Ulcerative Colitis in New Orleans, LA

The specific cause of ulcerative colitis continues to be unidentified. However, we have identified some variables which seem to increase the chances of ulcerative colitis and its related symptoms.

• Genetics: An individual might inherit genes from their parent or parents which heighten one's risk of being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
• Immune system: It is presumed that internal bacteria or viruses will initiate the onset of ulcerative colitis. Anytime bacteria or a virus enters the digestive tract, the body enlists your immune system to engage the virus or bacteria. When this takes place, your body releases white blood cells to the colon in which case they end up attacking healthy cells and tissue. As a result your colon, or large intestine, becomes inflamed.

Risk factors for ulcerative colitis

Some of the risk factors related to having ulcerative colitis may include:

• Family history: If a family member lives with ulcerative colitis, you may have a higher chance of suffering from this disease.
• Race or ethnicity: People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and Caucasians are at an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis, however, the condition may affect any ethnicity.
• Age: Ulcerative colitis typically develops before the age of 30.

What are some common symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

Many symptoms common to ulcerative colitis appear slowly and range from mild to severe. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis often include:

• Normal menstrual cycle disruption
• Constipation
• Pain in the rectum
• Pain in the abdomen
• Cramps in the stomach
• Blood in the stool
• Diarrhea with pus or blood
• Fever
• Mouth sores
• Sudden loss of weight
• Drainage or pain near or around the anus

Should you ever notice bloody stool, we implore you to contact your provider or another specialist in New Orleans, LA immediately. You should see a gastroenterologist anytime you become aware of any of the above-listed symptoms or a combination of symptoms on a persistent basis. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates are here to offer you specialized care for ulcerative colitis and can help treat and manage these problems.

At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, the ultimate goals of ulcerative colitis treatments are to manage the inflammation that causes the symptoms and subsequently enter into remission of the disease. Subsequent treatment includes regular cancer screenings since having ulcerative colitis puts you at higher risk for a diagnosis of colon cancer. The main types of ulcerative colitis treatments are:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics can help eliminate bacteria known to cause excessive immune system responses that lead to swelling. These are not a primary form of treatment but may be utilized in coordination with additional therapies.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Anti-inflammatory medicines used to manage ulcerative colitis are corticosteroids and oral 5-aminosalicylates. Corticosteroids help decrease swelling in your body and can be given in conjunction with immune system suppressants. Oral 5-aminosalicylates are also useful in the reduction of swelling in your body.

Additional medications and supplements could be recommended to control and manage ulcerative colitis symptoms. These could include:

• Anti-diarrheals
• Calcium and vitamin D supplements
• Iron supplementation
• Vitamin B-12 shots

Long-term anti-inflammatory therapies: These therapies address our body’s unusual immune reaction to viruses and bacteria. The immunosuppressant medications your New Orleans, LA gastroenterologist might prescribe include:

• Azathioprine
• Adalimumab
• Ustekinumab
• Vedolizumab
• Natalizumab
• Tofacitinib
• Methotrexate
• Infliximab
• Certolizumab

Nutrition and diet: Your gastrointestinal specialist may recommend a special nutrition plan to help relieve symptoms and aid in inducing remission.

Surgery: In severe circumstances, surgery could be required to take out a portion, or the entirety, of the colon or rectum.