Ulcerative Colitis in Texas

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still not known. However, there are some factors that may predict the presentation of ulcerative colitis and its related symptoms.

• Genetics: Your parents may pass genes down to you that heighten the risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
• Immune system: It is believed that viruses or internal bacteria may initiate the onset of ulcerative colitis. When a virus or bacteria becomes present in your digestive tract, your body enlists your immune system to fight the intruder. Anytime this takes place, the body releases white blood cells to the colon that end up attacking healthy cells and tissue. Due to this, your colon or large intestine becomes inflamed.

Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis

A portion of the complicating factors related to ulcerative colitis may include:

• Age: Ulcerative colitis most often presents by age 30.
• Ethnicity or race: Caucasians and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have an increased chance of suffering from ulcerative colitis, but it can impact any race.
• Family history: If a family member lives with ulcerative colitis, you have a greater likelihood of developing the disease.

What are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

The majority of symptoms frequently experienced with ulcerative colitis develop slowly, and they range from moderate to overwhelming discomfort. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis commonly include:

• Normal menstrual cycle disruption
• Diarrhea with pus or blood
• Constipation
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Pain or drainage around or near the anus
• Sudden loss of weight
• Pain in the rectum
• Stomach cramps
• Sores in the mouth
• Abdominal pain

Should you ever see bloody stool, we urge you to contact your GI provider in Texas as soon as possible, particularly if you become aware of any of the above symptoms or any combination of symptoms on a persistent basis. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants offer experienced care for ulcerative colitis and can help treat and manage these problems.

The primary intentions of ulcerative colitis treatments at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants are to control the inflammation that causes the symptoms and subsequently enter into remission of the disease. Further treatment will include regular cancer screenings, as ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for developing colon cancer. The main categories of ulcerative colitis treatments are listed below:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may assist in the destruction of bacteria associated with causing the abnormal immune system reflex that creates swelling. These are not a mainstay of therapy but may be utilized in collaboration with alternate therapies.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis are corticosteroids and oral 5-aminosalicylates. Corticosteroids help decrease swelling in the body and can be prescribed along with immune system suppressors. Oral 5-aminosalicylates can also work to reduce swelling in the body.

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

• Anti-diarrheals
• Shots of vitamin B-12
• Iron supplements
• Vitamin D and calcium supplements

Long-term anti-inflammatory therapies: These treatments address the body’s abnormal immune response to bacteria and viruses. The immunosuppressant medications your Texas gastroenterologist might prescribe include:

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

Nutrition and diet: Your provider may suggest a unique nutrition plan to help relieve symptoms and aid in inducing remission.

Surgery: In extreme circumstances, surgical intervention may be needed to excise a portion of, or the entire, colon or rectum.