Ulcerative Colitis - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Ulcerative Colitis or ulcerative colitisis inflammation of the large intestine (colon) and the end of the large intestine that connects to the anus (rectum).This condition is often characterized by persistent diarrhea, accompanied by blood or pus in the stool.

Ulcerative colitis usually begins as a sore in the rectum and then spreads upward. This wound in the large intestine causes the sufferer to defecate more often and the stools that come out are accompanied by blood or pus.

Ulcerative colitis symptoms will come and go throughout the sufferer's life. However, proper treatment can help relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from recurring. Ulcerative colitis is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, apart from Crohn's disease.

SymptomUlcerative Colitis

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be different for each patient, depending on the severity. Some of the symptoms that often appear in this disease are:

  • Diarrhea with blood or pus.
  • Abdominal pain or cramps.
  • Frequent urge to defecate, but difficult stools
  • The body gets tired easily.
  • Anal pain.
  • Weight loss.
  • Fever.

Sometimes the above symptoms can be felt lighter or even not appear at all for several weeks or months. This condition is called a period of remission.

A period of remission may then be followed by a reappearance of symptoms, which is known as a relapse period. In addition to the above symptoms, relapsing ulcerative colitis sufferers may also experience other symptoms, such as:

  • Ulcer
  • Red eye
  • Pain and swelling in the joints

In severe cases, sufferers can experience heart palpitations to shortness of breath.

When to go to the doctor

Check yourself if there is a bowel movement that is accompanied by blood or pus. Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can last for a long time. If you suffer from this disease, check with your doctor regularly to monitor the progress of the disease and evaluate treatment.

This disease also has the potential to cause serious complications that can be life-threatening. Immediately consult a doctor if you have a fever for more than two days, abdominal pain, diarrhea more than six times, anemia, palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Keep in mind, 5-8% of people with ulcerative colitis get colon cancer or colorectal cancer. Therefore, do colon cancer screening every 1-2 years as a prevention.

Colon cancer screening should be performed 6-10 years after the appearance of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Early screening is also recommended if you have a family member with colon cancer.

Causes of Ulcerative Colitis

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is not known. However, the disease is thought to be triggered by an immune system response that mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the digestive tract. This condition causes inflammation and sores on the inner wall of the large intestine.

Ulcerative colitis is also believed to be triggered by environmental factors, such as a viral infection or stress. It could also be due to the use of birth control pills, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or antibiotics.

Ulcerative Colitis Risk Factors

Ulcerative colitis can happen to anyone, but people with the following conditions are more at risk:

  • Under 30 years of age. Even so, some people only develop ulcerative colitis after the age of 60 years.
  • Have a family history of ulcerative colitis, including parents, siblings, or cousins.

Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

At the initial stage of the examination, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms, as well as the patient's and family's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to confirm the patient's condition.

To determine ulcerative colitis, the doctor will also perform several supporting examinations, which include:

  • Stool sample examination

    The patient is suspected of having ulcerative colitis when the white blood cell count in the stool exceeds the normal value. Through a stool examination, the doctor can also determine causes other than ulcerative colitis.

  • Colonoscopy

    Colonoscopy is used to view the inside of the large intestine. If necessary, the gastroenterologist will take a tissue sample from the large intestine for examination in the laboratory.

Doctors can also perform some of the following examinations to see possible complications in the patient:

  • Blood tests, to check for anemia.
  • X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to see the overall condition of the abdominal cavity.

Treatment and Prevention Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis treatment aims to relieve and prevent recurrence of symptoms. The method of treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and how often the symptoms recur, namely:

Changing diet

Some foods and drinks can worsen the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, especially when it recurs after a period of remission. To relieve the symptoms, you can limit and avoid the following types of foods:

  • Milk and its processed products.
  • Spicy food.
  • High-fiber foods, such as fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
  • Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.

It is recommended to eat several times a day in small portions, rather than eating only 1-2 times a day but in large portions. In addition, it is recommended to drink lots of water every day.

Reduce stress

While it doesn't directly cause ulcerative colitis, stress can make the symptoms worse. Therefore, manage stress well by doing light exercise or doing breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

Taking drugs

Doctors can prescribe medications to treat ulcerative colitis. The type depends on the severity of the symptoms. Commonly administered drugs include:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as sulfasalazine and corticosteroids.
  • Immunosuppressant drugs, such as azathioprine and ciclosporin.
  • Paracetamol pain reliever. Do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because they can make ulcerative colitis symptoms worse.
  • Antidiarrheals, such as loperamide.
  • Antibiotics.

Undergo surgery

Surgery is a last resort if other treatment methods are not able to relieve severe symptoms. The goal of surgery is to remove part or all of the colon permanently.

When the large intestine is removed completely, the small intestine will be connected directly to the anus. If this is not possible, the surgeon will make a permanent opening in the abdomen (stoma) to pass stool into a small bag outside the body. This procedure is called a colostomy.

Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

If not treated quickly, ulcerative colitis can trigger a variety of other dangerous conditions. Some of the complications that may occur include:

  • Blockage of blood vessels.
  • Toxic megacolon or large bowel enlargement.
  • The large intestine is torn.
  • Inflammation of the eyes, skin and joints.
  • Bone loss or osteoporosis.
  • Liver disease.
  • Heavy bleeding.
  • Severe dehydration.
  • Increased risk of colorectal cancer.

So that colon cancer can be detected early, people with ulcerative colitis are advised to have colon cancer screening every 1-2 years.