16 Jul 3 Warning Signs of Ulcerative Colitis
3 Warning Signs of Ulcerative Colitis
Occasional gastrointestinal discomfort is often considered a normal part of life, but constant issues could be warning signs of ulcerative colitis (UC). Read more to learn about the common signs of UC.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by bloody stool, bowel urgency, weight loss, and gastrointestinal discomfort among many other symptoms. There are theories about various causes but unfortunately a direct cause of the disease is still somewhat unclear.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms are the result of an overreactive immune response that causes inflammation in your colon (a part of the large intestine). The main difference between UC and other IBDs, is that UC only affects the lower intestinal tract, as opposed to Crohn’s disease which can affect any part of the digestive tract.
How do I know if I have Ulcerative Colitis?
The best way to determine if you have ulcerative colitis (UC) is to consult with a healthcare provider. Ideally, a gastroenterologist who specializes in IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases). A colonoscopy and biopsy is normally required to diagnose the condition, but your doctor may want to gather some information about your symptoms first. In this article we will cover the most common warning signs of ulcerative colitis.
Warning Signs
1. Bloody Stool
UC causes continuous inflammation throughout the inner wall of the colon. This is the last part of the digestive tract, and thus consistently bloody bowel movements are sometimes considered a hallmark trait of UC.
Other conditions can cause bloody bowel movements as well. However, constantly experiencing blood in the stool is an ulcerative colitis warning sign. If you or a loved one is struggling with this, we encourage you to look at the list of symptoms and consider meeting with a physician.
2. Bowel Urgency
Another common warning sign of UC is bowel urgency. Bowel urgency means that you might feel the need to go to the bathroom very soon. This need might seem to come on suddenly, without warning.
These feelings may impact your day to day and leave you constantly thinking about the nearest restroom. Bowel urgency can also make planning events and activities feel very stressful. Consistent bowel urgency can have a large effect on a person’s quality of life. It should indicate a suspicion of UC when combined with other signs/symptoms.
3. Frequent Diarrhea
Finally, frequent loose and runny bowel movements (diarrhea) are warning signs of ulcerative colitis. Frequency is key to determine if this is a warning sign of ulcerative colitis.
It is normal to have occasional, infrequent bouts of diarrhea. These may be linked to a food sensitivity/intolerance, or an acute infection such as food poisoning or the stomach flu. When diarrhea becomes part of the regular routine, it might be time to consult a gastroenterologist.
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
When severe discomfort is impacting your quality of life, it is time to do something about it. Fortunately, ulcerative colitis is very treatable. Advances in technology in recent years have led to the development of several very effective treatments.
Ulcerative colitis treatments include a variety of medications, such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators. For some people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis that doesn’t respond well to other treatments, biologic infusions may be recommended as add-on therapies.
The most common biologic infusion treatments for ulcerative colitis are Remicade (infliximab), Entyvio (Vedolizumab), and Stelara (Ustekinumab). Remicade is also offered in several biosimilars that could lower the cost of treatment.
These infusions have been shown to improve symptoms and overall management of ulcerative colitis. However, they may not be appropriate for everyone. Your healthcare provider can help determine the best treatment plan for your unique treatment needs.
Where can I get my infusion?
Typically, biologics are administered via infusion or injection in a hospital or provider’s office. Nevertheless, recent findings suggest that receiving treatment at a stand-alone or ambulatory infusion center (AIC) can lower infusion costs by up to 53%, while providing a more individualized and private experience.
Here at Pure Infusion Suites, we put our patients first. We offer flexible scheduling, co-pay assistance, and other financial aid programs, as well as private suites equipped with recliners, flatscreen TVs, and snacks and drinks for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Pure Infusion Suites currently has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Our founders created Pure Infusion Suites to make the infusion process comfortable, streamlined, and affordable.
Our expertly trained staff will be with you throughout the infusion process to ensure easy referrals and insurance authorizations and reduce the cost of your infusion where we can.
At Pure Infusion Suites, you will skip the long lines at the hospital and be provided with your suite, where you can enjoy your favorite shows, snacks, and food during your infusion appointment.
If you have been prescribed an injection or infusion add-on therapy for your ulcerative colitis and are looking for a patient-focused experience, click here to find a clinic near you.
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