Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease. It causes irritation,
inflammation, and ulcers in the lining of your large intestine (also called your colon). There’s no cure, and people
usually have symptoms off and on for life. But the right treatments can help you keep a handle on the disease. Ulcerative colitis happens when your immune system makes a mistake. Normally, it attacks invaders in your body, like the
common cold. But when you have UC, your immune system thinks food, good gut bacteria, and the cells that line your colon are the intruders. White
blood cells that usually protect you attack the lining of your colon instead. They cause the inflammation and ulcers. Doctors aren’t sure why people get the condition. Your genes may play a role; the disease sometimes runs in families. Other things in the
world around you may make a difference, too. Things that can affect your risk of getting ulcerative colitis include: Food and stress don’t cause it, but they can trigger a flare of symptoms. The type of ulcerative colitis you have depends on where it is in your body: The
main symptom of ulcerative colitis is bloody diarrhea. There might be some pus in your stools, too. Other problems include: Your symptoms can flare up, go away, and come back. You might not have any for weeks or years. Other gut diseases can have some of the same symptoms.
Ulcerative Colitis DiagnosisYour doctor will use tests to tell if you have UC instead of another gut disease.
Ulcerative Colitis TreatmentUC treatment has two main goals. The first is to make you feel better and give your colon a chance to heal. The second is to prevent more flare-ups. You may need a combination of diet changes, medication, or surgery to reach those goals.
Complications of ulcerative colitis can include:
Ulcerative Colitis Questions to Ask Your DoctorWhether you’re worried your symptoms are UC, or you already have the condition and want more information, here are questions to ask your doctor:
Ulcerative Colitis PrognosisFor most people, ulcerative colitis is a chronic, or long-term, condition. You’ll have flares and periods with no symptoms at all (your doctor will call this remission). A small number of people have one attack and are never troubled again. A few people, about 10% of those with UC, have their first attack and quickly get worse, with serious complications. In many people, the disease spreads to the large intestine over time. This can turn into colon cancer, but about half the people who get it survive if doctors catch the disease early enough and remove their colon. Which goal of the clients care should take priority during the first days of hospitalization?The hospital's first priority is acute medical care; patients come to the hospital because they are ill and their primary purpose is to receive treatment for their illness. The goal of patient safety practices like fall prevention is to prevent additional harm to patients while they are hospitalized.
Which goal for a client's care with ulcerative colitis should take priority during the first days of the hospitalization?The primary goals during hospitalization are to comprehensively assess disease activity, monitor for complications, and apply medical treatments and/or surgery to improve the patient's symptoms.
What is the first treatment for ulcerative colitis?Aminosalicylates. Aminosalicylates, also known as 5-ASAs, are medicines that help to reduce inflammation. This in turn allows damaged tissue to heal. They're usually the first treatment option for mild or moderate ulcerative colitis.
What are the goals of treatment with inflammatory bowel disease?The goal of inflammatory bowel disease treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers your signs and symptoms. In the best cases, this may lead not only to symptom relief but also to long-term remission and reduced risks of complications. IBD treatment usually involves either drug therapy or surgery.
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