Ulcerative Colitis

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person, but they can have a significant impact on your daily life. While they can be constant, symptoms often become either worse (flare-ups) or better (remission) for periods of time. How severe your symptoms are also depends on how much of your large intestine is affected.

The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

• diarrhoea, often containing blood, mucus, or pus

• abdominal pain and cramps

• rectal bleeding

• frequent and/or urgent bowel movements

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• loss of appetite

• weight loss

Sometimes, during a flare-up, you may experience additional symptoms elsewhere in your body known as extra-intestinal symptoms. These may include:

• pain and swelling in your joints

• mouth ulcers

• erythema nodosum (swollen fat under the skin, which causes bumps)

• irritation and redness of your eyes

• bone issues such as osteoporosis

The cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to be an autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

Exactly why this happens is not yet clear, but experts suggest it could be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

For most people, there’s no obvious trigger for their flare-ups. However, it’s thought that a gut infection could be a cause, and stress may also be a factor.

At your first Welbeck consultation, you will be seen by a consultant gastroenterologist. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll also perform a physical examination. 

You’ll likely need to have some tests, such as blood tests, stool samples, an MRI or CT scan, and a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. These will help rule out any other conditions or health issues so the correct diagnosis can be made.

As the cause is largely unknown, it isn’t possible to prevent ulcerative colitis. However, you can reduce the frequency of flare-ups by: 

• eating a balanced diet and avoiding foods that seem to trigger your symptoms

• staying hydrated

• managing stress

Ulcerative colitis is usually manageable; however, around 25% of people with the condition eventually develop inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the bones, joints, eyes, skin, and liver.

Potential complications of ulcerative colitis include: 

• dehydration

• severe bleeding

• anaemia 

• an increased risk of developing colon cancer

• osteoporosis

• liver damage (primary sclerosing cholangitis) 

• problems with growth and development in children

• a hole in your colon (perforation) 

• toxic megacolon – a rare complication where toxins from your colon seep into your bloodstream 

• blood clots

The main treatments for ulcerative colitis are medications and surgery. 

Medications are normally tried first, and surgery is usually only considered when medicines haven't worked to relieve your symptoms. 

Treatment for ulcerative colitis may include: 

• medications to help reduce inflammation in your large intestine and to help induce and maintain remission 

• surgery to remove all or part of your colon. This can either involve creating an internal (ileoanal pouch) to collect faeces and pass them out of your body normally, or an ileostomy where your small intestine is diverted out of an opening in your abdomen called a stoma. In some cases, the stoma is temporary and can be closed up once your bowel has healed

At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.