| Ulcerative
Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis, like Crohn's Disease,
is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
While we don't know what causes it,
we suspect that people who are genetically
predisposed to IBD, can get UC under
some unknown environmental trigger.
Once started, UC becomes a lifelong
condition because we don't know how
to cure it - though we do have ways
to control its symptoms.
 In
UC, a dysfunction of the gut's immune
system creates chronic inflammation
in the inner lining of the large intestines
- causing bleeding and poor absorption.
Long term complications include a
possibility of strictures and colon
cancer.
Treatments for UC include Steroids,
aminosalycilates, which are antiinflammatories,
immune system modulators like Mercaptopurines,
diet control, and possibly removal
of the colon.
This inflammatory, destructive disease
is limited to the large intestine,
and is an extreme example of the intolerance
of the immune system to the environment
of the colon. Like Irritable Bowel
Syndrome and Crohn’s Disease,
this disease is a major focus of clinical
and academic research which allows
a multi-faceted approach to treatment,
and access to the newest therapies.
If
you have a history of Ulcerative Colitis,
or if you have seen blood in your
stools, please call [ 415-600-3700]
or 
email
me to make an appointment.
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