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Colitis: Ulcerative Colitis
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Colonic pseudopolyps of a patient with intractable ulcerative colitis. Colectomy specimen. Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis is... a systemic disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestine. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome ("IBS"), a troublesome, but much less serious condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn's disease, another form of IBD.
Colitis is a general term referring to inflammation of the colon. It is derived from col = colon, and itis = inflammation. There are several types of colitis, such as infectious, ulcerative, and microscopic. While all involve inflammation of the colon, they each have a different underlying cause. By analogy, you can liken this to arthritis (arth = joint and itis = inflammation) which is an umbrella term describing inflammation of the joints. Similar to colitis, there are many different forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Colitis... known as ulcerative colitis, refers to a type of inflammatory bowel disease affecting the inner lining of the colon (the large intestine). Inflammation of the intestinal wall, whether chronic or acute, causes ulcers to be formed in the top layers of the lining. These ulcers may bleed and produce pus. A patient of colitis experiences an uncontrollable urge to empty the bowels frequently as in diarrhea (loose motions), in many cases accompanied by abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, painful spasms, appetite loss, fatigue and fever. The condition can affect people of all ages, but it is more commonly found in the 15 to 30 age group.
The study, "Predictors of 5-ASA Prescription Persistence in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis," sought to identify factors for 5-ASA therapy non- adherence in patients with UC. Of the more than 3,000 UC patients with 5-ASA prescriptions in the database, 1,530 did not refill their prescription at three months. The study identified that the most significant factors in predicting patient non-adherence at three months were gender (men were less compliant than women), psychiatric history (patients with documented psychiatric illness were less compliant) and co-pay (higher co-payments deterred patients from refilling their prescriptions).
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Ulcerative Colitis is a serious and chronic disease that is classified as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease . IBD is the general name given for diseases that cause inflamation in the small and large intestines. In the case of ulcerative colitis, ulcers develop in the lining of the colon. It is often difficult to diagnose due to it's simularity to another IBD by the name of Crohn's Disease. Only in the case of Crohns disease, the inflamation is deeper and can appear in other parts of the digestive tract including the small intestine, esophogus, stomach and the mouth as well as the colon.
People with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease - both serious and sometimes life-threatening inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) - are campaigning for a fairer deal on prescription charges. At present, people diagnosed with Colitis or Crohn's have to pay the full prescription charges for each of their medicines, whereas some other long-term medical conditions qualify for exemption. The National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC) is concerned that the current situation may be adding a financial barrier to patients taking all the medicines they need for their treatment to be effective.
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