FAQ'S
Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation
and ulceration of inner lining of the colon and rectum. The inflammation
usually begins in the rectum and sigmoid colon and spread upward to
the entire colon. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine.
It occurs at the rate of approximately five cases per 100,000 people.
The disease pattern is one of the remission and exacerbation. It can
occur at any age but its onset is most common among people between ages
of 15 - 40. Ulcerative colitis affects male and females equally and
appears to run in some families.
What Causes Ulcerative Colitis
?
The exact cause of Ulcerative is not known. Autoimmune
factors, food allergies, collagen disorders, genetic factors, infection
and psychogenesis have all been suggested. One or some combination of
these factors thought to trigger the inflammatory process. The theory
of the involvement of the immune mechanism has been widely accepted
because of concept that therapeutic agents like Corticosteroids and
Azothiaprine exert their effect via the immuno suppressive mechanism.
The psychological factors of feelings like anger and anxiety of the
degree of depression experienced by a sufferer are also important in
modifying the course of the disease.
How Ulcerative Colitis Affects The Intestines ?
In Ulcerative Colitis, inflammation is triggered by
some unknown elements. Hyperemia and swelling occur as part of the vascular
response. The swollen, engorged bowel is fragile and is therefore inclined
to ulcerate , thus creating a break in the mucosal barrier. Digestive
enzymes and intestinal bacteria act upon this exposed tissue, causing
further irritation, inflammation, ulceration and bleeding.
What are the Symptoms of Ulcerative
Colitis?
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are frequent loose
stools with passage of blood and mucous. Patient may complain of abdominal
pain, fatigue, loss of weight, loss of body fluids and nutrients. Some
patients also have skin lesions, Joint pain , Inflammation of eyes and
liver disorders.
How to Diagnose Ulcerative
Colitis ?
After careful history taking and physical examination,
patients are subjected to sigmoidoscopic and colonoscopic examination.
The rectum and colon are seen through a flexible optical / camera tube
which is inserted through anus. During this examination a sample of
tissue from the lining of the colon is taken to observe under a microscope.
This is called a histopathological examination. A barium enema is helpful
in determining the nature and the extent of the disease in patients.
Risk of Colon Cancer
There is strong correlation between Ulcerative Colitis
and Colorectal cancer. The risk of colon cancer begins to increase after
someone has had Ulcerative Colitis for approximately ten years or whose
entire colon is affected. The risk increases by ten percent for each
decade it is suffered. However if only the rectum and lower colon is
involved, the risk of cancer is not high. Someone who has had a diagnose
of Ulcerative Colitis for longer than five to ten years should undergo
a complete colonoscopy atleast every two years. The key to cancer therapy
is early detection and early treatment.
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda is an oldest holistic healthcare system in
the world. According to Ayurvedic theory everything within the universe,
including ourselves, is composed of five elements called panchamahabhutas
- the five basic eternal substances known as akasha (space), vayu (air),
agni (fire), jala (water) and prthvi (earth).These elements combine
together to form three types of bio-energies called as Vata, Pitta and
Kapha. Ayurvedic philosophy says that every individual person has a
unique constitution that is related to bio-energies within the body.
Saint Sushruta mentioned in Sushruta Samhita about 3000 years ago that
Pitta type people are more prone to Ulcerative Colitis.
Pitta type people are usually of medium height and
build with soft, fair skin, light brown or reddish hair; small yellowish
teeth; a medium-sized mouth; and penetrating pink and gray or yellowish
eyes. Pittas speak clearly, but often sharply. They enjoy light but
uninterrupted sleep. Pittas are intelligent, but often aggressive, have
a good clear memory, and can be fanatic in their beliefs. Pittas tend
to be jealous, aggressive and easily irritated. Pittas tend to be emotionally
intense.
Causes of Ulcerative Colitis according to Ayurveda
All the factors that imbalance ‘Pitta’
bio-energy are also responsible for developing Ulcerative Colitis. These
include indulgence in too many arguments, eating while watching TV or
walking, watching too many violent movies, excessive heat or exposure
of the sun, excessive alcohol and smoking, excessive mental activity,
skipping meals, spicy, sour or stale and infected foods etc. In Pitta
constitution persons, Pitta gets aggravated very quickly with the above
factors and patient develop diarrhea followed by bloody diarrhea.
