Ulcerative colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and can begin in the rectum and then spread to other parts of the intestine.
This disease is characterized by the presence of several ulcers in the intestinal wall, which are sores that can appear during the intestines, in isolated parts or in the final part of the intestine. Due to the presence of ulcers, ulcerative colitis can be quite uncomfortable and interfere with a person’s quality of life.
- Ulcerative colitis has no cure.
- But it is possible to relieve symptoms and prevent the formation of new ulcers through a healthy and balanced diet according to the advice of the nutritionist.
- With the consumption of fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Lean meats and whole foods.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis usually appear in crisis and are related to the presence of ulcers in the intestine, the main being:
It is important that the person with symptoms of ulcerative colitis consults the gastroenterologist to make the diagnosis and to give him the most appropriate treatment. Diagnosis is usually made by evaluating a person’s symptoms and imaging tests that evaluate the large intestine, such as colonoscopy, rectosigmoicopy, and CT scan of the abdomen, for example.
In addition, your doctor may recommend blood and stool tests to confirm that symptoms are related to colitis and not intestinal infections, and are also indicated to assess the extent of inflammation and signs of complications such as bleeding and iron deficiency.
The causes of ulcerative colitis are not yet very clear, but it is believed to be related to some deregulation of the immune system, in which the cells responsible for the body’s defense attack the cells of the intestine.
Although the causes are not yet fully defined, the risk of developing ulcerative colitis is higher in people aged 15 to 30 and over 50 years of age. In addition, a diet high in fat and fried foods, for example, can also promote worsening of ulcers and the onset of symptoms.
Treatment of ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms, and the gastroenterologist may indicate the use of medications such as sulfasalazine and corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation, as well as immunosuppressants that act directly on the immune system, alleviating inflammation.
In addition, medications may also be used to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide, such as dietary supplements that contain iron, pain relievers such as acetaminophen, and sometimes surgery may be needed to remove part of the intestine.
It is also important to pay attention to food to avoid aggravating symptoms, being indicated by the nutritionist to increase the consumption of foods high in fiber, in addition to vegetables. Check what the food for colitis should look like.