Ulcerative Colitis in Utah

While the specific cause of ulcerative colitis is not known at this point, researchers have identified a few variables that seem to be linked to the condition and its symptoms:

• Genetics: One can inherit genetic material from one's parents which elevates their risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
• Immune system: It is presumed that viruses or internal bacteria may initiate the occurrence of ulcerative colitis. Anytime a virus or bacteria enters the digestive tract, the body calls upon your immune system to engage the virus or bacteria. When this takes place, the body deploys white blood cells to the colon, where they then attack non-problematic cells and tissue. As a result, your colon (or large intestine) is then inflamed.



What are the risk factors for ulcerative colitis?

There are a few other complicating factors that may increase your chances of experiencing ulcerative colitis, including:

• Ethnicity or race: People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and Caucasians are at an elevated risk of suffering from ulcerative colitis, nonetheless, it may affect any ethnicity.
• Age: Ulcerative colitis most often develops prior to the age of 30.
• Family history: If a relative has ulcerative colitis, you have a higher likelihood of suffering from this disease.

 

What are some typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can range from mild to severe and will often develop over time. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis typically include:

• Mouth sores
• Pain in the abdomen
• Bloody diarrhea with pus
• Fever
• Rectal pain
• Constipation
• Sudden weight loss
• Normal menstrual cycle disruption
• Cramps in the stomach
• Drainage or pain around or near the anus
• Bloody stool

If you ever become aware of blood in your stool, we implore you to reach out to your doctor or another specialist in Utah without delay. A gastroenterologist should be seen should you experience any of the above-listed symptoms or any combination of symptoms on a recurring basis. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Utah Gastroenterology are here to offer you specialized care for ulcerative colitis and can assist in the treatment and management of these concerns

At Utah Gastroenterology, our providers treat ulcerative colitis with two primary goals: alleviate the underlying inflammation and then put the disease into remission. Subsequent treatment includes screening for cancer, as having ulcerative colitis positions you at an elevated risk for later suffering from colon cancer. The main categories of ulcerative colitis treatments are as follows:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may help eliminate bacteria known to cause the excessive immune system reaction that is the cause of the swelling. These are not a primary form of treatment but can be utilized in collaboration with other therapies.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Anti-inflammatory medications utilized to treat ulcerative colitis are oral 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. Corticosteroids assist in the reduction of inflammation in the body and can be given in conjunction with immune system suppressors. Oral 5-aminosalicylates are also useful in the reduction of inflammation in your body.

Additional supplements and medications might be suggested to help ulcerative colitis symptoms. These may include:

• Iron supplements
• Anti-diarrheals
• Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
• Vitamin B-12 shots

Long-term anti-inflammatory therapies: This type of therapy addresses the body's atypical immune reaction to bacteria and viruses. The immunosuppressant medications your Utah gastroenterologist could prescribe include:

• Tofacitinib
• Methotrexate
• Natalizumab
• Azathioprine
• Vedolizumab
• Certolizumab
• Ustekinumab
• Infliximab
• Adalimumab

Nutrition and diet: Your GI practitioner may recommend a special food plan to help reduce symptoms and aid in inducing remission.

Surgery: In extreme circumstances, surgery may be required to remove a piece of, or the entire, colon or rectum.