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Ulcerative colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and can begin in the rectum and then extend to the other portions of the intestine.
This disease is characterized by the presence of several ulcers in the intestinal wall, which are wounds that can appear along the path of the intestines, in isolated parts or in the final part of the intestine. Due to the presence of ulcers, ulcerative colitis can be quite uncomfortable, interfering with the person's quality of life.
Ulcerative colitis has no cure, however it is possible to relieve symptoms and prevent the formation of new ulcers through a healthy and balanced diet according to the nutritionist's guidance, with the consumption of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole Foods.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis usually appear in crises and are related to the presence of ulcers in the intestine, the main ones being:
- Abdominal pain;
- Stools with mucus or blood;
- Fever;
- Urgency to defecate;
- Tiredness;
- Pain and bleeding in the rectum;
- Abdominal sounds;
- Slimming;
- Diarrhea.
It is important that the person with the symptoms of ulcerative colitis consult the gastroenterologist so that the diagnosis is made and, thus, the most suitable treatment is indicated. The diagnosis is usually made through the assessment of symptoms presented by the person and imaging tests that evaluate the large intestine such as colonoscopy, rectosigmoidoscopy and computed tomography of the abdomen, for example.
In addition, the doctor may recommend performing blood and stool tests to confirm that the symptoms are related to colitis and not intestinal infections, and are also indicated to assess the extent of inflammation and signs of complications such as bleeding and iron deficiency anemia.
Possible causes
The causes of ulcerative colitis are still not very clear, however it is believed that it may be related to some dysregulation of the immune system, in which the cells responsible for the defense of the organism attack the cells of the intestine.
Although the causes are not yet fully defined, the risk of developing ulcerative colitis is greater in people between 15 and 30 years old and over 50 years old. In addition, a diet rich in fat and fried foods, for example, can also favor the worsening of ulcers and the appearance of symptoms.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms, and the use of medications such as Sulfasalazine and Corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation, in addition to immunosuppressants that act directly on the immune system, relieving inflammation, may be indicated by the gastroenterologist.
In addition, drugs to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide, for example, dietary supplements with iron, painkillers such as paracetamol, may also be used, and sometimes it may be necessary to perform surgery to remove part of the intestine.
It is also important to pay attention to food to avoid worsening symptoms, being indicated by the nutritionist to increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber, in addition to vegetables. Check out how to feed for colitis.