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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: ulcerative colitis + ulcerative colitis: + colitis  Related to the article below (Last Update: 7/8/2008)

Hypnosis may ease inflammation in colitis Reuters UK, UK - Jun 27, 2008 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hypnosis therapy may help ease some of the bowel inflammation seen in ulcerative colitis, a small study suggests. ... Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Announces Corporate Partners Annual ... PharmaLive.com (press release), PA - Jul 1, 2008 With over 1.4 million American suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, the Foundation looks to ... Long-Term Safety Data on Lialda(TM) (mesalamine) for Patients With ... FOXBusiness - Jun 17, 2008 Lialda tablets are indicated for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Safety and effectiveness of Lialda ...SHPGY - PINK:SHPGF Irish Independent Time to stop and smell the roses Irish Independent, Ireland - Jul 6, 2008 When Eleanor Dawson developed ulcerative colitis, it failed to respond to conventional medicine and left her exhausted. However, she tells Joy Orpen, ... Ulcerative Colitis RedOrbit, TX - Jun 26, 2008 By Spinks, Julian Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon with a prevalence of 35-100 per 100000. ... Ulcerative Colitis Needs Specialized Treatment RedOrbit, TX - Jun 24, 2008 By PETER GOTT Dear Dr. Gott: Can you give me some advice about ulcerative colitis? I have had this condition for 25 years. I have seen several doctors and ... Banks wins battle with ulcerative colitis Vicksburg Post, MS - Jun 22, 2008 Banks, a WC graduate, was a student at Ole Miss when he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2005. The disease, which affects as many as one million ... Ulcerative colitis needs attention San Bernardino Sun, CA - Jun 18, 2008 Dear Dr. Gott: Can you give me some advice about ulcerative colitis? I have had this condition for 25 years. I have seen several doctors and taken lots of ... Single-Dose MMX Mesalazine May Be Effective for Ulcerative Colitis Medscape (subscription) - Jun 19, 2008 "Maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis should be as convenient as possible, to increase the chance of compliance," write Michael A. Kamm, ... Health & Family Calendar Wilmette Life, IL - Jul 3, 2008 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation hosts a free support group to assist patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, their families, significant others ...

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation (painful swelling) and sores (ulcers) in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon (large intestine), although it may affect the entire organ. Ulcerative colitis may also be called colitis, ileitis or proctitis.

This disease is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms are very similar to inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease.

About half of all patients have mild symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea (most common symptoms)
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rectal bleeding
• Loss of body fluids and nutrients

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Other medical problems that crop up as a result of ulcerative colitis include arthritis, eye inflammation, liver disease, osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), skin rashes, anemia and kidney stones. These conditions are usually mild and go away when the colitis is treated.

Affecting men and women equally, ulcerative colitis most often occurs in people 15 to 40 years of age. As with other inflammatory bowel disease conditions, ulcerative colitis has no known cause. The disease appears to run in some families. There is also some evidence that the body's immune (disease-fighting) system reacts to a virus or bacteria by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. However, this has not been proven.

Stress does not cause ulcerative colitis nor do certain foods or food products, but these factors may set off symptoms in some people.

About five percent of people with ulcerative colitis develop colon cancer. The risk increases with the duration of the disease and how much of the colon is involved.

IBD specialists first perform a complete physical exam and then a number of tests to help determine whether ulcerative colitis is present. Blood tests check for anemia and high white blood count - conditions that can indicate bleeding or inflammation somewhere in the body. A sample of the patient's stool can also provide clues of bleeding or infection in the colon or rectum.

To see inside the colon and rectum, the doctor may perform a colonoscopy. An instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the anus. The long, flexible lighted tube connects to a computer screen and reveals any swelling, bleeding or ulcers on the colon wall. During this procedure, the doctor may also take a small sample of tissue to study under the microscope (biopsy).

A barium enema X-ray of the colon can shed more light on the patient's condition. For this procedure, the colon is filled with barium, a chalky white solution. The barium shows up on X-ray film to allow the doctor a clear view of and any problems on the colon.

Our team of IBD doctors design treatment plans for ulcerative colitis sufferers based on how severe the case is. Patients experience the condition differently, so treatment is adjusted for each individual. Emotional and psychological support is also an important part of any treatment plan.

Many patients have months or even years when the condition disappears. Unfortunately, most symptoms eventually come back. No one can predict when or for how long. A person with ulcerative colitis may need frequent checkups and regular medical care for some time.

Among the strategies used by IBD specialists are:

• Drug therapy
• Surgery

Patients are encouraged to consider all factors (needs, personal lifestyle and expectations) before making the decision to go ahead with surgical options.