Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a form of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract (Large intestine/colon), is characterized by severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis generally affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn’s colitis. In this disease the patches occurs anywhere in the digestive tract and often spreads into the layers of affected tissues.
Causes of Ulcerative colitis
Till date, no such known cause for ulcerative colitis has been depicted. Because of this reason ulcerative colitis is said to be an idiopathic disease, meaning that it develops without an apparent or known cause. Ulcerative colitis is caused by inflammation and ulcers in the lining of your large intestine and rectum. An individual gets diarrhea because of the inflammation in the colon. The inflamed colon cannot absorb the water. Sometimes ulcerative colitis affects the rectum and may lead to rectal bleeding.
The two factors which seems to be behind the cause of ulcerative colitis are
1. Weakened/compromised immune response
2. Heredity
Weakened/compromised immune response
The healthy intestine is having the micro flora which fights against foreign bacteria which tries to invade and cause disease. The person having weak immune system cannot fight against the antigens and hence causes damage to the colon. The colon get inflamed which gradually damages the cells and the immunological activity deteriorates day by day.
The antibody formation decreases, so they have low immunity because of which they more prone to any of the infections. Many experts suppose that disease flare-ups are caused when immune system cells release excess amounts of molecules called cytokines, which attack the intestinal cells and cause the inflammation.
Heredity is not yet proved to be the cause of ulcerative colitis. If the parents are having then the chances of ulcerative colitis may be there. If both mother and father are having, this does not mean that the child will have ulcerative colitis here also he may or may not suffer.
The actual cause of the disorder remains unknown.
Treatments for ulcerative colitis
• Many drugs are used to treat ulcerative colitis.
Aminosalicylates are anti –inflammatory drug used to treat ulcerative colitis. It is poorly-absorbed by the intestines, thus gives topical relief within the intestine.
Corticosteroids are often used in combination with NSAID’s. Corticosteroids blocks leukocyte adhesion cascade and hence reduces the inflammation.
• Immunosuppressive drugs
Immunosuppresive drugs inhibit the immune system generally. These include the cystostatic drugs that inhibit cell division, including the cloning of white blood cells that is a part of the immune response. Mercaptopurines, Azathioprine, Methotrexate are some of the immunosuppressive drugs.
• Surgery
Ulcerative colitis can generally be cured by surgical removal of the large intestine.
• Alternative treatments
Diet: Diet should be low in fibers. It should contain Eicosapentanoic acid which helps in inhibiting leukotriene activity.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants helps in neutralizing the free radicals. Vitamin A, C, E, Selenium, and Manganese are some of the antioxidants which help in repairing the cells.
Bacterial growth:
Probiotics and Prebiotics can be given to increase the micro flora of large intestine.
Some herbs like Kampo which is used in Japan may also help in treating Ulcerative colitis.