Ulcerative Colitis

1
Ulcerative Colitis

• By Kelly Moriarty

2
What is Ulcerative Colitis ?

• Disease that causes inflammation and sores,
  called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of
  the large intestine.
• Inflammation occurs in the rectum and lower part
  of colon. It can effect the entire colon.
• Causes colon to empty frequently.
• Ulcers form and begin to bleed and produce pus.
• Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel
  (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause
  inflammation in the intestines.
• Difficult to diagnose. Symptoms similar to other
  intestinal disorders. Examples- IBD and Crohns
  disease. Crohns occurs deeper in intestinal
  wall.
• U.C. occurs often in people ages 15-40, but
  children and older people are at risk. Affects
  men and women equally. Appears to run in family.

3
What Causes U.C. ?

• There are many theories of possible causes, but
  nothing has been proven.
• Most popular theory is the body reacts to a virus
  or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in
  the intestinal wall.

4
What Are Some Symptoms of U.C. ?

• Most common symptoms are abdominal pain and
  bloody diarrhea.
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rectal bleeding
• Loss of body fluids and nutrients.

5
How Is U.C. Diagnosed ?

• A thorough physical exam and a series of tests
  may be required to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis.
• Blood tests. To check for anemia, which indicates
  bleeding in colon. Also shows high white blood
  cell count indicates inflammation in the body.
• Stool sample
• Colonoscopy. Doctor inserts a long flexible tube
  with camera at the end into anus to view the
  rectum and colon. During exam doctor may do a
  biopsy( taking a sample tissue from the lining of
  the colon.)
• Barium enema x-ray. Filling the colon with a
  chalky white substance, allowing the doctor to
  see entire colon.

6
What Is The Treatment For U.C. ?

• Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis depends on the
  seriousness of the disease.
• Medication
• Surgery. Involves removing entire colon and
  sewing up the rectum.

7
Surgery

• 25 to 40 of patients must have colons removed
  because massive bleeding, severe illness, rupture
  of colon, or risk of cancer.

8
Is Colon Cancer A Risk ?

• 5 of patients develop colon cancer.
• Risk increases with duration and extent of colon
  involvement.
• For example, If only the lower colon and rectum
  are involved the risk is not higher than normal.
  If entire colon is involved, risk may be 32 times
  the normal rate.
• Sometimes pre- cancerous changes occur in the
  cells lining the colon.( Dysplasia).
• People with Dysplasia are more likely to develop
  cancer than those who do not.
• Doctors look for signs of dysplasia during a
  colonoscopy, and when examining tissue removed
  during the test.