Ulcerative Colitis Research Paper

South University

Jane Emond

NTR 2050

Dr. Weintraub

August 3, 2015

The five senses, sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. All amazing on their own, but when all are working independently of each other properly people can function pretty well. However, when the slightest disruption interferes with how our senses work properly life can become pretty unbearable at times. Just to name a few issues such as the common cold, seasonal allergies, conjunctivitis, and ear infections can very easily cause the balanced system to go out of whack. Issues with the digestive system can make enjoyable things like eating and enjoying food more of an unenjoyable task. Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine that causes inflammation

Depending on where the inflammation occurs within the large intestine UC is classified by how far the disease extends up the colon. Research has shown that genes, the environment, and an overactive immune response could play a role in causing UC unfortunately, the exact cause of the disease is not known. “Research sponsored by CCFA has led many scientists to believe that ulcerative colitis may be the result of an interaction of a virus or bacterial infection of the colon and your body’s natural immune system response”(Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 2015). Although research has not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of Ulcerative Colitis it can actually occur in people of any age. Nonetheless, research has shown that it hoes have a higher occurrence rate in people between the ages of 15 and 30, who have family members with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and who are of Jewish

Through lifestyle modifications, drug therapy, and surgery life with Ulcerative Colitis does not have mean that one cannot enjoy the comforts of eating again and enjoying food. Lifestyle modifications can include smoking cessation, limit consumption of alcohol, and even though there is not much evidence to prove that modifying the diet does indeed play a role, but it may help in reducing the symptoms. Dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding spicy, avoiding carbonated beverages, avoiding high fiber foods may help. Depending on the severity of the disease a low fiber diet, a low salt diet may, or a soft bland diet may be recommended and nutritional supplementation of vitamins may be necessary for those who do not absorb nutrients properly. To be safe patients should consult with their health care provider before deciding to use complimentary or alternative medical practices such as dietary supplements and probiotics. While there is no current medication in the market that cures UC, there are many out there than can help reduce symptoms to induce and maintain remission and improving the quality of life. Depending of the location and severity of UC there are five classed of medications that may be prescribed either orally, in suppository form, IV, enema, and rectal foam. 5-ASA (Aminosalicylates) is