Ulcerative colitis Health Dictionary

Ulcerative Colitis: From 3 Different Sources


Chronic inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the colon and rectum, or, especially at the start of the condition, of the rectum alone. The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, but the condition is most common in young and middle-aged adults.

The main symptom of ulcerative colitis is bloody diarrhoea; and the faeces may also contain mucus. In severe cases, the diarrhoea and bleeding are extensive, and there may be abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, and general malaise. The incidence of attacks varies considerably. Most commonly, the attacks occur at intervals of a few months. However, in some cases, there may be only a single episode.

Ulcerative colitis may lead to anaemia, caused by blood loss. Other complications include a toxic form of megacolon, which may become life-threatening; rashes; aphthous ulcers; arthritis; conjunctivitis; or uveitis. There is also an increased risk of cancer of the colon developing (see colon, cancer of).

A diagnosis is based on examination of the rectum and lower colon (see sigmoidoscopy) or the entire colon (see colonoscopy), or is made by a barium enema (see barium X-ray examination). During sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, a biopsy may be performed. Samples of faeces may be taken for laboratory analysis in order to exclude the possibility of infection by bacteria or parasites. Blood tests may also be needed.

Medical treatments of ulcerative colitis include corticosteroid drugs and sulfasalazine and its derivatives. Colectomy may be required for a severe attack that fails to respond to other treatments, or to avoid colonic cancer in those people who are at high risk.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Chronic in?ammation of the lining of the COLON and RECTUM. The disease affects around 50 people per 100,000; it is predominantly a disease of young and middle-aged adults.

Symptoms The onset may be sudden or insidious. In the acute form there is severe diarrhoea and the patient may pass up to 20 stools a day. The stools, which may be small in quantity, are ?uid and contain blood, pus and mucus. There is always fever, which runs an irregular course. In other cases the patient ?rst notices some irregularity of the movement of the bowels, with the passage of blood. This becomes gradually more marked. There may be pain but usually a varying amount of abdominal discomfort. The constant diarrhoea leads to emaciation, weakness and ANAEMIA. As a rule the acute phase passes into a chronic stage. The chronic form is liable to run a prolonged course, and most patients suffer relapses for many years. SIGMOIDOSCOPY, BIOPSY and abdominal X-RAYS are essential diagnostic procedures.

Treatment Many patients may be undernourished and need expert dietary assessment and appropriate calorie, protein, vitamin and mineral supplements. This is particularly important in children with the disorder. While speci?c nutritional treatment can initiate improvement in CROHN’S DISEASE, this is not the case with ulcerative colitis. CORTICOSTEROIDS, given by mouth or ENEMA, help to control the diarrhoea. Intravenous nutrition may be required. The anaemia is treated with iron supplements, and with blood infusions if necessary. Blood cultures should be taken, repeatedly if the fever persists. If SEPTICAEMIA is suspected, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given. Surgery to remove part of the affected colon may be necessary and an ILEOSTOMY is sometimes required. After recovery, the patient should remain on a low-residue diet, with regular follow-up by the physician, Mesalazine and SULFASALAZINE are helpful in the prevention of recurrences.

Patients and their relatives can obtain help and advice from the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
inflammation and ulceration of the colon, initially starting in the rectum (see proctitis) but ascending to include a part or the whole of the colon (see colitis). Its cause is unknown. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding. Acute severe colitis requires urgent in-patient admission for intravenous steroids. Patients who fail to respond to these should be treated with second-line agents (such as infliximab or ciclosporin) or by surgical colectomy.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon... colitis

Mucous Colitis

A form of colitis that is less inflammatory and closer in nature, if not identical with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, with cramps, intestinal guarding followed by soft or hard stools and various amounts of mucus. There are usually periods of constipation... mucous colitis

Tea For Ulcerative Colitis

Colitis is an affection of your larger bowel. When the problem gets worse, blood could appear, turning your problem into ulcerative colitis. This affection causes poor water absorption and it makes it harder for the nutrients and enzymes in both food and drink to be processed. Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune disease, but is usually linked to poor dieting and stress (an unbalanced nutrition and diet pills could trigger this disease faster). How a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis Works A Tea for Ulcerative Colitis’ main purpose is to make sure that your body increases the immunoglobulin level and directs all antibodies to the affected areas. In order to function properly, a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis needs to contain an important quantity of nutrients, enzymes, volatile oils and minerals (such as sodium, iron, magnesium and manganese) and be very low on acids (since they could induce irritable bowel and upset stomach). Efficient Tea for Ulcerative Colitis If you don’t know which teas could be effective for your condition, here’s a list to choose from: - Licorice Tea – has important health benefits, being able to treat not just Ulcerative Colitis, but many other disorders, such as upset stomach, irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis. However, this tea is not very safe so you need to talk to your doctor before starting a treatment based on Licorice Tea. Drinking less than 3 cups per day will give you an energy boost and restore your general well-being. - Wormwood Tea – is well known around the world thanks to its ability to treat infections and flush parasites out of your system. Other than ulcerative colitis, this decoction can be useful in case of Candida. Take a sip of this Tea for Ulcerative Colitis at every 5 minutes for about an hour every day (for a short period of time: 3-7 days) and enjoy its great benefits! - Chamomile Tea – has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic problems and it’s good for almost any health problem, from sore throats to colds and flu. Some specialists even say that Chamomile Tea has proven its efficiency in many cancer cases. If that is the case or not, the important thing is that this Tea for Ulcerative Colitis will calm your pain and energize your body. Tea for Ulcerative Colitis Side Effects When taken properly, these teas are generally safe. However, exceeding the number of cups recommended per day can lead to a number of problems, from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting to gastritis and ulcers. If you’ve been taking one of these teas for a while and you’re experiencing some unusual symptoms, ask for medical assistance as soon as possible!Don’t take a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood thinners or anticoagulants. The same advice if you’re preparing for a surgery. If you have your doctor’s approval and there’s nothing that could interfere with your treatment, choose a Tea for Ulcerative Colitis that fits best your needs and enjoy its great benefits!... tea for ulcerative colitis

Gingivitis, Acute Ulcerative

Painful infection and ulceration of the gums due to abnormal growth of bacteria that usually exist harmlessly in small numbers in gum crevices. Predisposing factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, throat infections, and emotional stress. In many cases the disorder is preceded by gingivitis or periodontitis. The condition is uncommon, primarily affecting people aged 15–35.

The gums become sore and bleed at the slightest pressure. Crater-like ulcers develop on the gum tips between teeth, and there may be a foul taste in the mouth, bad breath, and swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes, the infection spreads to the lips and cheek lining (see noma).

A hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can relieve the inflammation.

Scaling is then performed to remove plaque.

In severe cases, the antibacterial drug metronidazole may be given to control infection.... gingivitis, acute ulcerative

Pseudomembranous Colitis

see Clostridium; pseudomembrane.... pseudomembranous colitis

Ulcerative Gingivitis

acute painful gingivitis with ulceration, in which the tissues of the gums are rapidly destroyed. Occurring mainly in debilitated patients, it is associated with anaerobic microorganisms (see Fusobacterium; Bacteroides) and is accompanied by an unpleasant odour. Treatment is with *metronidazole and a careful and thorough regime of oral hygiene supplemented with oxidizing mouthwashes. In the past ulcerative gingivitis has been called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), Vincent stomatitis, or Vincent’s angina. A rare complication of severe ulcerative gingivitis is a *noma.... ulcerative gingivitis



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