Understanding Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Management

Leading New York Gastroenterologists Explain Ulcerative Colitis

Lawrence, NY, is home to South Island Gastroenterology Associates. Dr. Steven Kadish and Dr. Jonathan Zinburg direct their practice and see patients with digestive system problems daily.

While the issues they encounter daily are varied, they do see many patients with ulcerative colitis. They are here today to explain this illness so you can better understand what you may be facing.

Our doctors embrace continued education to offer patients the latest trends in gastroenterology. Our doctors and their professional staff maintain the highest level of accreditation.

What is Ulcerative Colitis/Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

South Island Gastroenterology Associates in Lawrence, NY, explains that ulcerative colitis is a chronic colon inflammation that never goes away. However, if well-managed, this illness has increased episodes of remission at longer intervals without symptoms. Symptoms include the following:

• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• Abdominal cramping/tenderness
• Weight loss
• Increased stools
• Urgent need to poop/frequent need
• Tenesmus
• Nausea
• Fever

Sometimes symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, red burning, itchy eyes, painful bumps, rashes, and skin ulcers can spread elsewhere in the body, like the bones, joints, eyes, skin, liver,

Four types of UC are present: mild, moderate, or severe.

Pancolitis - complete colon inflammation

Left-sided colitis - inflammation on the left side of the abdomen

Ulcerative proctitis - Rectal inflammation

Fulminant ulcerative colitis - rare, life-threatening, urgent medical care

Causes

Medical research believes you may have risk factors that put you at greater risk for developing this illness than the next person, such as an overactive immune response, age, race, culture, genetics, gut bacteria, viruses, fungi, stress, and diet. The causes are unknown.

If you don't seek treatment, you place yourself at high risk for complications like anemia, colon cancer, osteoporosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, developmental issues in children with this diagnosis, dehydration, perforation, severe bleeding, toxic megacolon, and possible blood clots.

To determine whether you have UC, our doctor may order blood tests, stool samples, imaging tests, X-rays, a barium enema, a CT scan, an MRI, and a possible endoscopic test.  

Treatment

If you have ulcerative colitis, our doctor may order medication, biologics, Janus kinase inhibitors, stress management, avoiding NSAIDs, specific diet, or surgery as a last resort to remove part or all of your colon in severe cases.

In less severe cases, UC can be managed by following our doctors' recommendations to put you in remission and keep you in remission at longer intervals without symptoms.

Digestive Problems?

For ulcerative colitis and other digestive problems, call Dr. Kadish and Dr. Zinburg at (516) 341-0990 at South Island Gastroenterology Associates in Lawrence, NY, and surrounding areas to schedule your GI consultation appointment. We want to get you back on a healthy path.