What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that effects the
mucous membrane (inner lining) of the large bowel.
When only the rectum is involved it is called proctitis. Ulcerative
colitis looks like large ulcers, that bleed, produce pus and mucus and
cause the bowel to empty frequently (diarrhoea)
|
|
|
What causes Ulcerative Colitis?
There are numerous theories as to the cause of ulcerative colitis but
the cause remains largely unknown.
The most popular theory is that a virus or bacteria interferes with the
bodies immune system and causes inflammation in the bowel wall. There is
less proof that emotional stress or sensitivity to foods causes
ulcerative colitis.
What are the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
-
Bloody diarrhoea
-
Abdominal pain
-
Fatigue
-
Weight loss
-
Loss of appetite
-
Loss of body fluids and nutrients
-
Arthritis
-
Inflammation of the eye
-
Skin rashes
-
Anaemia
-
Liver disease
If the symptoms are
suggestive of ulcerative colitis, your doctor will look inside your
bowel with a colonoscope.
This examination is called a colonoscopy. During this procedure
the doctor may take a biopsy from the lining of your bowel to view under
the microscope. You may also undergo a barium enema, which is an
x-ray that detects abnormalities in the bowel.
How is ulcerative colitis treated?
The treatment of ulcerative colitis depends on the severity of the
disease.
Most people are treated with medication and in severe cases surgery is
required to remove the diseased bowel.
Medications
-
Cortico-steroids reduce the inflammation in severe cases
-
5-Amino Salicylic Acid compounds (5-ASA) aim to reduce the frequency of acute flare ups.
If medical treatment fails it may be necessary to
remove the entire large bowel.
There are a number of surgical options to deal with ulcerative colitis
these include:
-
Proctocolectomy and ileostomy- this includes removal of the whole large bowel including the rectum and fashioning an ileostomy.
-
Ileo-anal pouch- this involves removal of the entire large bowel, fashioning a pouch from the small bowel and attaching this to the anal canal. The pouch acts as a reservoir for the faeces.
Useful Contacts and Further Information
Concord Hospital has an internationally recognised Colorectal Unit and can be contacted on 97678360
Contact your General Practitioner
Or visit the following web sites
www.acca.net.au/
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/
Crohn's_and_colitis_cause_bowel_inflammation?OpenDocument
 |