Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in Indore

Ulcerative Colitis- Detailed Account.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) marked by inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum linings. It leads to chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain on the abdomen, and rectal bleeding. UC is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by the system of immunity attacking the colon and causing chronic inflammation.

It is common in adults within the age group of 15-30, though it may also take place at any age. The disease has a tendency to have a relapsing-remitting course, whereby the disease has periods of flare-ups and remissions.

Causes & Risk Factors

1. Autoimmune Dysfunction

The intestinal lining is wrongly recognised by the immune system and becomes inflamed and develops ulcers.

2. Genetic Factors

Susceptibility to UC or other autoimmune disorders is higher in cases of family history.

There are gene variants, which are risk-associated (e.g. NOD2).

3. Environmental Triggers

Flare-ups may be caused by diet, stress, infections and microbiome imbalance in the gut.

4. Other Risk Factors

Age: The majority of the cases are diagnosed during the teenage and young adulthood.

Ethnicity: Caucasians and Ashkenazi Jews.

Smoking: Non-smokers are more at risk (and it is again interesting that smoking appears to have a protective effect in UC, but not in Crohn’s disease)

The Effects of Ulcerative Colitis on the Body.

The chronic inflammation destroys the colon lining, causing ulcers.

Causation of normal bowel functioning disruption- diarrhoea and bleeding.

The inflammation can spread to the whole colon (pancolitis) or only to limited areas (proctitis, left-sided colitis).

Systemic inflammation may involve joints, the skin, eyes and liver.

Symptoms

Digestive Symptoms

Persistent diarrhoea, which is usually bloody or mucous.

Abdominal pain and cramping

Urgency to pass stool

Perineal insufficiency sensation of incomplete bowel emptying.

Weight loss in severe cases

Systemic Symptoms

Fatigue and weakness

Fever during flare-ups

Anaemia of chronic blood loss.

Extra-Intestinal Symptoms

Joint pain and arthritis

Skins (erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum)

Inflammation of the eyes (uveitis, episcleritis)

Liver diseases (primary sclerosing cholangitis).

Complications

Severe bleeding or anaemia

Colon perforation (infrequent but fatal)

Bad colon (severe colon distension)

Prolonged long-term UC increases the risk of colon cancer.

Nutritional deficiencies

Diagnosis

Clinical Evaluation

Past chronic diarrhoea, rectal blood loss, and abdominal pain.

Laboratory Tests

CBC (anaemia, infection)

CRP and ESR (inflammatory markers).

Stool tests to eliminate infections.

Endoscopy

The gold standard is the use of colonoscopy with biopsy.

Discloses inflammation, ulcer, and mucosal damage.

Imaging

CT or MRI to measure complications and the colon.

Traditional Medical Form of Treatment.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and aminosalicylates (mesalamine)

Smooth out inflammation of the colon and stay in remission.

2. Corticosteroids

Short-term use for flare-ups

Decrease acute inflammation in a short period of time.

3. Immunosuppressive Drugs

Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine.

Inhibit pathological immune reaction.

4. Biologic Therapies

TNF inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab)

Anti-integrin agents (vedolizumab).

Indicated as a moderate-severe UC that is resistant to standard therapy.

5. Surgery

In severe cases or in cases where the risk of cancer is present, colectomy may be necessary.

Treatable but can be cured by ileostomy or pouching.

Lifestyle & Supportive Care

1. Diet & Nutrition

Do not eat trigger foods (spicy, fatty, processed) when experiencing a flare-up.

Eat small, frequent meals

Check hydration and make sure that the nutrients are taken.

Supplementation due to deficiencies (vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and so on) should be considered.

2. Stress Management

Flare-up frequency can be minimised by yoga, meditation and counselling.

3. Exercise

Moderate exercise enhances the health and immunity of the gut.

4. Complementary-Integrative Approaches.

Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and herbs can assist with symptomatic relief, decreased inflammation and health of the gut.

Medical therapy should be combined with it, not substituted.

5. Monitoring

Frequent colonoscopy for long-term disease to determine complications.

Blood analysis on inflammation and anaemia.

Prognosis

UC is long-term and recurrent, although a majority of the patients respond to treatment.

The quality of life is enhanced, and complications are minimised by early diagnosis and medication compliance and lifestyle management.

Surgery can be curative in severe or treatment-resistant cases, but the surgery can also be necessary.

Patients can lead normal lives and have health problems in the long run with appropriate care.