: Essential for chronic bleeding and anemia.