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Ulcerative colitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the part lining the inner surface of the large intestine with the effect of environmental factors.
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Approximately 95% of cases have involvement of the rectum, the last part of the large intestine.
Ulcerative colitis often spreads from the anus up through the large intestine. It is frequently seen between the ages of 15-40, but 5% of the cases occur after the age of 60.
Bleeding from the rectum: Frequent episodes of bloody diarrhea, mucus may also be present.
Constant straining (tenesmus), abdominal pain, constipation, biliary tract stenosis
Fever (above 37.5o C)
High heart rate (tachycardia)
weight loss
Persistent fatigue
cramping abdominal pain
Sometimes constipation in the elderly
Extra-intestinal symptoms: rheumatoid arthritis, aphthae in the mouth, some eye diseases, biliary tract stenosis (primary sclerosing cholangitis), kidney stones, vein occlusions
Painkillers, aspirin, some antibiotics, birth control pills cause exacerbation of the disease. It is known that 5-10% of cases apply to the doctor for the first time with a severe exacerbation of the disease.
In this patient group, in case of response to treatment, it was determined that 50% of them required surgical intervention within one year and 75% of them within five years with a new attack.
The severity of disease activity is often made according to the Montreal (Truelove-Witts criteria) classification.
Remission (quiescent period): less than 3-4 defecations per day
Mild: bloodless or bloody stools up to 4 times a day
Moderate: bloody stools at least 4-6 times a day
Severe: bloody stools more than 6 times a day
5-ASA (mesalamine): It is an important drug at a dose of 2.4-4.8 g/day and in the maintenance of the disease in the quiescent period (remission). Tablets and enema forms are available for use in types with rectal involvement near the anus.
Sulfasalazine: It is used as 4-6 g/day and is effective in mild to moderate disease and disease in the quiescent period (remission).< br> Infliximab: It is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and is used in moderate and severe ulcerative colitis cases.
Azathioprine: 2.5 mg/kg/day is given and is an immune system stabilizer.< br> Cyclosporine: it is important for prevention from surgery.
6-Mercaptopurine: 1.5 mg/kg/day is given, it is a drug that reduces the amount of cortisone.
Ciprofloxacin: bacteria
Metronidazole: It is an antibiotic that helps to destroy bacteria that is effective in an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment.
Cortisone: In mild to moderate cases, budesonide (in the form of enema) 2-8 mg/day) and hydrocortisone (100 mg/day) are used. In severe cases, intravenous (IV) 60mg/day methylprednisolone or hydrocortisone 400mg/day is given.
Balsalazide: It is effective in mild to moderate disease.
Stool transplant: Stool taken from a healthy person after passing the sample through a microfiltration system; It is given to people with intestinal problems via enema, colonoscopy, tablets, nasal gastric tube. This method, called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), was first used in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDE), which is caused by the decrease or disappearance of beneficial bacteria in the intestine after heavy antibiotic use. CDE is responsible for 15-25% of diarrheas that develop after heavy antibiotic use.
Later, it was used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease. Such treatments are carried out by Gastroenterology Specialists. Since it is a relatively new treatment method, there is not enough information about its long-term results. With this treatment method, there are reservations about the transmission of viruses such as jaundice (hepatitis), AIDS disease (HIV) to the transplant recipient.
Tests and physical examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis. It may include:
Blood and Stool Tests
Simple blood tests can show if you have inflammation somewhere in your body and whether you are anaemic. Your stools may also be tested for signs of bleeding or inflammation and to check if your diarrhea is due to an Infection. If inflammation is confirmed, examination such as endoscopy, x-ray or scanning is done.
Endoscopies
In an endoscopy, a doctor or specialist endoscopist uses an endoscope (a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end) to examine your digestive tract. There are several types of endoscopy, each with a different name depending on the part of the intestine being examined. The type of endoscope used will also vary.
Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy
These types of endoscopies are often used to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of ulcerative colitis. In these tests, a short endoscope called a SIGMOIDOSCOP or a longer and more flexible colonoscope is inserted through the anus to examine the rectum and colon.
MRI and CT Scans
Other tests that can sometimes be used to help diagnose colitis include MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans. MRI scans use magnets and radio waves and CT scans use a special type of x-ray to create a ‘3D’ image of the body. Some centers also use ultrasound to find areas of inflammation.
Ulcerative colitis can pose a risk if left untreated. This risk increases with the extent of the colon affected by colitis and is therefore greater if you have extensive colitis than left-sided colitis.
People with proctitis do not have an increased risk. It shows that the risk of developing cancer usually begins to increase about 8-10 years after the onset of symptoms. This should be diagnosed before it is much later than when your symptoms started.
Ulcerative colitis So far there is little evidence that any food or additive can cause or cure colitis. The most important thing in general is to maintain your weight and strength
Eating a nutritious and balanced diet and drinking enough fluids to keep you hydrated is because you may find that certain foods affect your symptoms.
For example, when you have a flare-up, bland, bland foods may cause less discomfort than raw vegetables or non-seasoned foods. The urge to open the bowels is usually caused by inflammation in the lower colon, but because fiber adds bulk to stool, it can act as a trigger and make urgency worse.
Therefore, it may be helpful to reduce the amount of fiber you eat during flare-ups and perhaps switch to a low-fiber diet. It’s important to get your doctor’s advice on a healthy safe diet so it doesn’t get triggered again.
A leading theory in ulcerative colitis is that certain food products specifically trigger inflammation in the immune system.
Milk, eggs, fruit juices, dried fruits, dates, wheat, bread, pasta, alcohol, red meat, especially fatty meat should not be consumed. In the psychological sense, it is necessary to stay away from stress and anger from the environment where your emotions are destroyed.
Ulcerative colitis can be seen in a 2-year-old child, and it can also be seen in 15-year-olds. Ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, but most people are diagnosed in their mid-30s.
Men and women are equally likely to be affected, but older men are more likely to be diagnosed than older women.
When ulcerative colic is left untreated it triggers anemia. Anemia begins in the body, symptoms such as abdominal swelling and vomiting may occur during the exacerbation period.
Stones form in the urinary tract and kidneys. It causes constipation in people over 60 years of age. In advanced cases, it can lead to bowel cancer.
Ulcerative colitis signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and left-sided pain and urgent defecation. It usually affects the entire colon and causes bouts of bloody diarrhea that can be severe, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue and significant weight loss.
Abdominal pain from ulcerative colitis can create a cramping sensation in the intestines. It can happen before a bowel movement or as you go. Other parts of your body may also be damaged. Some people with the disease have joint pain.
Ulcerative colitis attacks vary from person to person, in some patients it is seen as widespread diarrhea, while in some patients it manifests itself as constipation.
Attacks can generally be treated on an outpatient basis. One of the most important reasons that trigger attacks is stress and the other is the ready-made fatty foods consumed.
