What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum that has no known cause and no known cure. Although its symptoms can often be managed through drug therapy, and long-term remission is possible, some people with ulcerative colitis require surgery in order to restore their quality of life.
What are the risk factors for the disease?
Ulcerative colitis is equally likely to occur in females and males, and family history does not appear to be a major risk factor, although it does increase one’s risk somewhat. It is most common among Caucasians and those of Jewish descent in the United States, England, and Northern Europe. It is rare among those of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent; however, it can occur in any race.
Most people with ulcerative colitis develop the condition before they reach the age of 30, but it can develop at any age.
What are the symptoms of the condition?
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary, depending on the location and severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea, often accompanied by blood
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Urgent need to defecate, sometimes accompanied by an inability to actually defecate
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Stunted growth in children with the condition
How is ulcerative colitis treated?
Unless ulcerative colitis presents life-threatening complications, surgery is usually reserved as a last resort after drug therapy has been attempted and proven unsuccessful at controlling symptoms. There is no medication that can cure ulcerative colitis, but drug therapy has generally been highly effective at inducing and maintaining remissions. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids, are usually the first line of attack and may be sufficient to controlling symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, anti-inflammatory drugs may be used in conjunction with immunosuppressant drugs such as azathioprine and cyclosporine.
Surgery is usually recommended if patients:
- Have severe ulcerative colitis and are not responding to drug therapy.
- Are at high risk of developing colon cancer.
- Are experiencing life-threatening complications due to ulcerative colitis.
At Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York, we perform surgery to remove the diseased colon and the rectum. This eliminates both ulcerative colitis and the risk of colon cancer. At one point, this procedure required patients to have a bag connected to a small opening in their abdominal wall to collect waste. New advancements have resulted in improvements to the procedure that now allow patients to empty waste without the need for a collection bag. Some patients may even be able to keep their anal muscles intact and eliminate waste through their small intestines via the normal route of waste elimination.
Learn More about Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
To learn more about the treatment of ulcerative colitis, please contact the Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York today.
