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Introduction
Ulcerative Colitis
is an inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation and ulceration
of inner lining of the colon and rectum. The inflammation usually
begins in the rectum and sigmoid colon and spread upward to the entire
colon. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine. It occurs
at the rate of approximately five cases per 100,000 people. The disease
pattern is one of the remission and exacerbation. It can occur at
any age but its onset is most common among people between ages of
15 - 40. Ulcerative colitis affects male and females equally and appears
to run in some families.
What Causes Ulcerative Colitis ?
The exact cause of Ulcerative is not known. Autoimmune factors,
food allergies, collagen disorders, genetic factors, infection and
psychogenesis have all been suggested. One or some combination of
these factors thought to trigger the inflammatory process. The theory
of the involvement of the immune mechanism has been widely accepted
because of concept that therapeutic agents like Corticosteroids
and Azothiaprine exert their effect via the immuno suppressive mechanism.
The psychological factors of feelings like anger and anxiety of
the degree of depression experienced by a sufferer are also important
in modifying the course of the disease.
How
Ulcerative Colitis Affects The Intestines ?
In Ulcerative Colitis, inflammation is triggered by some unknown
elements. Hyperemia and swelling occur as part of the vascular response.
The swollen, engorged bowel is fragile and is therefore inclined
to ulcerate , thus creating a break in the mucosal barrier. Digestive
enzymes and intestinal bacteria act upon this exposed tissue, causing
further irritation, inflammation, ulceration and bleeding.
What
are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are frequent loose stools with passage
of blood and mucous. Patient may complain of abdominal pain, fatigue,
loss of weight, loss of body fluids and nutrients. Some patients
also have skin lesions, Joint pain , Inflammation of eyes and liver
disorders.
How
to Diagnose Ulcerative Colitis ?
After careful history taking and physical examination, patients
are subjected to sigmoidoscopic and colonoscopic examination. The
rectum and colon are seen through a flexible optical / camera tube
which is inserted through anus. During this examination a sample
of tissue from the lining of the colon is taken to observe under
a microscope. This is called a histopathological examination. A
barium enema is helpful in determining the nature and the extent
of the disease in patients.
Risk
of Colon Cancer
There is strong correlation between Ulcerative Colitis and Colorectal
cancer. The risk of colon cancer begins to increase after someone
has had Ulcerative Colitis for approximately ten years or whose
entire colon is affected. The risk increases by ten percent for
each decade it is suffered. However if only the rectum and lower
colon is involved, the risk of cancer is not high. Someone who has
had a diagnose of Ulcerative Colitis for longer than five to ten
years should undergo a complete colonoscopy atleast every two years.
The key to cancer therapy is early detection and early treatment.
Ayurvedic
view
Ayurveda is an oldest holistic healthcare system in the world. According
to Ayurvedic theory everything within the universe, including ourselves,
is composed of five elements called panchamahabhutas - the five
basic eternal substances known as akasha (space), vayu (air), agni
(fire), jala (water) and prthvi (earth).These elements combine together
to form three types of bio-energies called as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ayurvedic philosophy says that every individual person has a unique
constitution that is related to bio-energies within the body. Saint
Sushruta mentioned in Sushruta Samhita about 3000 years ago that
Pitta type people are more prone to Ulcerative Colitis.
Pitta type people are usually of medium height and build with soft,
fair skin, light brown or reddish hair; small yellowish teeth; a
medium-sized mouth; and penetrating pink and gray or yellowish eyes.
Pittas speak clearly, but often sharply. They enjoy light but uninterrupted
sleep. Pittas are intelligent, but often aggressive, have a good
clear memory, and can be fanatic in their beliefs. Pittas tend to
be jealous, aggressive and easily irritated. Pittas tend to be emotionally
intense.
Causes
of Ulcerative Colitis according to Ayurveda
All the factors that imbalance ‘Pitta’ bio-energy are
also responsible for developing Ulcerative Colitis. These include
indulgence in too many arguments, eating while watching TV or walking,
watching too many violent movies, excessive heat or exposure of
the sun, excessive alcohol and smoking, excessive mental activity,
skipping meals, spicy, sour or stale and infected foods etc. In
Pitta constitution persons, Pitta gets aggravated very quickly with
the above factors and patient develop diarrhea followed by bloody
diarrhea.
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