More than just diarrhea…

 

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases include Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These diseases cause inflammation in the digestive tract.  Both diseases can have similar symptoms such as diarrhea, urgency, abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, and rectal bleeding.

 

What’s the difference between Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis?

Crohn’s Disease can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.  Ulcerative Colitis (UC) affects only the colon (also known as large intestine or large bowel). UC causes ulcers along with the inflammation and puts those affected at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

 

What causes Ulcerative Colitis?

Physicians used to believe that stress and diet choices caused ulcerative colitis. Physicians now believe that UC was already present, and can be aggravated by these factors.

Research has shown that the immune system plays a role in developing Ulcerative Colitis.

 

My own immune system is giving me this disease?

There is no clear cause of UC.  Medical science shows that an overactive immune system may be to blame. This can lead to continuous inflammation of the colon, and Ulcerative Colitis.

Many of the medicines currently prescribed to treat UC suppress (decrease the activity of) the immune system.

 

Is there a cure?

There is currently no medical cure for UC.  Medical treatment is available to help manage it. American hospitals experience 500,000 visits per year and 46,000 hospitalizations for Ulcerative Colitis. In severe cases, surgical removal of the colon does cure ulcerative colitis.

 

The Good News

New medicines are now being studied with ENCORE Research to find a cure for UC.  Please call for more information, or to schedule an evaluation to see if this is an option for you.

 

We look forward to talking with you!