Early Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can be treated but has no cure. This disease, which occurs in the bowel, makes the digestive region of the body become inflamed.
Ulcerative colitis lies in the deep linings of the colon, also known as the large intestine. A patient with ulcerative colitis is at high risk of developing colon cancer.
Less than 200 thousand American cases of ulcerative colitis occur each year, here are some common symptoms:
1. Diarrhea and constipation
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from individual to individual. However, since this disease impacts the rectum and large intestines, bowel difficulties such as diarrhea and bloody stools are major symptoms. The harshness of diarrhea and bloody stools relies on the level of inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine. The various forms of stools which occur with the disease are diarrhea, bright red or bloody pink stools, or dark tarry stools. The need for bowel movements may be urgent sometimes, while other times, the patient may have constipation. The constipation symptom is less common and occurs when the inflammation problem is only in the rectum. Halting inflammation is crucial to regulating bloody stools, and Physicians can prescribe antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs. Physicians will recommend Biologic therapy if UC symptoms persist. That procedure restrains a portion of the immune system.
2. Abdominal pain and cramping
Abdominal pain can be mild or severe in UC patients. Initially, physicians will prescribe pain relievers for mild pain. The painkillers include acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. Do not take ibuprofen or any pain medicine other than acetaminophen as they can exacerbate the symptoms. They can boost the harshness of the disease. Other times doctors will recommend antispasmodic therapies to assist with relieving the cramps.
3. Rectal pain or bleeding
Rectal pain and bleeding is a crucial symptom of left-sided ulcerative colitis. Injury and discomfort to the rectum can result in you feeling a continuous urge to have a bowel activity. However, when you visit the restroom, the portion of the stool is usually tiny. Additional warnings of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain or rectal pain, for which acetaminophen can help.
In harsh circumstances, surgery may be the best path to terminate UC and the pain it causes. The surgery that most physicians recommend is known as proctocolectomy. This procedure involves the subtraction of the entire large intestine and rectum. The physician creates a pouch during the process, which they attach to the anus. The bag is made from a section of the intestine. The pouch will help the patient to have a somewhat regular bowel movement. If this isn’t possible, the doctor will make a small incision in the stomach to attach an outer bag.
4. Weight loss
All the Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can lead to weight loss. Most patients are afraid to eat due to constant diarrhea, losing their appetite, and not digesting calories from their food. The reduced eating and diarrhea cause them to lose weight. Weight loss is the most challenging issue to address with UC, as the other symptoms have to be addressed first. Once the colon linings are no longer inflammatory, diarrhea and other symptoms also dissipate. The patient can then begin to eat again comfortably. While there is no specific diet for UC, patients are encouraged to eat food rich in nutrients and not contribute to inflammation.