Hospital stays and ulcerative colitis: Hazards and additional insights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the large bowel, causing significant discomfort and potentially severe complications.
People with UC need to be aware of the signs of a severe flare-up, which may require hospitalization for further tests and treatment. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Recurring diarrhea
- Frequent need to empty the bowels
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Signs of a severe flare-up can include:
- Bowel movements containing blood more than 6 times a day
- Fever
- Increased heart rate
- Anemia
- Elevated inflammatory markers
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe abdominal distention
- Vomiting blood
- Persistent bleeding from the bottom
Complications
Toxic Megacolon, a life-threatening condition characterized by the rapid expansion and swelling of the colon, can present with sudden abdominal pain, fever, rapid pulse, and cessation of bowel movements.
Perforation, a hole in the colon wall, can lead to peritonitis (infection of the abdominal cavity) and sepsis.
Severe bleeding from the colon can lead to severe blood loss, requiring immediate medical attention.
Intestinal obstruction, though not specific to UC, can occur and present with abdominal pain, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.
Emergency Symptoms
If you experience any of the following emergency symptoms, immediate hospitalization is crucial:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Rapid pulse (tachycardia)
- Cessation of bowel movements (obstruction)
- Vomiting
- Severe diarrhea or rectal bleeding, especially if accompanied by dizziness or weakness, indicating possible severe blood loss
In cases where a stoma is present and the individual believes it may be blocked, they should call 911.
Hospital treatments for moderate to severe UC may include corticosteroids, intravenous fluids and electrolytes, biologic medications, and surgery such as colectomy.
Individuals should call 911 if they experience severe dehydration or malnourishment, severe abdominal pain, high temperature and rapid heartbeat, persistent bleeding from the bottom, vomiting blood, or if they believe their stoma may be blocked.
Regular check-ups and prompt treatment are key to managing UC symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with UC and suspect a flare-up, contact your gastroenterologist immediately. Adequate nutritional support is also important in managing UC symptoms.
[1] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Ulcerative Colitis. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis [2] Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. (2021). Ulcerative Colitis. Retrieved from https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/about-crohns-disease/what-is-crohns-disease/types-of-ibd/ulcerative-colitis [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Ulcerative colitis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355273 [4] American College of Gastroenterology. (2020). Ulcerative colitis. Retrieved from https://www.acg.gi.org/patients/disease-information/disease-list/item/ulcerative-colitis [5] National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2021). Intestinal Obstruction. Retrieved from https://rarediseases.org/diseases/intestinal-obstruction/
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an established entity within the realm of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), primarily affecting the large bowel.
- UC seekers often find themselves confronting a spectrum of chronic-diseases, as UC can lead to complications such as chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, cancer, and respiratory-conditions.
- Additionally, digestive-health issues may manifest in the form of disorders like Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune-disorders, migraine, and cardiovascular-health problems.
- In some cases, eye-health, hearing, and skin-care may also be affected due to the advanced stages of UC.
- With the advent of UC, mental-health concerns are not uncommon, given the impact of chronic conditions on overall health-and-wellness.
- Fitness-and-exercise can play a pivotal role in managing UC symptoms and preventing further complications.
- Workplace-wellness programs can be instrumental in promoting a balanced lifestyle for UC patients, ensuring they receive adequate care for their medical-conditions.
- Hst (hospitalized) UC patients might undergo a series of therapies-and-treatments, such as corticosteroids, intravenous fluids/electrolytes, biologic medications, and even surgery like colectomy.
- Multiple-sclerosis is another neurological-disorder that can coexist with UC, causing additional challenges in managing overall health.
- For naive patients, it's crucial to understand UC signs and symptoms to prevent severe flare-ups, including recurring diarrhea, abdominal pain, frequent need to empty the bowels, fatigue, and weight loss.
- Toxic Megacolon, a potentially life-threatening condition, requires immediate medical attention, presenting with symptoms such as sudden abdominal pain, fever, rapid pulse, and cessation of bowel movements.
- Perforation, a hole in the colon wall, can lead to peritonitis and sepsis, necessitating medical attention.
- Severe bleeding from the colon can result in severe blood loss, requiring immediate medical intervention.
- Intestinal obstruction, although not specific to UC, may occur, presenting with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.
- Switches in UC treatments may be required depending on the severity and response to initial treatments.
- CBD has shown potential in managing symptoms of UC and other chronic diseases.
- Regular medical check-ups, prompt treatment, and adequate nutritional support are vital to maintain UC management and prevent complications.
- Rheumatoid-arthritis and psoriasis, two other autoimmune-disorders, can coexist with UC, causing additional challenges in managing symptoms.
- Individuals with Medicare coverage should consult their gastroenterologist promptly and understand the coverage policies for UC treatments.
- Symptoms of a severe UC flare-up may include bowel movements containing blood more than 6 times a day, fever, increased heart rate, anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, severe abdominal pain, severe abdominal distention, vomiting blood, and persistent bleeding from the bottom.
- In case of emergency, individuals with UC should seek immediate hospitalization and consult medical professionals to manage their health effectively.
