Ulcerative Colitis is a medical disorder that affects the large intestines, sometimes referred to as the colon. The intestinal lining becomes inflamed while developing tiny ulcers or open sores that produce a kind of mucus. The result is a chronic pain or discomfort in the abdominal region and perhaps an increased frequency of emptying the bowels.
A depressed immunity system is often to blame for the onset of Ulcerative Colitis. When the immunity system is working properly, the related proteins protect us from these types of intestinal infections. In patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis, the body’s immunity system misidentifies the normal foods and bacteria in our systems as invading, foreign substances. As a result, an increase of white blood cells is released which causes the excessive inflammation and irritation.
The Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
For more than half of those diagnosed with this medical condition, the symptoms are relatively mild. Consult your physician should any of the following signs or symptoms occur:
- Consistent and regular abdominal cramping or pain
- Bloody stool
- Chronic or persistent diarrhea accompanied by the other related symptoms
- Irregular bowel movements of consistency or regularity
It is also not uncommon for patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis to experience a loss of appetite or a fluctuation in body weight. Because of the tendency towards a decreased appetite, we eat less and often begin to feel overly fatigued. For children suffering from this disorder, delayed growth and body development may also result.
The signs and symptoms may also come and go with long periods between outbreaks. So there may be times in which the patient experiences no pain or discomfort at all. These periods of remission can last for several months or even years, but the symptoms almost inevitably return. This sporadic timetable makes a professional diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis very difficult to determine at times. For more information on this intestinal disorder, contact our offices or your primary care physician.