Colitis Explained
There are a diverse range of diseases that affect various areas
of the digestive tract. Many of these conditions, grouped in the
category of irritable bowel disease (IBD), are indistinguishable
from other similar diseases like Crohn?s Disease and Irritable
Bowl Syndrome, thus, diagnosis is often a complicated and must
adopt a trial-and-error approach.
Colitis is a disease that results in the inflammation of the
lining of the large intestine, or colon. Researchers have
estimated that as many as two million people in the United
States may suffer from colitis, many of them undiagnosed. The
majority of cases manifest rather early in life ? before the
age of thirty ? although it is not uncommon for people of any
age to develop the disease. Research on colitis has revealed
that prevalence is not affected by gender.
The disease can either be acute or chronic and results in
ulcers being formed in the upper membrane layers of the colon.
Colitis, like other forms of IBD, wreaks havoc on the digestive
tract. When the colon becomes inflamed many of the cells die and
this tissue death spurs the production of ulcers. Ulcers may
bleed and generate pus leading to severe abdominal cramping,
diarrhea, painful abdominal sensations, reduced appetite,
infections, fatigue, weight loss, and fever.
As is the case with other forms of IBD, the causes of colitis
are shrouded in mystery. There are a number of competing
theories as to the cause, but none have been proven as of yet.
Since colitis is believed to be spurred through inflammation,
many scientists point to infection as the leading cause. There
is also some evidence that genetics and family connection plays
a part. There is also research into colitis as potentially being
related to an autoimmune response by the body. It appears that
colitis may be triggered by the body attacking itself. Various
bacterial, viral, and protozoan infections have also been
bandied about as possible triggers of colitis. According to
research, smokers are twice as likely to develop colitis then
are non-smokers.
If left untreated, colitis can lead to severe medical problems.
As stated previously, the diagnosis of colitis can be tricky
since many forms of IBD may appear similar upon cursory
examination. It can take some time to achieve an accurate
diagnosis. Fortunately, even though the causes of colitis are
not fully understood, there are treatments available for the
disease. Treatment often varies due to the severity of the
flare up. Colitis, like other forms of IBD, is usually treated
via prescription drugs. In advanced cases, surgery to remove
the colon may be required, and as of this time is the only
cure.
It is important to remember that colitis is a disease that will
affect each person differently. There is no standard procedure
that can be followed for every case. Furthermore, the
psychological ramifications from the disease cannot be ignored.
Many people experience depression due to the impact of physical
symptoms on quality of life. If you are suffering from colitis
it is important to schedule regular medical visits to monitor
the disease.
About The Author: Sharon Dobson has an interest in Crohn’s
Disease topics. For further information on Crohn’s Disease
please visit
http://www.natural-crohns-disease-relief.com/crohnsdisease.html
or
http://www.natural-crohns-disease-relief.com/blog/2006/08/11/colitis-explained/
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=76674