Why ulcerative colitis

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. Ulcerative colitis symptoms may cause some people to lose their appetite and eat less, and they may not get enough nutrients. If you have ulcerative colitis, you should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Fulminant colitis can present a risk of colon rupture and toxic megacolon, which causes the colon to become severely distended.

It may help to take supplements or eliminate particular foods from the diet. However, a person should discuss any complementary or alternative measures with a doctor before trying them. Here, find out more about what to eat and avoid with ulcerative colitis.

Research suggests that people with ulcerative colitis are more likely to have certain genetic features. The specific genetic feature that a person has may affect the age at which the disease appears. The body might respond to a viral or bacterial infection in a way that causes the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis. Once the infection resolves, the immune system continues to respond, which leads to ongoing inflammation. Another theory suggests that ulcerative colitis may be an autoimmune condition.

A fault in the immune system may cause it to fight nonexistent infections, leading to inflammation in the colon. Some known risk factors for ulcerative colitis include:. They will also check for signs of anemia, or low iron levels in the blood, and tenderness around the abdomen. A person with ulcerative colitis will need to see a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the digestive system, or a gastroenterologist.

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can range from mild to severe, but it needs treatment. Without treatment, the symptoms may go away, but there is a higher chance of them coming back. Most people will receive outpatient treatment. Of these, 1 in 5 may need to spend time in the hospital. Various medications are available, and a doctor will make a treatment plan that takes individual needs and wishes into account.

Natural approaches can support medical treatment, but they cannot replace it. The first aim of treatment is to reduce the risk of a flare and its severity if a flare does occur. Long-term therapy can help achieve this. There are several types of medication, and a doctor will make a treatment plan to suit the individual.

Ulcerative colitis results from a problem with the immune system. Three types of drugs that can help are biologics, immunomodulators, and small molecules. These target the way the immune system works. These drugs can help people with moderate to severe symptoms, but they may have adverse effects. People should talk to their doctor about the options available and the benefits and risks of each drug.

However, for mild to moderate symptoms, guidelines suggest 5-aminosalicylic acid, or aminosalicylates 5-ASA , as a first-line treatment. Aminosalicylates : In the past, 5-ASA played a key role in treating the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

These are still an option, but current guidelines recommend focusing on long-term treatment to prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place. Steroids : These can help manage inflammation if aminosalicylates do not help. Where and how you live also seems to affect your chances of developing ulcerative colitis, which suggests environmental factors are important. For example, the condition is more common in urban areas of northern parts of western Europe and America.

Various environmental factors that may be linked to ulcerative colitis have been studied, including air pollution, medication and certain diets. Although no factors have so far been identified, countries with improved sanitation seem to have a higher population of people with the condition.

Page last reviewed: 23 January Next review due: 23 January Autoimmune condition The immune system is the body's defence against infection. This results in swelling and redness inflammation of body tissue in the infected area.