IBD: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two main types: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Let’s talk about ulcerative colitis.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a non-infective inflammatory condition which affects the last part of the gastrointestinal tract, the large bowel which is also called the colon. Unlike Crohn’s disease, the inflammation is continuous and it only affects one area of the gut.
The gut wall is composed of several layers. From the central, hollow tube (the lumen) outwards, the layers are: mucosa; submucosa; muscularis and serosa. Ulcerative colitis only affects the innermost layer of the gut – the mucosa.
Disease Extent
The disease always starts in the bottom of the colon, the rectum. It can then spread upwards. Some people only have disease in the rectum, this is called proctitis. If the disease is a little more extensive, and affects the side of the colon on the left side of the body, this is called left sided colitis. If it is more extensive still, and affects the transverse colon or goes all the way round to the right side (beginning) of the colon, it is called pan-colitis (which means it is affecting the whole large bowel).
Symptoms
Ulcerative colitis suffers frequently experience the following signs and symptoms when the disease is active:
Ulcerative Colitis is also associated with symptoms that are not related to the gut, including:
Causes and exacerbating factors
The immune system is the body’s defence system: it works to eliminate foreign invaders such as bacteria, fungi and viruses that cause illness. Sometimes, however, the immune system develops a fault and mistakes the body’s own tissue and bacteria as being foreign. There are currently two main theories relating to the cause of ulcerative colitis, although no-one really understands what the underlying problem is:
Genetics also play a role in who will get IBD. For example 25% of IBD suffers have a family history of the condition. Additionally, IBD is more common in certain ethnic groups such as Mexican Americans and South Asians.
A number of environmental factors have been proposed although there is little evidence to support these. Interestingly, smoking is associated with a lower risk of ulcerative colitis. However, smoking is absolutely NOT recommended to ulcerative colitis suffers due to the wide-range of health issues associated with it.
Diagnosis
As with any medical assessment, the diagnosis pathway begins with your doctor taking a basic medical history. This involves them asking you a few questions, and perhaps performing a few physical examinations. If they are concerned that you have ulcerative colitis, they will refer you to a specialist. You may be offered a colonoscopy so they can have a look at the lining of your gut wall. They may also take a sample of tissue from your gut wall so it can be analysed by specialists – this is called a biopsy
Treatment
A variety of different treatment options are offered to individuals with ulcerative colitis.
If you are worried that you have inflammatory bowel disease, or any other gastrointestinal condition, why not contact the London Gastroenterology centre. Our doctors are experts and will be happy to help you! Call us now to book an appointment on 020 7183 7965.