Ulcerative Colitis Specialists in ESI, Delhi

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes persistent inflammation and ulceration of the innermost lining of the large intestine and…

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes persistent inflammation and ulceration of the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum. It is an autoimmune-related condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissue of the colon, leading to periods of active symptoms, called flares, alternating with periods of remission. The inflammation typically begins in the rectum and can extend continuously to involve part or all of the colon, distinguishing its pattern from Crohn's disease which can affect any part of the digestive tract in a patchy distribution. Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition with no permanent cure through medication alone, though many patients achieve long periods of symptom control with appropriate treatment. Severe or poorly controlled disease increases the long-term risk of colon cancer and may eventually require surgical removal of the colon.

Severity

Moderate

Prevalence

Uncommon — affects a relatively small proportion of the population, though diagnosis rates are rising in India

Contagious

Causes of Ulcerative Colitis

Believed to result from an abnormal immune response that mistakenly attacks the lining of the colon, triggered by a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and alterations in gut bacteria. Family history increases risk, and the condition is more commonly diagnosed in younger adults, though it can occur at any age. The exact trigger for the abnormal immune response remains unclear, and while diet and stress do not cause the disease, they can worsen symptoms during flares.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Persistent diarrhoea often with blood or mucus, abdominal pain and cramping, urgent need to pass stool, rectal bleeding, fatigue, unintended weight loss, fever during flares, joint pain in some cases

Treatment & Types of Ulcerative Colitis in ESI, Delhi

Treatment aims to induce and maintain remission using anti-inflammatory medications such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids for flares, and immunosuppressive or biologic therapies for more severe or refractory disease. Regular colonoscopy monitoring is recommended to screen for colon cancer given the increased long-term risk with extensive disease. Surgery to remove the colon may be necessary for severe disease unresponsive to medication or for complications such as significant bleeding or perforation.

Ulcerative colitis is classified by the extent of colon involvement: ulcerative proctitis, limited to the rectum; left-sided colitis, extending from the rectum to the descending colon; and extensive colitis (pancolitis), involving most or all of the colon, with more extensive disease generally carrying a higher long-term risk of complications including colon cancer. It is also staged by activity as being in remission, with minimal or no symptoms, or experiencing a flare, with active inflammation and symptoms, further graded as mild, moderate, or severe based on symptom intensity and lab findings.

Gastroenterology Specialists in ESI, Delhi (0)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ulcerative colitis the same as Crohn's disease?

No, though both are inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis typically begins in the rectum and extends continuously to involve part or all of the colon, while Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract in a patchy, non-continuous distribution. This distinction affects both treatment choices and the specific complications each condition can cause.

Can ulcerative colitis be cured?

There is no permanent cure through medication alone, though many patients achieve long periods of symptom control with appropriate treatment, and surgical removal of the colon, while a bigger step, can be curative for severe or medication-resistant disease. Most people manage the condition successfully long-term without needing surgery.

Does ulcerative colitis increase cancer risk?

Yes, severe or poorly controlled disease increases the long-term risk of colon cancer, particularly with more extensive colon involvement, which is why regular colonoscopy monitoring is recommended to screen for early changes. This screening becomes more frequent the longer someone has had extensive disease.

What triggers a flare of ulcerative colitis?

While diet and stress do not cause the underlying disease, they can worsen symptoms during a flare, and identifying personal dietary triggers alongside adhering closely to prescribed maintenance medication helps reduce how often flares occur. Not smoking and managing stress are also part of a comprehensive approach to reducing flare frequency.

When is surgery needed for ulcerative colitis?

Surgery to remove the colon may be necessary for severe disease unresponsive to medication or for complications such as significant bleeding or perforation, offering a more definitive solution when medical management isn't controlling the disease adequately. This decision is made collaboratively between the patient and a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon based on disease severity and response to treatment.

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