Ulcerative colitis disease symptoms (in females) and causes

Are you interested in learning about ulcerative colitis disease? Do you want to know about what is ulcerative colitis disease, its different types, causes of ulcerative colitis disease, symptoms of ulcerative colitis disease, etc? Then today's post is for you. Because in today's post, we will present various information about this disease. So that you can be aware of this disease.

Because, according to a report from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 900,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with this disease every year. So I think, we all should know about this disease. Therefore, read this post carefully from beginning to end.

What is Ulcerative colitis disease?

What is ulcerative Colitis disease? Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum in humans. It causes irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the inner lining of our body's colon. Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age, but the disease is more likely to develop in people between the ages of 15 and 30. Ulcerative colitis can start slowly and worsen over time.

But in many, it can start suddenly. Symptoms of this disease can range from mild to severe (symptoms of this disease will be highlighted below). So far no specific cure has been discovered for this disease. However, there are treatments for this disease that can help keep the disease under control and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups. More information about this disease is given below.

What are the types of Ulcerative colitis disease?

Ulcerative colitis is divided into different types based on the degree and location of inflammation in the colon and rectum. Below are the types of this disease.

Ulcerative proctitis: In this type of ulcerative colitis, the inflammation is limited to the area closest to the anus, also called the anus. Rectal bleeding may be the only symptom of this disease.

Left-sided colitis: The inflammation of this type of ulcerative colitis begins in the rectum and extends to the splenic flexure on the left side of the colon. Symptoms that can be seen in a patient with this disease are bloody diarrhea, pain in the left side of the stomach, weight loss, fatigue, etc.

Proctosigmoiditis: Proctosigmoiditis causes inflammation of the anus and the lower part of the colon near the anus. All the symptoms seen in people suffering from this disease are bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, pain, urgency, tenesmus, etc.

Pancolitis: This form of ulcerative colitis is also known as ulcerative colitis. The inflammation caused by this type extends throughout the colon. Symptoms of this disease can be severe and include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and fever.

Causes of Ulcerative Colitis Disease

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still unknown, but researchers believe it is caused by genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. In addition, researchers have now identified another possible cause of this disease is an abnormal immune system response. When the immune system in the human body tries to fight off invading viruses or bacteria, an erratic immune response causes the immune system to attack and destroy cells in the digestive system.

Due to this, the researchers think that this disease can be created. Factors such as genetics, environmental triggers, and gut microbiota may also play a role in its development. However, it is important to note that these are only risk factors and do not necessarily cause ulcerative colitis. Researchers are still looking for the exact cause of the disease.

Ulcerative colitis disease symptoms

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and the size of the colon. Some people may experience mild symptoms while others may develop severe symptoms due to this disease. Below is a list of symptoms that a patient may experience due to ulcerative colitis.

Fever
Fatigue
Sudden weight loss
Rectal pain
Rectal bleeding
Canker sores
Tenesmus
Dehydration
Feeling tired
Urgency to defecate
Joint pain and swelling
Nausea and vomiting
Mouth sores (ulcers)
Skin lumps or ulcers
Not feeling hungry
Occasionally, constipation and rectal spasm
Sudden urges to poop
Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea, often with blood or pus
Inability to defecate despite urgency
Eye pain when you look at a bright light
Too few red blood cells, called anemia
A gurgling or splashing sound is heard over the intestine.
Rectal bleeding — passing a small amount of blood with stool
Erythema nodosum, a condition that causes painful bumps under the skin on a person’s shins
Feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping (tenesmus), etc.

Ulcerative colitis symptoms in females

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis in women are usually felt by men, as the disease affects both sexes equally. However, some women may experience additional symptoms or problems related to their reproductive health. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis in women include:

Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea (often bloody)
Fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Joint pain (arthralgia)
Menstrual irregularities
Anemia (resulting from chronic bleeding)
Urgency to have bowel movements
Rectal bleeding
Tenesmus (feeling of needing to pass stools even when the rectum is empty)
Fertility concerns (related to medications or disease activity)
Pregnancy complications (increased risk of flare-ups, preterm birth low birth weight)

Note: It is important to note that symptoms can vary in severity and fluctuate over time. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.

What are the 4 stages of ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum of the human body. There are 4 main stages of ulcerative colitis. Which is shown below.

Mild
Moderate
Severe
Fulminant

Mild: Symptoms in the stage of ulcerative colitis are usually mild and may include mild abdominal pain, diarrhea with or without blood, and an overall feeling of discomfort. People with mild ulcerative colitis usually have four bowel movements per day and have no signs of systemic toxicity or complications.

Moderate: Moderate ulcerative colitis is characterized by more frequent and severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, etc. Patients at this stage may have more than four bowel movements per day and sufferers may experience systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight rash.

Severe: This is the third stage of ulcerative colitis. That is called the critical level. This level of ulcerative colitis involves significant inflammation and symptoms that severely affect quality of life. Symptoms seen at this level include frequent and bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and cramping, dehydration, weight loss, fever, and systemic illness.

Fulminant: This is the fourth stage of ulcerative colitis. This is called fulminant ulcerative colitis. This is the most severe form of ulcerative colitis. If a person reaches this stage of ulcerative colitis, they need immediate treatment. Symptoms at this level may include profuse bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and distension, high fever, rapid heart rate, dehydration, etc. Fulminant ulcerative colitis is a medical emergency and may require hospitalization and intensive medical management, including intravenous fluids, nutritional support, and possible surgery.

How do you calm a colitis flare-up?

If you have read the upper part of this post, you may have understood by now that ulcerative colitis is an incurable disease. No specific medicine or treatment has been discovered so far for this disease. But yes, you can calm ulcerative colitis flare-ups by adopting several strategies. Now the question is what are those strategies? Below are some strategies to calm ulcerative colitis flare-ups.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. So drink enough water or other fluids every day to calm colitis flare-ups, so you don't get thirsty. And if you feel dizzy or do not urinate within twelve hours, tell your doctor right away.

Dietary Changes

Choose easily digestible foods during flare-ups. This can include low-fiber foods like white rice, pasta and bread, lean protein, and cooked vegetables. Avoid fatty foods, raw fruits and vegetables (which can be irritating), and processed foods.

Soothe Skin Irritation and Pain

Bouts of diarrhea can often irritate your skin. So use a damp towel to wipe your bouts. You can also follow different types of petroleum jelly ointments. Again, you can try acetaminophen for pain relief, but avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Stress Management

Normally stress does not cause ulcerative colitis, but it can make symptoms and inflammation worse for some people. If it affects you, you can practice techniques like deep breathing, meditation, breathing exercises or massage, yoga, etc. to calm it down. You can also see a professional try a type of counseling called biofeedback hypnotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Who will help you learn new ways to handle your problems.

Medication

Use a variety of medications to treat ulcerative colitis (medications recommended by your healthcare provider). Some of the medications that can reduce inflammation and control symptoms include anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, biologics, and corticosteroids.

Note: It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized management plan for ulcerative colitis, including strategies for both managing flare-ups and maintaining remission. If you experience severe symptoms such as persistent bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or dehydration, seek medical advice immediately.

Conclusion

Dear Readers, In this post we have discussed Ulcerative Colitis Disease in detail. In addition to the causes and symptoms of this disease, some other information has been highlighted. If you or you have read this entire post carefully then hopefully you will know a lot of information about Ulcerative Colitis Disease.

In fact, ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the colon and rectum. The disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 15 and 30. So people in this age group should be most careful.