Did you know that about 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have a family member with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease? So it is necessary to know Symptoms of ulcerative colitis risks and types.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and sores in the inner lining of the large intestine. It usually affects the rectum and the inflammation may spread to affect all or part of the colon.

Researchers believe that the cause of ulcerative colitis may be the result of an overactive immune response, in which the immune system begins to attack the inner lining of the large intestine. Which in turn causes chronic inflammation and tissue damage.

risk factors

Before you learn about the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, you should know that ulcerative colitis may affect both women and men of all ages. However, some factors may increase the risk of infection. Among the most prominent of these factors:

• Age: It usually affects people between the ages of 15 to 30, or those over the age of 60.
• Family medical history: Genes may play a role in the possibility of infection.
• Diet: The risk may increase if you follow a high-fat diet.
• pharmaceutical: Frequent use of NSAIDs may increase the risk.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis symptoms usually appear gradually, and may get worse over time. Symptoms may also vary according to the severity of the condition and where it occurs. Common symptoms are:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• Increased abdominal sounds
• anemia
• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Rectal bleeding

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis in children may include delayed or poor growth. Therefore, if any of the symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Complications of ulcerative colitis

Complications of ulcerative colitis symptoms may include:

• severe bleeding
• fever
• sores in the mouth
• rash
• megacolon
• Joint pain
• joint swelling
• Osteoporosis
• Dermatitis
• Eye infection
• Liver and kidney problems

Ulcerative colitis also increases the risk of colorectal cancer. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, about 5% to 8% of people with ulcerative colitis are at increased risk of colorectal cancer in the long term.

Types of ulcerative colitis

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary according to the type and location of the inflammation. The types of ulcerative colitis are:

1. Ulcerative proctitis

Ulcerative proctitis is the mildest form of inflammation, as inflammation only affects the rectum. Rectal bleeding may be the only symptom of this disease.

2. Sigmoid colitis

Proctosigmoiditis is the inflammation of the rectum and the lower part of the colon. Its symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and the inability to defecate despite the urge to do so (tenesmus).

3. Limited colitis

Distal colitis occurs when only the left side of the colon is affected by inflammation. Symptoms include weight loss and bloody diarrhea.

4. Total colitis

Pancolitis occurs when inflammation affects the entire colon. Among its most prominent symptoms are weight loss, cramps and abdominal pain, feeling tired, and bloody diarrhea that may be severe.

5. Acute ulcerative colitis

This type of inflammation is rare, and it affects the entire colon, causing severe diarrhea, severe pain, bleeding, fever, and loss of appetite.

Ulcerative colitis treatment

There is no specific treatment for ulcerative colitis yet. But the doctor may prescribe some medications that will help reduce inflammation and make you regain the ability to practice daily activities. This is after diagnosing and determining the type and location of inflammation. Which helps reduce the risk of ulcerative colitis complications by about 40%. Among the types of these drugs:

• mesalamine
• Sulfasalazine
• Antibiotic medications
• Corticosteroid medication

Some studies have shown that patients with ulcerative colitis stop taking their medications may increase their risk of relapse by five times.

In cases of severe inflammation, the patient may need to be admitted to a hospital in order to treat the effects of dehydration resulting from diarrhea, and to treat any of the other complications.

Treat ulcerative colitis naturally

In order to help treat ulcerative colitis, you should take care of your diet, which is an important and essential step in treatment. Some foods may help irritate and inflame the colon, and thus worsen the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Foods that may aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms include:

• Dairy products
• spicy foods
• Fiber rich foods
• meat
• processed foods
• refined sugar
• Nuts
• Food and drinks that contain caffeine
• Products containing sorbitol

This is in addition to the need to take care of eating useful foods instead of them, which help reduce colitis, and improve the process of absorbing essential nutrients for the health of the body’s organs, Among the useful foods in the treatment of colon:

• Foods that contain omega 3
• Probiotic foods
• Iron rich foods
• Low fiber foods
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration when having a bout of diarrhea

In addition to the importance of following a healthy diet in order to treat ulcerative colitis, it is also important to pay attention to physical activity in order to stimulate the digestion process, and thus alleviate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

This is in addition to the importance of relaxation in order to enhance the work of the immune system, the digestive system, and stimulate blood circulation.

Your doctor may also recommend a lactose-free, low-salt, or low-fat diet. Therefore, it is necessary to follow up with the doctor to determine the appropriate diet for you according to the disease and its severity.

Can ulcerative colitis be treated with honey?

Some studies have found the effectiveness of using raw honey in relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Where honey helps reduce colon infections by a large percentage. Eating raw honey also helps relieve pain, and protect the body and colon from free radical damage.