Let us start with the basics first. What is ulcerative colitis? It is a condition of the bowel that causes sores and inflammations within the colon lining, called ulcers. You may also find these ulcers in the rectum, and they bleed. This condition causes chronic diarrhea in some.
Before you can find out what’s wrong with your digestive tract and to figure out if you’ve just eaten something bad, or are not eating correctly, several things you need consider. An ulcer is something that doesn’t go away, so if you have occasional bouts of diarrhea or problems like constipation, pain, bloating or swelling, go see your doctor, but don’t automatically assume that you have an ulcer. Some of the more common symptoms of an ulcerative ulcer are:
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Rectal bleeding
- Skin lesions
- Loss of appetite
These are only a few symptoms of an ulcerative ulcer, so if this condition concerns you, visit your doctor sooner rather than later. Inflammation in the bowel, also known as IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, which is a blanket name given to a few conditions that strike the large and small intestines. Because so many of the symptoms are similar to other conditions, your doctor may take some time to decide on a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. It is especially similar to Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation in deep tissues of the intestinal wall as well at to thestomach, esophagus and mouth.
Ulcerative colitis can strike people of any age, though symptoms usually start to present in those between 15 and 30 years old. It is rare for someone between 50 and 70 years old to develop suddenly an ulcerative ulcer, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Both men and women can be affected and it does run in families, so watch for genetics. More Caucasian people suffer from the disease than other ethnic groups, which may be good news or bad news, depending on which group you belong to.
Most often, people suffering from ulcerative colitis experience bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Any time you see blood in the stools is a time to go see your doctor, even though you may not have any accompanying symptoms. For about half the people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, the condition does not come with severe symptoms. The other half, however, experience nausea, abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea, as well as fevers and other issues.
If left untreated, ulcerative colitis may lead to arthritis as well as liver disease and inflammations in the eye, though doctors and researchers do not yet know the reasons behind such factors. Most people believe that early inflammation within the colon can also affect the entire immune system. It is important to see your doctor whenever you have a condition that does not go away within a few days. Don’t take chances with your health. Your doctor can treat ulcerative colitis, and the sooner you seek such treatment, the better you will feel.
