Ulcerative Colitis is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (group of inflammatory conditions of intestines), that causes chronic inflammation in part of your digestive tract (MayoClinic). It affects the lining on the large intestine, specifically the colon, & rectum. Ulcerative Colitis develops over time through continuous stretches of the colon. The conditions can be debilitating & may lead to life-threatening complications.
Both the digestive & immune system are affected. The digestive system is directly affect by an abnormal response of the body's immune system. Itmistakes food, bacteria, & other materials in the intestines for foreign or invading substances. Then the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestine.
Antigens in the environment can be the direct cause of inflammation.They may cause the body's defenses to produce an inflammation that continues without control. Once the defenses are stimulated, they don't know how to properly 'turn off'. Antigens are not always the cause for Ulcerative Colitis. Inherited genes may also be a factor. Ulcerative Colitis tends to run in families. 20% of people with Ulcerative Colitis will also have a close relative who suffers from it as well. As many as 700,000 Americans, both men & women are affected by it. It is more common among white people of European Origin, & amount people of Jewish heritage.
Reports of Ulcerative Colitis date back to 640 BC up to 170 AD. "Hippocrates described a condition with a type of chronic diarrhea with blood & ulcerations of the bowel.(History of IBD) In 1875, Wiles & Maxine portrayed it as "inflammation of the large intestine or idiopathic colitis". They referred to it as Ulcerative Colitis, but now is commonly known under the broad term Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Multiple test are taken in order to diagnose Ulcerative Colitis. Samples of fecal matter may be studied to check for infections, blood or parasites. Blood may also be drawn to check if there are present signs of anemia. The samples of blood may also monitor both kidney & liver functions. White blood cell count is crucial. An excessive count of white blood cells reflect current inflammation in the colon. A colon scope, a thin flexible lighted tube with a camera, may also be used to get a direct visualization of the interior of the colon. It allows doctors to measure the extremity of the colitis. They may also obtain small tissue sample through this method.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms can consist of abdominal pains, diarrhea, & traces of
