Curing the Incurable

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation or sores, known as ulcers, in the lining of the gut, commonly in the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has damaged the cells that  line the colon, that can then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea. This can often be accompanied by excess mucus in the stool.

When  inflammation happens in the rectum and lower part of the colon it is called ulcerative proctitis. When the whole colon is inflamed it is termed pancolitis. When the left side of the colon is inflamed it is called limited or distal colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is part of a group diseases called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the  name given to diseases causing inflammation in the small intestine and large intestine. Some times it can be difficult to diagnose because  symptoms are often similar to other intestinal disorders and to Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is different because the inflammation can occur deeper within the wall of the intestine and usually occurs higher up in the digestive tract including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Diagram of the Digestive Tract

What are the Physical symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Some of the most common physical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain or cramping and bloody diarrhea. Patients also may experience:

• anemia
• fatigue
• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• rectal bleeding
• loss of body fluids and nutrients
• cramping in other areas of the body
• joint pain
• excessive mucus in the stool

About 50 % of people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Others may suffer  fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis has also been associated with other problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis.