Ulcerative Colitis: Common Colon Pain in Women

Each year, millions of women suffer from, and seek treatment for, Ulcerative Colitis. Unfortunately, for many women, symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis may have lingered for quite some time, resulting in a significant condition in which the abdominal lining, colon and rectum bleed on a regular basis. For women suffering from severe abdominal pain and bleeding, understanding the symptoms and treatment of Ulcerative Colitis may lead to improved quality of life and reduced risk for complications associated with aging.

Ulcerative Colitis is a term that encompasses a variety of symptoms and causes. The most common train of thought lends the origin of Ulcerative Colitis to a weakened gastrointestinal system commonly associated with poor diet, heredity and aging however the true medical origin is relatively unknown.

Women who suffer from Ulcerative Colitis generally exhibit symptoms such as pain in the pelvis and abdomen, bloating, rectal pain and even rectal bleeding. In addition to pain, some women will exhibit more extensive Ulcerative Colitis symptoms such as fever, development of hemorrhoids and even coughing or spitting up blood. When untreated, the Ulcerative Colitis can render a woman unable to perform activities of daily living, may require surgical intervention and, in rare cases, can be life threatening. When suffering from symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis, a gastroenterologist should be consulted as the condition will need to be differentiated from other common GI disorders and diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn’s disease.

When diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, the gastroenterologist should begin a series of prescription medications to facilitate the remedy of symptoms and, once cured, continue to administer the medications in an effort to prevent the Ulcerative Colitis from returning; a sort of remission process. .

Because Ulcerative Colitis is not directly attributed to any one known factor, preventing the recurrence of Ulcerative Colitis may be achieved through a combination approach to care. In addition to prescription medications, women suffering from Ulcerative Colitis will generally restrict dietary programs including a restriction in consumption of fresh fruits, caffeine and dairy products. Unfortunately, because the nutrients found in dairy and fruit, namely fiber, vitamin C and calcium, may be depleted due to dietary restrictions, women with Ulcerative Colitis are highly encouraged to use a multi vitamin daily.

When untreated, Ulcerative Colitis can lead to life long complications for women and may even result in premature death. For this reason, in rare cases, when Ulcerative Colitis symptoms are quite significant, the gastroenterologist may recommend hospital admission to aggressively resolve symptoms through a surgical procedure to remove the large intestine. While this is rare, it is recommended that the woman suffering from Ulcerative Colitis be open to the surgical possibility as a necessary course of treatment of the Ulcerative Colitis.