Category Archives: Ulcerative Colitis
Causes of Ulcerative Colitis
What causes ulcerative colitis? Researchers do not know the cause of this disease. It is not believed to be caused by emotional stress or food, or transmitted directly from person to person. Research studies have shown that inflammation in cases of inflammatory bowel disease involves a complex interaction between genes inherited by the patient, the [...]
Ulcerative Colitis: Emotional Stress
Does emotional stress activate the attacks of ulcerative colitis? Because the body and mind are closely interrelated, emotional stress can influence the symptoms of ulcerative colitis or, for that matter, any chronic disease. Although the disease occasionally used after the patient has experienced emotional problems, there is no evidence that stress causes ulcerative colitis. It [...]
Ulcerative Colitis: Surgery and Nutrition
What is the role of surgery in ulcerative colitis? At a quarter to a third of patients, medical therapy is not completely successful or complications arise. Under these circumstances, surgery may be considered. This surgery involves complete removal of the colon (colectomy). Unlike Crohn’s disease which may recur after surgery, ulcerative colitis is “cured” once [...]
Ulcerative Colitis: Diagnosis and Medications
How is ulcerative colitis diagnosed? Doctors diagnose ulcerative colitis based on clinical history as described above. The main goal of medical screening is to differentiate ulcerative colitis from other infectious causes of diarrhea. Consequently, stool tests are performed to eliminate the possibility of diarrhea caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Then, the patient usually undergoes [...]
How Common is Ulcerative Colitis?
How common is ulcerative colitis? It is estimated that around 1,000,000 Americans with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, about half of that number for each disease. Ulcerative colitis is predominantly a disease of young people. Most cases are diagnosed before age 30, although the disease can occur at any age, including in the last decades [...]
Ulcerative Colitis
When you first learn that you have ulcerative colitis, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. You need answers to several questions: Will I be able to work, travel, exercise? Can medications have side effects? Do I need a special diet? How do others react to my illness? Learn everything possible is an important step to [...]