Ulcerative colitis - a chronic disease of the rectum and colon, which is like the symptoms of Crohn's disease, why they are often confused. However, sometimes it is enough to ask about the nature of pain and the frequency of their occurrence in order to determine exactly what disease the patient suffers. Those who have Crohn's disease, the anal area more painful than in ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis - a disease of inflammatory nature. Intestine - a whole system, which are responsible not only for digestive function, but also for the human immunity. In healthy people, the immune system is running smoothly, and the intestines working well - the stool is normal, no diarrhea or constipation. Upon detection of ulcerative colitis that can not be said - inflamed colon, health problems of the whole organism.

Ulcerative colitis identify at an early stage is not always easy. The intensity and location of pain depends on the site of inflammation. The main symptoms: diarrhea with blood, pain in the anus, loss of appetite, weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, insomnia.

Doctors are separated by type of ulcerative colitis, respectively the site of inflammation, each of them has its own symptoms.

• Ulcerative proctitis is called the most mild colitis. The inflammation is localized in the rectum. The disease is accompanied by bleeding, severe pain but may not be.
• Proctosigmoiditis affects the colon and rectum. In this form, more serious, there is diarrhea with bloody discharge and abdominal pain.
• Left-sided colitis, as the name implies inflammation affects the rectum, moving to the left side of the colon. Symptoms are the same - bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, mostly on the left side.
• Pancole is called common colitis. When Pancole colon is affected along its entire length. In this form of colitis symptoms in the previous forms of added weight loss, severe fatigue, fever.
• Acute colitis is accompanied by strong and rapid dehydration, which is dangerous to health. In addition, a person loses blood, along with loose stools and abdominal pain can be very severe.

Man sick colitis can sometimes feel the relief that should not suggest samovyzdorovlenii because without treatment soon come relapse. If a form of colitis easier, it is very often the symptoms are the same, not intensifying and spreading further. However, this does not mean that the disease is treated.

As for the causes of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, the doctors all over the world still can not give a clear unambiguous answer to this question. Most likely, and there is some evidence that this form of colitis - is a reaction of the immune system to introduce bacteria, which gives reason to call ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease.

Some factors that increase the possibility of the disease ulcerative colitis:

• Ethnicity. It is believed that a person of Caucasian and Jewish nationality in general suffer from ulcerative colitis are more likely than others.
• Heredity also plays a role, because, as noted, the disease tends to be a family.
• Gender is also not without significance. Doctors say that in the last 50 years the incidence of ulcerative colitis in men is much higher than that of women.
• Age does not play a special role, because according to statistics people who have had the disease, were both in their teens, and in a fairly mature.

To diagnose ulcerative colitis is necessary to go through the following procedure: blood, fecal, barium enema, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

In the treatment of ulcerative colitis, the main role is given anti-inflammatory drugs, with which you can significantly reduce symptoms. If accurately diagnose ulcerative colitis, the patient is sent to a gastroenterologist, who will appoint further treatment. In severe forms of the disease are often shown in-patient treatment.

At the stage of treatment, the doctors clearly share two goals: to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, eliminate inflammation, achieving remission and prolong the period of remission, preventing relapse.

In order to cure ulcerative colitis are used:

• Aminosalicylates. They help to reduce pain and inflammation and reduce the symptoms of colitis. These drugs are usually administered in pill form, but sometimes it is necessary to apply creams which are applied directly to the wall of the rectum.
• Steroids. They are necessary in the case when a more serious form of colitis. Steroids are a much stronger effect than soft aminosalicylates, but there is a risk of side effects.
• Immunosuppressants. These drugs are administered for enhancing immune defense, particularly when using steroids and their adverse effect.

In remission patient appoint aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants complemented and closely monitor the process of recovery. If ulcerative colitis is a very serious and recovery has been slow, we recommend lifelong closely monitor their health, take drugs, and immediately respond to any possible manifestation of relapse.

In most cases, surgery for ulcerative colitis is not required, but there are cases when a doctor may recommend surgery. The operation is needed when the colitis is accompanied by profuse bleeding or extensive inflammation that is difficult to suppress the drugs.

In milder cases, when segmental lesions, the affected portion is excised colitis. If excessive bleeding removes all the colon - it is the most common operation that is recommended in the case of the risk of cancer.

Recent advances in medicine have allowed a man with severe ulcerative colitis are not permanently deprived of the colon, instead placing a special tank, which will take over its function. It does not interferes with the normal functioning of the organism.

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