Treatment

For the treatment of ulcerative colitis used medicines and surgical techniques. The latter is usually used in acute inflammation and life-threatening complications.

Exacerbations in patients with ulcerative colitis are followed by periods of remission, which lasts from several months to several years. During exacerbations enhanced abdominal pain, bleeding and diarrhea. Remission usually occurs after the treatment, but sometimes it happens spontaneously.

Ulcerative colitis can not be completely cured with medicines.

The objectives of medical treatment:

• Calling remission
• Save remission
• To minimize side effects of treatment
• To improve the quality of life
• To reduce the risk of cancer

During treatment using anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators Immunomodulators: a contract with the protective forces of the body . Among the anti-inflammatory medications are used most frequently:

• Point 5-ASA compounds such as sulfasalazine, olsalazine and mesalamine that nabolee effective in direct contact with tissue inflammation
• Systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids can reduce inflammation without direct contact with affected areas

Immunomodulators - a medication that suppresses the immune system The immune system - how it works?   body by reducing the amount of immune cells or inhibiting production of proteins involved in inflammatory processes. These drugs are often used in acute forms of ulcerative colitis when the patient does not help other medicines.

5-ASA compounds

The chemical composition of 5-aminosalicylic acid is similar to aspirin. However, acetylsalicylic acid, which, for many years is used in medicine, is not suitable for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Compounds 5-aminosalicylic acid, in contrast, can be very effective in treating the disease if applied dot, i.e. directly on the affected areas.

Azulfidine

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) for many years been successfully used to induce remission in patients with mild to moderate forms of ulcerative colitis. Call remission means to reduce intestinal inflammation and relieving the symptoms of the disease. Sulfasalazine is also used in long-term therapy for preservation of remission.

The efficiency depends on the dosage of sulfasalazine - in particular, to induce remission, requires a fairly large dose. In some patients, larger doses cause severe diarrhea. Sometimes this effect is not so much if you take drugs with food; enteric capsule is also usually does not cause stomach upset.

Asacol

Tablets consist of Asacol mesalamine and acrylic shell. The shell does not allow 5-aminosalicylic acid to dissolve before it reaches the small intestine. When the tablet reaches the ileum and colon, the shell dissolves and 5-ASA into the intestine.

Asacol cause remission in patients with mild or moderate symptoms of ulcerative colitis. It is also used for maintenance of remission. The recommended dose for induction of remission Asacol - 2 tablets at 400 mg three times a day. For maintenance of remission should be taken on the same two tablets twice daily. In some cases, the recommended dose may be higher.

Among the other 5-ASA compounds used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis:   Lialda, Apriso, Pentasa and other drugs.

The side effects of 5-ASA compounds

In general, it is quite safe medicines, but they should avoid those who are allergic to aspirin.

In rare cases, these drugs can cause inflammation of the kidneys Inflammation of the kidney - do not suffer pain ; patients who already have kidney disease, you need to take these medications with extreme care. Before treatment, it is recommended to check the function of the kidneys.

There are cases where these drugs cause side effects such as very severe diarrhea, cramping and abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms , Fever, skin rashes and severe weakness. It is believed that this reaction is caused by an allergy to 5-ASA compounds.

Systemic corticosteroids

If corticosteroid treatment does not require direct contact with the affected tissue medications. Oral corticosteroids have effective anti-inflammatory action. In critical cases, corticosteroids may be administered intravenously.

They are faster than 5-ASA compounds. Most patients feel relief within a few days after the start of treatment, but corticosteroids are not suitable for the maintenance of remission.

Diet and nutrition in ulcerative colitis

If you have ulcerative colitis, you probably know which foods are triggers its symptoms. You can markedly reduce the symptoms if you exclude these foods from the diet. In addition, recent studies have shown that some products may even reduce the inflammation in the gut.

What food is useful for ulcerative colitis?

The diet for ulcerative colitis should be rich in proteins, complex carbohydrates, whole grain foods and healthy fats. Such a diet will provide you with the necessary energy and will maintain good health. It is necessary to eat meat, fish and dairy products (unless you have lactose intolerance), bread, fruits and vegetables; it is not necessary to avoid the oil, especially vegetable.

Vegetarians can get the necessary nutrients from dairy and plant foods such as soy and legumes.

What foods should be avoided in ulcerative colitis?

Experts say that the food is not the main catalyst for inflammation, but some products may make them more intense. In some people, diarrhea and abdominal cramps amplify after caffeine, other same occurs because of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating foods with a low glycemic index also helps control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Most often cause exacerbation of symptoms following products:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Fizzy drinks
• Dairy products (lactose intolerance)
• Dry beans
• Dried fruits
• Products containing sulfur or sulfate
• Tabasco
• Flesh
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Products with sorbitol (gum and sweets without sugar)
• Raw vegetables
• Refined sugar
• Different seeds

To understand which foods worsen your condition, it is advisable to keep a diary food. Carry a small notebook, and as soon as after the use of any product you feel worse, write down the name of "suspects". If the same product several times will cause a worsening of symptoms, perhaps you should give it or restrict its consumption. This allows you to control their condition; You will be easier to lead an active life, sports and meet friends if you get rid of the fear that an attack of diarrhea catches you by surprise.

What else you need to know about nutrition in ulcerative colitis?

Patients with ulcerative colitis often lose weight. In many patients there is a serious lack of nutrients. Long bouts of diarrhea can lead to malnutrition, anemia and a significant decline forces. Because of this, there are various health problems, including serious. Therefore, we must carefully monitor the general health, undergo regular examinations and take nutritional supplements Food additives - basic classification . Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that you need to do to alleviate their symptoms.

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis - an inflammatory bowel disease Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Sometimes very painful. Its symptoms are very unpleasant, and in severe cases can seriously impair the quality of life.

• Chronic diarrhea. Inflammation causes the cells to the affected areas to produce a lot of salts and liquids. The walls of the large intestine can not absorb an amount of liquid - violated its functioning and develops diarrhea.
• Pain and abdominal cramps. The walls of the bowel become inflamed, swollen and sometimes sealed because of scar tissue. This blocks the movement of feces through the digestive tract and can cause pain, cramps and / or vomiting.
• Bloody stools. The movement of food through the digestive Trakai may lead to the fact that the inflamed areas are starting to bleed. Bleeding can occur on its own. Sometimes the patient notices the blood on the toilet paper, and in some cases bleeding there are no external signs.
• Weakness. Blood loss can cause anemia Anemia - when you do not have enough blood   and the patient will continue to feel very tired. When inflammation is also difficult absorption of nutrients needed to maintain energy and recuperation.
• Poor appetite. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis - nausea, abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms   and diarrhea can significantly reduce the patient's appetite. Because of this, unfortunately, even more evident weakness.
• The reduction in weight. This may be caused by lack of appetite, and that ulcerative colitis is a violation of the body's ability to digest food properly.
• Heat. This symptom is acute inflammatory bowel disease and is often associated with significant worsening of other symptoms.