Ulcerative Colitis

About Ulcerative Colitis & Proctitis When you first learn that you have ulcerative colitis, you will probably feel overwhelmed. You may not even have heard of ulcerative colitis until now. And even if you are familiar with the disorder, the information you have may be pretty limited. That's all about to change. Clearly, you will have many questions about how this disease will affect you -- both now and down the road. For example, you'll want to know:

• Will I be able to work, travel, and exercise?
• Should I be on a special diet?
• How will other people react to my illness?
• Could my medications have side effects?
• How will ulcerative colitis change my life?

Learning all you can is an important step toward taking charge of your illness -- and your life. The following is an overview of ulcerative colitis. It is designed to help you understand more about the diagnosis and treatment of this illness, and its impact on the day-to-day lives of patients and their families. The better informed you are about ulcerative colitis, the more equipped you'll be to participate as an active member of your healthcare team.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic (ongoing) disease of the colon, or large intestine. The disease is marked by inflammation and ulceration of the colon mucosa, or innermost lining. Tiny open sores, or ulcers, form on the surface of the lining, where they bleed and produce pus and mucus. Because the inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, symptoms typically include diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and often crampy abdominal pain.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may also involve the entire colon. When ulcerative colitis affects only the lowest part of the colon -- the rectum -- it is called ulcerative proctitis. If the disease affects only the left side of the colon, it is called limited or distal colitis. If it involves the entire colon, it is termed pancolitis.

Ulcerative colitis differs from another inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease. Crohn's can affect any area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the small intestine and colon. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects only the colon. The inflammation involves the entire rectum and extends up the colon in a continuous manner. There are no areas of normal intestine between the areas of diseased intestine. In contrast, such so-called "skip" areas may occur in Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon, whereas Crohn's disease can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall.

Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. They are marked by an abnormal response by the body's immune system. The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins. Normally, these protect the body from infection. In people with IBD, however, the immune system reacts inappropriately. Mistaking food, bacteria, and other materials in the intestine for foreign or invading substances, it launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury. When this happens, the patient experiences the symptoms of IBD.

Neither ulcerative colitis nor Crohn's disease should be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder that affects the motility (muscle contractions) of the colon. Sometimes called "spastic colon" or "nervous colitis," IBS is not characterized by intestinal inflammation. It is, therefore, a much less serious disease than ulcerative colitis. IBS bears no direct relationship to either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?

Although considerable progress has been made in IBD research, investigators do not yet know what causes this disease. Studies indicate that the inflammation in IBD involves a complex interaction of factors: the genes the persont has inherited, the immune system, and something in the environment. Foreign substances (antigens) in the environment may be the direct cause of the inflammation, or they may stimulate the body's defenses to produce an inflammation that continues without control. Researchers believe that once the IBD patient's immune system is "turned on," it does not know how to properly "turn off" at the right time. As a result, inflammation damages the intestine and causes the symptoms of IBD. That is why the main goal of medical therapy is to help patients regulate their immune system better.

CCFA-sponsored research has led to progress in the fields of immunology, the study of the body's immune defense system; microbiology, the study of microscopic organisms with the power to cause disease; and genetics. Many scientists now believe that the interaction of an outside agent (such as a virus or bacterium) with the body's immune system may trigger the disease, or that such an agent may cause damage to the intestinal wall, initiating or accelerating the disease process. Through CCFA's continuing research efforts, much more will be learned and a cure will eventually be found.

Is Ulcerative Colitis Inherited? We know that ulcerative colitis can tend to run in families. Studies have shown that up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis will have a close relative with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Most often, the affected relative of the colitis patient will also have ulcerative colitis. However, based on current research, there does not appear to be a clear-cut pattern to this inheritance. Researchers continue to seek specific genes involved in the cause of the diseases. At this time, however, there is no way to predict which, if any, family members will develop ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

 

News about Ulcerative Colitis

Channel: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology News From Medical News Today

• Small Intestine Can Sense And React To Bitter Toxins In Food

Toxins in food often have a bad, bitter taste that makes people want to spit them out. New UC Irvine research finds that bitterness also slows the digestive process, keeping bad food in the stomach longer and increasing the chances that it will be expelled. This second line of defense in the gut against dietary toxins also triggers the production of a hormone that makes people feel full, presumably to keep them from eating more of the toxic food.
• Vitamins Are Necessary After Gastric Bypass Surgery

In a Case Report published in this week's edition of The Lancet, researchers study a woman who failed to take multivitamins after weight-loss surgery and subsequently developed a vitamin deficiency.
• Woman Suffers Serious Vitamin Deficiency After Gastric Bypass Surgery

A woman developed disease because, after her weight-loss surgery, she did not take her multivitamin, as reported in a Case Report released on October 10, 2008 in The Lancet. The obesity epidemic is well documented around the world, and has affected developed countries in great magnitude. One treatment for obesity is gastric bypass surgery, which actually limits the size of the stomach cavity to help curb the patient's appetite.
• 88.7% Of Ulcerative Colitis Patients In Remission Remained Relapse-Free At 12 Months With Once Daily Mezavant(R) XL (MMX Mesalazine)

Shire Limited, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that data published in Gut show that 64.4% of patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) who achieved clinical and endoscopic remission maintained this at 12 months when given two mesalazine 1200mg gastro-resistant, prolonged release tablets (Mezavant XL) once a day as a maintenance therapy.
• Listeriosis Update, Ontario, Canada

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's listeriosis update as of Monday, October 8, 2008. Total number of cases - 44 Total confirmed cases - 40 Total cases under investigation - 4 Number of deaths among confirmed cases - 22 Number of death where listeriosis was an underlying or contributing cause - 15 Number of death where cause is undetermined - 7 "It's clear now that the worst of the outbreak is over," said Dr.
• Chronic Kidney Disease In The United States Targeted: Annual Report

A 30 percent increase in chronic kidney disease over the past decade has prompted the U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) to issue for the first time a separate report documenting the magnitude of the disease, which affects an estimated 27 million Americans and accounts for more than 24 percent of Medicare costs. The USRDS is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Mayo Clinic Physicians Estimate New, Tiny, Super-sensitive Probe Could Cut Colon Polyp Removal In Half

Based on results of a landmark study, researchers at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus see a future in which virtual biopsies will eliminate the need to remove colon polyps that are not cancerous or will not morph into the disease.
• Probiotic Bacteria Don't Make Eczema Better - And May Have Side Effects

There is no evidence probiotics can relieve the symptoms of eczema, but there is some evidence that they may occasionally cause infections and gut problems. These findings from The Cochrane Library come at a time when use of probiotics to treat eczema is increasing. Eczema is an itchy skin condition that affects more than 1 in 20 people at some time in their lives and is especially common in children.
• An Epidemiologic Study Of Microscopic Colitis In Turkey

The research team led by Levent Erdem from Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital of Turkey investigated the prevalence and demography of microscopic colitis in patients with diarrhea of unknown etiology and normal colonoscopy in Turkey. This was published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
• Why Should Prednisolone Suppress Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury?

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a serious complication but unavoidable problem in liver surgery including liver transplantation and hepatic resection. The most important consequence of this pathological process is multiple organ failure with a high mortality rate.
• What Is The Influence Of Tumor Removal On The Serum Level Of Carbohydrate's Antibody?

Cancer immune surveillance is considered to be important in the anti-tumor protection of the host. The growing tumor escapes the immune control under the immunosuppressive conditions. The surgical removal of the tumor may reverse the immunosuppression. The TF antigen and Tn belong to tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACA). TF antigen is implicated in the metastatic spread due to the adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium.
• Mesalamine Granules Maintain Remission In Ulcerative Colitis Patients Who Switch From Another 5-ASA

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLXP) today announced that 1.5 g mesalamine granules once-daily maintained remission versus placebo in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who switched from another 5-ASA product (78 percent of relapse-free subjects vs. 59 percent [P
• Biothera Completes Enrollment Of First Arm Of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Trial

Biothera announced today that it completed enrollment in the first arm of its metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) trial in July. The dual-arm trial is evaluating the combination therapy of Imprime PGG®, the company's lead drug candidate, and Erbitux® (cetuximab), a monoclonal antibody from ImClone Systems, with or without chemotherapy.
• Gut Reaction To Arsenic Exposure Simulated By Scientists

A simulated gastrointestinal system is helping scientists test contaminated soil for its potential to harm humans. The method is likely to save time and money for people hoping to repurpose land with an industrial past. Most testing for potential arsenic exposure is conducted in recognition of a dirty little secret of modern life: Humans unknowingly eat a little bit of soil each day.
• OneWorld Health Sends Delegates To The UK To Discuss The Control And Treatment Of Diarrheal Diseases In The Developing World

The Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH), the US-based non-profit pharmaceutical company that develops drugs for people with infectious diseases in the developing world, announced that a delegation of US experts in diarrheal disease is meeting in the UK from October 6-9, 2008.
• Study Shows PillCam(R) ESO Reduces Prison Health Care Costs By 90% For Cirrhotic Patients

Given Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ: GIVN) today announced data from a pilot study that demonstrate the Company's PillCam® capsule endoscopy of the esophagus can significantly reduce health care costs in a prison population through on-site evaluation of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients.
• Alba Therapeutics Presents New Data For Larazotide Acetate At The 2008 American College Of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting

Alba Therapeutics Corporation presented results from two clinical studies this week at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting.
• Ardea Biosciences Presents Preclinical Anti-Inflammatory Data On Its Lead MEK Inhibitor, RDEA119, At The ACG 2008 Annual Meeting

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RDEA) announced that a poster entitled "RDEA119, a Potent and Highly Selective MEK1/2 Inhibitor is Beneficial in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) -- induced Chronic Colitis in Mice," was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2008 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
• Shire Announces Results From An Analysis Of LIALDA And Asacol For The Treatment Of UC

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced the results from a multidisciplinary analysis of in vitro and in vivo data of LIALDA® (mesalamine) versus Asacol® (mesalamine) that investigated factors including transit and disintegration of tablets along with tablet coating thickness that may affect a consistent release of 5-aminosalicylate acid (5-ASA) in both therapies.
• Johns Hopkins And AANP Lead Evidence-Based Performance Improvement Initiative To Deliver Tangible Benefits In Constipation Treatment & Outcomes

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) today announced the launch of the Performance Improvement component of the Educational Initiative on Constipation (EIC) at the Collective Clinical Forum: EIC, a satellite symposium that took place during the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) annual meeting on October 5, 2008, in Orlando, Fla.
• Endoscopic Therapy May Offer An Alternative To Surgery

Endoscopic therapy is emerging as an alternative to surgery in patients with esophageal cancer given the low likelihood of spread to the lymph nodes. New research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando evaluated the long-term efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection, or EMR, in the treatment of patients with early stage esophageal cancer or Barrett's esophagus.
• Less Tobacco Exposure Required In Women To Increase Colon Cancer Risk

While smoking poses a health threat to both men and women, women require less tobacco exposure than men to have a significant increased risk for colorectal cancer, according to new research presented at the 73rd Annual ACG Scientific Meeting in Orlando. In a separate analysis, researchers found smoking may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions, particularly in patients with a strong family history of the disease.
• Summer Is Peak Season For Diagnosis Of Esophagus Disorder According To New Study

Most people who experience chronic heartburn have symptoms that are caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Two new studies presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology examined eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition that can mimic symptoms of GERD, in a small proportion of people. The first study found that the diagnosis of EoE, previously termed "allergic esophagitis," peaked during the summer months.
• Labeling Errors Tackled By Mayo Clinic Study

With a long-held commitment to continuously improving the quality and safety of patient care, Mayo Clinic researchers are recommending a new technologically-advanced labeling system aimed at reducing specimen labeling errors in a high-volume gastrointestinal endoscopy center. That conclusion is based on the results of a study they are presenting at the 2008 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting.
• New Therapeutic Treatment Approach Improves Survival In Esophageal Cancer Patients

A study released at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Orlando found that a new therapeutic treatment, when delivered endoscopically and used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, improved survival rates in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus often has a poor survival rate. Dr.