Avi Medical helps you with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is one of the chronic intestinal diseases for which no preventive measures are known. Particularly perfidious: the disorder of the large intestine often manifests itself in sufferers at a young age and massively impairs their quality of life. However, early diagnosis and targeted therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms. Our experienced doctors are at your sidein the fight against ulcerative colitis at all our locations.

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What is ulcerative colitis?

The term ulcerative colitis refers to a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, similar to Crohn's disease, which often affects people between the ages of twenty and thirty-five . 

Thecause of ulcerative colitis is immune cells in the intestinal wall that become active in episodes, causing inflammation and thus damaging the organ. The course of the disease varies in severity and duration. Ulcerative colitis can be mild or intense, sporadic or continuous. 

Unlike Crohn's disease, the persistent inflammation of the organ follows a continuous pattern. Thus, it starts in the rectum and gradually ascends up the colon.

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At what point is it ulcerative colitis?

Several medical steps are necessary for a reliable diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. These include a medical history and physical examinations such as an endoscopy, which shows typical features of the inflammation (such as mucosal swelling and bleeding). 

During the diagnostic process, other potential diseases that trigger symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea must also be ruled out. These include, among others, infections, cancers or a Irritable bowel. A biopsy can serve as an additional measure here.

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What are the triggers of ulcerative colitis?

The trigger for the immune cells that become active in episodes is not yet known . However, the most common risk factors for the development of ulcerative colitis include:

• Genetic predisposition (the bowel disease often manifests itself in several members of a family)
• Disorders of the intestinal flora 
• a high-fat diet

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What are the possible symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

The typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are: 

• bloody and mucous diarrhoea
• Pain in the lower abdomen and during bowel movements 
• Fever 
• Liver and gall bladder disease
• Rarely also: joint complaints and skin changes

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Treatment of ulcerative colitis at Avi Medical

At the centre of the successful treatment of your ulcerative colitis is a targeted therapy. Depending on the severity of the bowel disease and the individual patient's wishes, you can choose between several effective measures. 

The proven measures that are carried out in the hospital or by the specialist include: 

• A step therapy consisting of different medicines taken during a relapse or as prophylaxis
• in severe cases, surgical treatment in which the inflamed tissue is removed. In some cases, this also involves the installation of a pouch (artificial bowel outlet). 

Measures offered by Avi Medical in your GP practice include: 

• Regular laboratory checks for iron and vitamin deficiencies.
• early detection of a possible inflammation of the pouch
• Complementary medicine approaches. These include supporting the intestinal flora with foods such as psyllium, turmeric and pomegranate, as well as physical exercise or relaxation methods and acupuncture.