Ulcerative Colitis

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Signs of ulcerative colitis can vary based on where inflammation is in the digestive tract. Symptoms often are mild at first and develop over time. These can include:

• Abdominal pain, cramping, and discomfort
• Anemia
• Bloody stools
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Frequent diarrhea, loose bowel movements, or feeling urgency to defecate
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Rectal pain
• Weight loss

Children with ulcerative colitis may experience delayed growth and development. For many patients with ulcerative colitis, symptoms may come and go, with periods of remission that can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis

While the exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, certain factors may play a role. These include:

• Family history: Patients who have a close relative with ulcerative colitis are at higher risk for developing the disease themselves.
• Age: While ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, it usually begins before the age of 30.
• Race and ethnicity: Rates of ulcerative colitis are highest among patients who are white and/or of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
• History of smoking: Patients who smoke or used to smoke have higher rates of ulcerative colitis than non-smokers.
• Geography: According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, ulcerative colitis rates are highest in Northern Europe and North America.

Diet and stress are not necessarily risk factors for ulcerative colitis, but they may exacerbate symptoms. Sex does not appear to be a risk factor – rates of ulcerative colitis are similar among male and female patients.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, but lifestyle changes and medications can help manage flare-ups. To confirm a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, a patient may undergo one or more of the following tests:

• Blood work: A blood test may be used to check for anemia or signs of infection.
• Stool sample test: A lab test of a patient’s stool sample can check for inflammation in the colon, as well as rule out infection caused by bacteria, a parasite, or virus.
• Colonoscopy: In this test, a doctor uses a thin, lighted tube to examine the colon lining to check for ulcers, bleeding, or abnormal growths.
• Biopsy: A biopsy can be performed as part of an endoscopy or colonoscopy procedure to examine a tissue sample.
• Imaging tests: An X-ray or a CT scan may be recommended to rule out other conditions and check for inflammation in the colon.

A number of medications can help treat ulcerative colitis. These include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immune system suppressors
• Biologics
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Antispasmodic pills, which reduce cramps

Patients with more severe ulcerative colitis who do not respond to medication may be candidates for surgery. Two surgical procedures are commonly performed to treat ulcerative colitis:

• Ileoanal anastomosis: In this procedure, a surgeon removes the patient’s entire colon and most of the rectum. The surgeon then will use the small intestine to construct a small pouch that is attached directly to the anus.
• Proctocolectomy: This procedure removes the entire colon and rectum and brings the small intestine through the patient’s abdominal wall. The patient must wear an ileostomy bag afterward.

Certain lifestyle modifications can help mitigate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as:

• Staying hydrated: Patients with ulcerative colitis should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can make diarrhea worse.
• Limiting dairy intake: Lactose, the type of sugar found in many dairy products, can exacerbate gas, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. As a result, some patients find it helpful to reduce their intake of foods such as milk, cheese, and ice cream.
• Eating smaller meals: Some patients with ulcerative colitis eat five or six small meals each day instead of three large ones to reduce stress on their digestive system.
• Managing stress: Although stress doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis, it can trigger flare-ups. Regular exercise, yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises all can help patients reduce their stress and stay relaxed.

Infusion Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

An alternative to oral medication is biologic therapies, medications that often are administered intravenously as an infusion treatment. These biologics target specific proteins in the immune system to reduce the body’s inflammatory response.

Patients can receive infusion treatments at home, in a hospital, or in a community-based care center. Increasingly, insurance providers are recommending or requiring that their members receive infusions at care centers like Regional Cancer Care Associates. In addition to offering chemotherapy treatment for patients with cancer, Regional Cancer Care Associates administers therapeutic medications for patients with a wide range of chronic conditions.

Medications, treatment duration, and infusion treatment schedules vary from patient to patient. However, Regional Cancer Care Associates works with each patient and his or her referring provider to implement a personalized care plan. Regional Cancer Care Associates also offers extensive patient education, so each individual understands his or her condition, treatment plan, and cost of treatment. Medical providers are always onsite when a patient receives their infusion treatment.

Ulcerative Colitis Care for Patients in NJ, CT, & MD

At Regional Cancer Care Associates, patients will find a calm and welcoming environment where they can receive infusion treatments under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. With multiple convenient locations, Regional Cancer Care Associates serves patients throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area. To learn more about infusion services at Regional Cancer Care Associates, contact us today.