Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can affect people of any age. It is characterized by causing inflammation and sores in the lining of the large intestine.
It generally affects the lower section and the rectum, although it can affect the entire colon. Symptoms are usually worse the more affected the colon is. It can lead to other health problems, such as joint pain, eye problems, or liver disease.
Most people with ulcerative colitis are diagnosed before the age of 30, and the cause is still under investigation. It is believed that could be caused by an overreaction of the immune system to normal bacteria in the digestive tract. It may also be caused by other types of bacteria and viruses.
People with family history of ulcerative colitis They are more likely to develop this disease, the main symptoms of which are pain or cramps in the belly, diarrhea (up to 20 times a day in severe cases) and bleeding from the rectum. Sometimes it can cause fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Usually it is a disease that works with sprouts. Symptoms come and go. It can take months or years in remission to have a new outbreak. It should be noted that between 5 and 10 out of 100 patients have symptoms all the time.
Given that does not affect everyone equallyWhen treating it, it is about finding the best way to reduce the symptoms and avoid new outbreaks in each case. If symptoms are mild, over-the-counter diarrhea medications are often used.
Some people find that certain foods make your symptoms worse. When this happens, it is best to remove them from the diet. However, make sure you eat a healthy diet to maintain weight and strength.
Treatments may also include medications that reduce the body's immune responseas these can reduce and even stop the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.