One of two irritable bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) is a highly-manageable condition that affects the inner cell layer of the colon and rectum. Unfortunately, patients that suffer from UC deal with non-stop inflammation in the bowel, leading to discomfort, stomach pains, rectal bleeding, and other symptoms. Furthermore, left untreated, UC can lead to severe complications like a bowel perforation. For this reason, it’s important to get a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan with your colorectal specialist.
Let’s take a closer look at the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis, how this disease is diagnosed and treated, and some triggers you can avoid if you suffer from UC.
Symptoms: What Does Ulcerative Colitis Feel Like?
Regular, bloody, or pus-containing diarrhea
Blood in regular stools
A sense of urgency to defecate, regardless of whether or not you are able to
Weight loss, fatigue, and malnutrition
Abdominal pain, rectal pain, and cramps
Failure to grow at a normal rate in children
Remission that lasts for long periods, only to have symptoms flare back up
Diagnosing UC
Here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay, we try to stress the importance of bowel health to all of our patients. If something is abnormal or extremely uncomfortable, there might be something going on that will require the services of a professional. It’s not always fun to take a trip to the colorectal specialist— we know that. However, since many bowel conditions and diseases can have serious consequences if left untreated, we encourage you to start a conversation with your doctor.
Ulcerative colitis is diagnosed in a few stages. First, your doctor or colorectal specialist will run some lab tests on blood and stool samples. This will help your doctor rule out complications like anemia and infection. If immune cells or specific proteins are found in your stool, this is a sign that you may be suffering from UC. If the blood and stool labs are enough indication, your doctor will likely order some type of endoscopic (using a scope) procedure— a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
If scoping procedures reveal that your condition is more severe than anticipated, your colorectal specialist may recommend that an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI be taken of your lower abdominal area. These imaging studies can reveal how extensive the damage and inflammation are, and help the doctor create a course of action for you.
Main Causes of Ulcerative Colitis
While the underlying cause of UC is unknown, we do know that it has an association with immune function. Another key factor in the development of ulcerative colitis is genetics— patients with a family history of UC are much more likely to develop the condition themselves. Usually, patients under 30 are more likely to go to their doctor with UC symptoms, but the disease can develop later in life. Interestingly, people of Ashkenazi descent and Caucasians seem to develop UC at an increased rate.
Some Foods That Trigger UC Symptoms
It used to be thought that diet was the main cause of ulcerative colitis, but we’ve since ruled that out. Certain foods can, however, aggravate and trigger patients’ symptoms. These foods and beverages include:
High fiber foods like whole-wheat products and other and whole grains
Nuts, seeds, and dried, cooked legumes
High fiber fruits like berries and most raw or dried fruit
High fiber vegetables, especially raw and crisp-tender veggies
Some patients also struggle with dairy and gluten
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in Tampa Bay
If you believe that you may be suffering from ulcerative colitis (or you have already been diagnosed but your treatment plan isn’t working), reach out to the colorectal specialists at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay. There are many ulcerative colitis treatment options that may suit your lifestyle. Our professional team can help you get your condition under control; you may even see remission!