Causes and Treatment of Colitis
The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but researchers believe that there are a
number of factors involved. These are listed below.
1.Environmental causes:
Where, and how, we live also seems to play a role in the development of the condition. The evidence for this is that the condition is much more common in certain parts of the world - namely, urban areas in northern parts of Western Europe and America. A number of environmental factors have been suggested including diet, air pollution, cigarette smoke and hygiene. However, no factors have been positively identified.
2.Immune system:
Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection triggers our body’s natural defence system against infection, the immune system. The immune system responds to the infection by causing the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis, but for some reason, but the immune system does not ‘turn off’ once the infection has passed, and continues to cause inflammation.
TREATMENT COLITIS:
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, then be referred to a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the digestive system) so the severity of condition be assessed, and a treatment plan drawn up. The severity of the condition is judged using a number of factors, including:
how many times you are passing stools,whether those stools are bloody,whether have symptoms of fever,how much control have over the bladder, and general well-being.Mild to moderate cases can be treated on an out-patient basis (meaning treatment can be carried out through a series of appointments at a hospital or clinic) or at home. More severe cases will require admission to hospital.
There are two types of treatment:
managing active ulcerative colitis - treating the symptoms until they go into remission,
andmaintaining remission - using treatment to prevent the return of symptoms.Managing active ulcerative colitis
There are three main types of medicines that are used to manage active ulcerative colitis
aminosalicylates, steroids and immunosuppressants.
1.Aminosalicylates
The first treatment option, for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis, is an aminosalicylate. Amniosalicylates help reduce inflammation. They can be taken: orally - as a tablettopically - as a cream rubbed into the affected area,as a suppository - a capsule that you insert into your rectum where it then dissolves, andthrough an enema -where fluid is pumped into your colon.
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