How is ulcerative colitis causes

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine bowel and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stools are stored. Small ulcers can develop on the colon's lining, and can bleed and produce pus. You may also experience extreme tiredness fatigue , loss of appetite and weight loss. The severity of the symptoms varies, depending on how much of the rectum and colon is inflamed and how severe the inflammation is.

For some people, the condition has a significant impact on their everyday lives. Some people may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all remission , followed by periods where the symptoms are particularly troublesome flare-ups or relapses. During a flare-up, some people with ulcerative colitis also experience symptoms elsewhere in their body.

Medications to relieve pain and diarrhoea may be recommended. Antibiotics may be required if infection is present in the colon.

Dehydration caused by profuse diarrhoea may need to be treated by giving fluids through a drip. Loss of blood through the rectum over a long period of time can lead to anaemia. Iron tablets may be prescribed to correct the anaemia and prevent its recurrence. In cases of severe blood loss, blood transfusions may be required.

Stress reduction. While stress does not cause ulcerative colitis, it can worsen symptoms in some people. Developing techniques to reduce stress can be helpful in managing the condition. These include mild-to-moderate forms of exercise and regular relaxation and breathing exercises.

There is no evidence to support any specific diet as a treatment for ulcerative colitis. Some foods e. Keeping a food diary can be helpful in identifying which foods are problematic. Once identified, these foods should be avoided during flare-ups.

It may be recommended that vitamin and mineral supplements, such as iron and calcium, are added to the diet. Eating five or six small meals per day rather than three large meals may help to reduce symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can help to prevent dehydration.

In severe cases, where medication and supportive treatment have not been successful in controlling the condition, or where the side effects of medications cannot be tolerated, surgery may be required. There are three main surgical techniques for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Back to Ulcerative colitis. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, although it's thought to be the result of a problem with the immune system. The immune system is the body's defence against infection. Many experts believe ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

The immune system normally fights off infections by releasing white blood cells into the blood to destroy the cause of the infection. Medical tests may include blood tests, stool tests, and endoscopy of the large intestine.

Doctors typically treat ulcerative colitis with medicines to reduce inflammation in the large intestine and help bring on and maintain remission. In some cases, doctors may recommend surgery to treat ulcerative colitis or complications.