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Ulcerative Coltis

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Facts about Ulcerative Colitis:

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A higher incidence of ulcerative colitis is seen in Whites and people of Jewish descent.

It is found worldwide, but is most common in the United States, England, and northern Europe. It is especially common in people of Jewish descent. Ulcerative colitis is rarely seen in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America, and is rare in the black population. For unknown reasons, an increased frequency of this condition has been recently observed in developing nations.

Sources:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC):
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/
MedicineNet: http://www.medicinenet.com/ulcerative_colitis/article.htm

What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis?

Many theories exist about what causes ulcerative colitis. People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. The body’s immune system is believed to react abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive tract.

Ulcerative colitis is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products, but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people. The stress of living with ulcerative colitis may also contribute to a worsening of symptoms.

Two factors seem to play a role, however:

Weakened immune response - Some evidence also points to flare-ups of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease as being an exaggerated response to seasonal allergies, upper-respiratory infections, or other transient illnesses.

Heredity - Other evidence points to a genetic basis: Populations that bred closely within their communities for many generations, such as Eastern European Jews, have a higher incidence of inflammatory bowel disease than other groups.

Sources:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC):
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/
eHealthMD: http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/ulcerativecolitis/UC_causes.html

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

The immediate symptoms of ulcerative colitis may be the same as those found in a number of other conditions that affect the bowel, such as viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. A complete medical history and a thorough physical examination, along with laboratory and diagnostic tests, are necessary to diagnose ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms vary. They may be mild or very severe. They may come on suddenly or develop gradually. In some people the severity of the symptoms may vary with the season--worse in winter and less in summer.

Three classic symptoms indicate the possibility of inflammatory bowel disease. These symptoms only occur during flare-ups, when the disease is active. However, radiological and laboratory tests continue to show signs of the disease even during times of clinical remission.

The three classic symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

Persistent or recurrent diarrhea (in ulcerative colitis this diarrhea is often bloody or full of mucus)

Abdominal pain (which in ulcerative colitis is often crampy in nature and most intense immediately before a bowel movement)

Fever

Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.

In addition, there may be other signs and symptoms not related to the colon that could indicate ulcerative colitis.

Sources:
WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/colitis-guide/ulcerative-colitis-symptoms
eHealthMD: http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/ulcerativecolitis/UC_symptoms.html

What treatments are available for Ulcerative Colitis?

Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends on the severity of the disease. Each person experiences ulcerative colitis differently, so treatment is adjusted for each individual.

Drug Therapy - The goal of drug therapy is to induce and maintain remission, and to improve the quality of life for people with ulcerative colitis. Several types of drugs are available.

Aminosalicylates, drugs that contain 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA), help control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is a combination of sulfapyridine and 5-ASA.

Corticosteroids such as prednisone, methylprednisone, and hydrocortisone also reduce inflammation.

Immunomodulators such as azathioprine and 6-mercapto-purine (6-MP) reduce inflammation by affecting the immune system.

Other drugs may be given to relax the patient or to relieve pain, diarrhea, or infection.

Some people have remissions—periods when the symptoms go away—that last for months or even years. However, most patients’ symptoms eventually return.

Hospitalization - Occasionally, symptoms are severe enough that a person must be hospitalized. For example, a person may have severe bleeding or severe diarrhea that causes dehydration. In such cases the doctor will try to stop diarrhea and loss of blood, fluids, and mineral salts. The patient may need a special diet, feeding through a vein, medications, or sometimes surgery.

Surgery - About 25 to 40 percent of ulcerative colitis patients must eventually have their colons removed because of massive bleeding, severe illness, rupture of the colon, or risk of cancer. Sometimes the doctor will recommend removing the colon if medical treatment fails or if the side effects of corticosteroids or other drugs threaten the patient’s health.

Surgery to remove the colon and rectum, known as proctocolectomy, is followed by one of the following:

Ileostomy, in which the surgeon creates a small opening in the abdomen, called a stoma, and attaches the end of the small intestine, called the ileum, to it. Waste will travel through the small intestine and exit the body through the stoma.

Ileoanal anastomosis, or pull-through operation, which allows the patient to have normal bowel movements because it preserves part of the anus. Waste is stored in the pouch and passes through the anus in the usual manner.

Sources:
WedMD: http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/colitis-guide/ulcerative-colitis-treatment-care
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC):
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/

HerbaCall Ulcerative Colitis Testimonials:

· Heidi tells Herbacall, "I have suffered with Ulcerated Colitis since 1995. The doctor told me that at the age of 30 I may not have a Colon anymore. Also, that I would be on medications the rest of my life. That information was not okay with me. This October after 7 years of using other natural products and still my medications during my flares, I gave Herbalife a try. I was VERY skeptical, as I thought I'd tried them all. Herbalife Rocks because it took the guess work out my program.THIS IS THE FIRST WINTER SINCE 1995, I HAVE YET TO GET A COLD, I HAVE NO JOINT PAIN, AND I AM STILL NOT ON MY MEDICATIONS. Products used: Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, joint support, herbalifeline, aloe drink, extreme c, calcium, mentabalance, tang quei. I also cut all milk out of my diet. I use soy or rice milk for my shakes. I drink my shakes in small portions 3-4 times a day. It digests better."

· Kathy Williams said proudly, "I suffered with Ulcerative Colitis since 1978. The doctors kept me medicated and told me I would be on these medications for life. I was convinced this was a disease. It controlled every day of my life. I was always in fear of having an attack and many times choose to stay in the confines of my home. My daughter got on the products and then brought them home to me. I got on Formula 1, 2, and 3 along with Aloe. Immediately, I had great energy and started feeling better. I knew the products were working. After only 2 years on the products, I was given a clean bill of health and also was no longer lactose intolerant."

· Yusuf Da Costa said, “I am writing this to you as a fellow U. C. (ulcerative colitis) sufferer, to inform you about a range of products which has given me such relief that I seldom experience any symptom of UC anymore at all, ( for the past 8 months) and when I do, it is only very, very, mild. The medications that I was using never controlled the illness, and I suffered as described for 15 months, until, THANK GOD, I was introduced to Herbalife’s Nutritional Products. It made sense to me that, because the Nutritional Protein Drink, which is in a powder form, is consumed by being mixed in milk, fruit juice, etc, it would be easy to eat (drink), and should not be so strenuous on my digestive system, so I started using this NPD, and also Thermojetics Herbal Concentrate and Herbal Aloe, on the 25th of May1999.” I had no way of knowing it then, but that was the day that I got my life back !

· Want more information and more Herbalife testimonials?

Visit HerbaCall.com for more detailed information on many health conditions, news, and research links. HerbaCall has many testimonials on Diabetes and other conditions. Herbalife products can help calm your digestive system!