Ulcerative Colitis

The ulcerative colitis is a condition p rosvallei the mucosa of the colon and even the inflammation found in contiguous portion of the colon. The usual symptoms are rectal bleeding, diarrhea and sometimes constipation. The prevalence of ulcerative colitis is internationally 4-14 per 100,000 inhabitants. In Greece the prevalence is 8.3 / 100,000 (with data from Crete).
In ulcerative colitis the colon suffers inflammation swells (swelling) and created on the surface of ulcers (sores) that may be very small to very large. Result, "the wounded gut" can not absorb water, become watery stools (diarrhea), while ulcers sometimes blood comes out.

The ulcerative colitis is very similar to another bowel condition called Crohn's disease (Crohn's disease) and previously thought was the same disease.  We now know that they are two separate diseases belonging to inflammatory bowel disease (IFEN) and despite the many similarities and have great differences.  The most important difference is that whereas in ulcerative colitis suffers only the colon, Crohn's disease may be damaged and the small intestine, stomach, even the mouth.  However, still used the most modern methods, it is sometimes difficult to understand which of the two diseases is only time and careful monitoring of the patient can give the answer.

FAQs

What is the cause of ulcerative kolit Ida;

The cause is unknown so far.  Although not a purely hereditary disease, that is inherited from the mother or father to child, seems to be inherited, meaning that it occurs more often in individuals of the same family and especially twin brothers. Scientists from around the world continue to investigate the strange illness and there is optimism that in the near future will know the cause of the rise, so finding and definitive treatment.
What is certain is that it is not contagious (infectious).  Although symptoms may be the same as one from a gastro bug, it is important to understand that this is an entirely different condition requiring special treatment. Also key is not to be confused condition ulcerative colitis, the term infectious colitis or spastic colitis, which although are also colitis (ie infect the large intestine or colon) are completely different diseases.

What happens to ulcerative colitis?

Anyone can get ulcerative colitis, male, female, child or even an infant, but most often occurs in people aged 16-25

How common is ulcerative colitis?

In England there are 80,000 people suffering from ulcerative colitis, and each year 5,000 new cases are presented .It is more common among northern European countries.
In our country previously held the view that it was relatively rare disease, which is no longer valid.

  What are the symptoms?

The ulcerative colitis presents with diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  The stools contain mucus (slime), blood or pus.  Sometimes the patient has a strong sense of tenesmus (tightness on discharge), which goes to the bathroom several times trying to empty the bowel. In more severe cases may be a high fever and the stools are not formed at all, but plain water with blood and mucus.

Symptoms usually begin suddenly. Some people may occur for the first time or relapsed after a period of intense anxiety or distress long after.  Also gastroenteritis, influenza or other common infections may be the reason for the disease. It has been observed that ulcerative colitis occurs more frequently in former smokers, ie individuals who smoked in the past and stopped smoking.

What other problems can be solved?

People with ulcerative colitis may experience pain in the waist, hands, feet or even arthritis, ie inflammation (swelling) in an articulation of the hands or feet.In several cases appear thrush in the mouth and irritation to the eyes (red eyes and no itching).  Less commonly, it can produce skin irritation, with redness, pain or ulcers rarely.  Most often these problems occur when there is a relapse or exacerbation of ulcerative colitis and disappear with treatment.


 Are all forms of ulcerative colitis same?

No, not the same. There are several types, depending on how much of the colon is ulcerative colitis.
  Fortunately most ill are limited form ulcerative colitis, or that orthitida orthosigmoeiditida. The smaller piece of the intestine, the more there are few symptoms and lighter form of colitis. Over the years, it is possible to go from a small section around the intestine, the contrast to retreat from the entire intestine in a much smaller part. Therefore, it is important both for you and for your doctor to know exactly how the area has ulcerative colitis and to give appropriate treatment.

  We have ulcerative colitis throughout my life?

The ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that has flares and remissions. his means that it is a condition that comes and goes, that one can be quite ill for a good time, but at some point present symptoms of relapse and disease. Once you have an episode of ulcerative colitis is almost certain to have another one in the future.How long you will be completely well and when it will again experience a relapse one can not foresee.  There are people who have little episodes throughout their lives, while others, thankfully few, then have symptoms.
  What is certain is that this is a situation which will need to learn to live together, so it is important to understand its nature and how to deal with it.

What is causing a relapse of ulcerative colitis and what can I do to catch?

Unfortunately we do not know the reason that causes a new relapse.  But it is known that ulcerative colitis is more likely to xanaemfanisthei after an episode of gastroenteritis or influenza, after treatment with antibiotics and antirheumatic drugs or after a period of intense anxiety.

Does ulcerative colitis compared with food or drink;

There seems to be a particular food or drink to be responsible for the incidents ulcerative colitis, although each individual is good to find if there is some kind of food that causes problems and to avoid. Some patients, especially when they have diarrhea or abdominal pain, it is preferable to avoid milk, fatty foods, legumes and vegetables or fruits with many seeds Also, some people with ulcerative colitis have noticed that wine, beer and some spirits to cause diarrhea and bloating. The truth is that you should avoid alcohol when taking medications for ulcerative colitis because they may carry several times as a result of many dangerous side effects. This does not mean that you should do a strict diet, especially when you have no symptoms. However it is essential to get all the essential nutrients you need and follow a complete diet.  Furthermore it is known that ulcerative colitis is rare in places such as Africa, where they still eat traditional foods rich in cereals, vegetables and fruits.

How is the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and what tests you need to do?

To come to the conclusion that you have ulcerative colitis should be considered colon.  This can be done by barium enema, colonoscopy and orthosigmoeidoskopisi.
The barium enema after a 3 day diet and bowel cleansing with laxatives, enema is a substance called barium, and then obtained a series of radiographs.  In this way the doctor can tell you what part of the intestine has a problem, but can not take biopsies and to draw with absolute diagnosis. But it is a good examination is radiologist from almost all hospitals and helps where it can be colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a relatively new examination made by gastroenterologist. With a thin soft tube that goes from the anus, the doctor can look directly over the colon on TV, to check on what and how much suffering is just part of problem. The most important thing is that it can take small pieces of intestine (biopsy) and send to the pathologist for examination. This is the only sure way to make a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.The examination takes about 20-30 minutes and you need to do from 3 days before diet and good bowel cleansing. Since colonoscopy can cause slight pain before the examination is an intravenous injection to relax you and maybe bring you a little sleep. The orthosigmoeidoskopisi is about the same as colonoscopy, except that this examination the doctor may see only the last part and not the entire intestine.Because the diet does not need 3 days or sedative injection is an easy examination is very often even on an outpatient basis.
  These tests, along with blood tests, urine and faeces, it is necessary for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with ulcerative colitis.Depending on the course of illness, you may need some additional tests such as ultrasound, a CT scan, a gastroscopy, the enteroklysi etc.

It can be treated as ulcerative colitis;


Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can perform surgery?

With the medicines listed above, 70-80% of patients will go into recession and will not have to surgery.

  • In very severe episode of ulcerative colitis not responding to intensified drug therapy in hospital
  • In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis consecutive relapses despite treatment they get, so they can not live a normal life
  •  Where there are serious problems that accompany ulcerative colitis and other organs such as eyes, skin, or joints
  • . In patients with suspected cancer or dysplasia (cancer at an early stage).

What kind of surgery done? Will have surgery after the "unnatural office";

 The surgery removed the entire large intestine and essentially you no longer have ulcerative colitis. Previously, the surgery was that the patient was necessary eileostomia which is "unnatural office. But in recent years, found a new technique, called operation paouts (pouch), which removed the entire colon but without the need for "unnatural office.  In this way the patient can live a normal life without facing more problems ulcerative colitis, psychological or other problems of "unnatural office.
Since it is a difficult operation which several times has several complications, it is very important to carefully select the patients and only by surgeons who are specialized in this technique.

Both specialized centers abroad, and in some hospitals in Greece, there is now considerable experience in this surgery with very good results so far.

Although no major drug therapy, there are many drugs that will relieve the symptoms will help you set the ulcerative colitis and to keep "sleeping".
  These medicines are marketed in pills, suppositories and enemas. In what form will you take drugs, depends on the section of intestine that has a problem.  So if the colitis is only in the last part of the intestine, it is very likely may need only suppositories and enemas, and if the entire intestine is suffering, you should take and pills.  What type of medicine will get and for how long, depends on how severe ulcerative colitis is and how serious is repeated each time. In the case of heavy attack, with symptoms that do not pass the common medicines would have to take cortisone for a short time (usually 1-2 months) or some other newer drugs called immunosuppressants.
In some cases the bleeding continues, no fever or other serious problems, it is necessary to import the hospital and get treated intravenously. As with all medicines, drugs and ulcerative colitis can cause rare, thankfully-some side effects, so it is important to consult your doctor whenever you notice something new in your symptoms.  It is also essential to avoid certain drugs such as antirheumatic and not stop the treatment that you have set your doctor even if you feel completely well.  No, ulcerative colitis generates a constant irritation of the gut, so there is a small risk of developing dysplasia (early stage cancer) or cancer. This risk is limited to people who suffer from ulcerative colitis to catch the entire intestine and have this disease for many years (over 10).
Since the early stages of cancer in ulcerative colitis can be easily found and cured completely, it is important that frequent monitoring especially those with ulcerative colitis for many years and frequent inspection of the bowel with colonoscopy.