Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes a lot of discomfort and has no cure, but can be controlled through a good diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole products.
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by the presence of several ulcers in the intestinal wall, which are sores that can appear along the course of the intestines, in isolated parts or in the final part of the intestine.
What symptoms
The most common symptoms that can occur in people with ulcerative colitis are:
- Abdominal pain; Stools with mucus or blood; Fever; Urgency to defecate; Tiredness; Pain and bleeding in the rectum; Abdominal sounds; Weight loss; Diarrhea.
Other symptoms related to ulcerative colitis are pain in the joints, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, lumps or other skin lesions. Ulcerative colitis can also delay the child's development.
Possible causes
The causes of colitis have not yet been fully clarified, and it is believed to have something to do with the immune system, which can attack intestinal cells.
The people most likely to suffer from ulcerative colitis are aged between 15 and 30 and over 50.
What is the diagnosis
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis can be made through tests such as:
- Blood tests, to see if the person has anemia or any infection; Analysis of stool samples, to analyze the presence of white blood cells, which may indicate ulcerative colitis; X-ray, which allows the detection of a colon perforation; Opaque enema, which allows to measure colon inflammation; Colonoscopy, which allows the doctor to analyze the colon and collect tissue samples for biopsy; CT scan of the abdomen, which allows to identify the extent of colon inflammation.
The correct diagnosis is a very important step to proceed with an appropriate treatment.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for ulcerative colitis can be carried out by taking medications such as sulfasalazine, mesalazine and corticosteroids that help reduce inflammation, immunosuppressants, which also help to reduce inflammation and attack of the immune system.
In addition, medicines to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide, for example, dietary supplements with iron, pain relievers such as paracetamol, may also be used, and sometimes it may be necessary to perform surgery to remove part of the intestine.
Controlling diet by increasing the consumption of fiber-rich foods at every meal appears to be an important part of treatment for ulcerative colitis.
