About Ulcerative Colitis:

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.

Q.1 What causes ulcerative colitis, Q.2 What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis Q.3 How is ulcerative colitis diagnosed Q.4 What is the treatment for ulcerative colitis

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.