How dangerous is Ulcerative Colitis? Is it life threatening? What all I should take care in life?

Question

Is it curable? Can a UC patient give birth to a baby?

Answer 1

Ulcerative colitis is quite dangerous if not taken care of.

It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a general name for diseases that cause the intestine to become inflamed. Ulcerative colitis is a form of IBD in which the inner lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed, swollen, and ulcerated. The inflammation usually begins in the lower end of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon, which empties into the rectum. (Inflammation of the rectum only is called proctitis.) When the rectum and large intestine become inflamed, water can’t be absorbed into the blood stream, which causes diarrhea. Eventually, the inflammation spreads throughout the large intestine, with the exception of the last section called the ileum. The small intestine is not affected.

Some of the long term effects include severe bleeding that may require blood transfusions, Toxic megacolon (a dangerous condition where the colon becomes extremely distended (swollen), causing a person to become severely ill, with a distended belly and a high fever. The colon expands and becomes paralyzed. Occasionally, it may rupture. If this occurs, up to 30 percent may not survive it. The diagnosis is confirmed by simple x-ray of the abdomen) and Perforation (a hole in the colon), which can cause widespread infection and can be life threatening.

If you have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, follow the treatment plan your doctor has recommended. Avoid any foods or beverages that cause indigestion. If you have diarrhea, drink only clear liquids. Get plenty of rest and continue to have regular checkups.

Please browse through the following websites for more information.

God bless and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Answer 2

The only absolute cure is removal of the colon. After 30 years of UC flare-ups I became so anemic that I had no quality of life & opted for colectomy. UC can usually be controlled with medication but some people have had severe attacks of UC & died from blood loss. Of course that's the worst case scenario. There are new medications now that control UC for many people - hope you're one of them! I wish you well!!

Answer 3

According to my medical books, it is very life-threatening. You can develop anemia, which is low blood iron; and a perforated colon, which is when holes develop throughout your colon and fecal matter seeps into your abdomen causing a toxicity in your body. The toxicity can kill you, and the longer you have this condition the more the chances you can develop colorectal cancer. It is recommended that if you are at least 50 you should get a colonoscopy to be sure things are OK.

Answer 4

Life threatening in stages.

This condition is brought on by many things that can be easily corrected. Lowering your stress level. Changing your diet. Exercise, and proper rest.
Diet:
Anything that changes the blood chemistry such as spices, over seasoned foods, kick em to the curb.
Foods such as meat, tend to stay in the G.I. tract longer than other foods, which cause the colon to continue to draw more moisture from them.
Hydrogenated oils (hardened). Difficult to digest
Animal fats such as Butter, and fatty meat. Gross
Harsh fibre which would normally work like a broom in a normal Colon, tend to irritate.
Stimulants such as caffeine, and carbonated sodas tend to cause discomfort by creating more irritation.

The Gastro-Intestinal tract has what is called a Flora. It has it's own chemistry balance. The flora is like a waving ocean that moves waste products out of the system. Antibiotics also take down the good flora with the bad guys. To restore it, you could supplement your diet with Acidophilus Lactobacillus. I suggest you purchase it without the dairy product in it. It is in yogurt, however, you could have a milk allergy.
Yeast: It doesn't die when the bread is baked. The worst thing I can imagine is Beer and Pizza. Hello Yeast. It just keeps rising, and sugar is it's friend.

Don't mix starch and sugars. Limit acids, such as Citrus fruits
Alcohol is another irritant.
I suggest going to a health food store, and find a book that looks like you might enjoy following a diet geared toward restoring your colon to it's original state. Also, the library is a good place to do your research.

It's not a quick fix. But, you can do it. Research, it takes mountains of will power to focus on what is healthy, and right for your needs.
Some contra-indications on medication will usually warn you of Gastro-enteritis. Itis...inflamation And can cause bleeding.
I lived with the same condition, and finally found out it was Chocolate that I was allergic to, and my other worst enemy was animal fat. My mom used Bacon Grease in most foods for seasoning. I was a child with a constant pain in my side.

I am so healthy now, and can boast of an excellent Blood, and Lipid Panel Chemistry. It's all about will-power. Fruits and Vegetables in season, and a lot of common sense.

A simple hot-pack for your G. I. tract. Wet a towel, place it in the Microwave for a minute or less, flip it into a large baggie, and lay it on your poor ole worn out areas.
Write down what you eat daily, so you can't lie to yourself. hehe Drink enough water to keep your whole being hydrated. By now, you are probably wondering , wow! .what's left to enjoy?. A pain free life, that's what..
Think Happy.....Once you learn how to prepare foods with out frying them in grease, and some other cooking tips,it will all fall into place.
Heres to a speedy recovery. Slow down and smell the roses.....