Nonspecific ulcerative colitis - inflammation of the mucosa

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis is a disease of the large intestine that is inflammatory.

The exact reasons for the appearance of ulcerative colitis are not clear and at the present time, although it is obvious that improper diet and alcohol use worsen the situation.

Presumably a number of factors contributing to the development of colitis have been identified. His treatment takes into account the stage and form of the disease, and the success depends on how far the inflammation has spread.

Structure of large intestine

Intestine can be divided into two sections - thin and thick. As already mentioned above, nonspecific ulcerative colitis is a disease of the large intestine.

The large intestine begins, adjacent to the last section of the small intestine, and ends with the anal opening.

Combining several departments, the large intestine is 1.5 meters in length.

Its width from department to department is gradually narrowing. If the diameter of the caecum can be between 7 and 14 cm, then in the straight line it does not exceed 4 cm.

The classification of the large intestine departments depends on their physiological characteristics and location( from the beginning to the end):

• the caecum is the shortest and widest departmentIntestines( about 7 cm long);
• the ascending colon compartment is closer to the right side. She rises to the hypochondrium, passing into the right bend. Its length is 0.24 m;
• the transverse colon continues to bend the ascending colon, advancing to the navel zone. Above it is a liver, a large curvature of the stomach and the spleen, and below are the loops of the small intestine. This is the longest section of the colon, whose length is approximately 0.5 m;
• The descending part of the colon lies in the abdominal cavity from the side of the left side. Its dimensions reach 0.22 m;The
• sigmoid colon occupies the pelvic area. Its length is 0.47 m;The
• completes the large intestine with a rectum. It is restricted by the muscles of the sphincter. The sizes of a gut approximately reach 14-15 see

As a rule, nonspecific colitis captures the last two parts of the intestine, but sometimes it can spread further.

The cavity of each department is limited to three types of tissues: mucous, submucosal and muscle layers. When the disease affects the mucous membrane.

But in some cases, the inflammatory process can also capture other tissues, causing perforation of the intestine.

The main functions of the colon are:

1. absorption( it is through the large intestine that electrolytes and water are absorbed);
2. accumulation and evacuation of processed food.

The functioning of the intestine can be affected by various causes: both malnutrition, and banal bad habits, medications, stress or sedentary lifestyle.

Etiology of nonspecific colitis

According to statistical data, this malaise is more susceptible to the male part of the population. Nonspecific colitis prefers 2 age groups:

1. 20 - 40 years;
2. 60 - 70 years.

The leader in the incidence of colitis is North America( 100 to 150 cases per 100,000 people), it is less common in Europe, and even less occurs in Asia or Africa.

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis in children is a rare occurrence. Among all cases, it takes only 8 - 10%.

The exact causes of development of nonspecific colitis have not yet been established. And although many will be convinced that it is caused by malnutrition, this is not so.

Improper diet will help to worsen the situation, but will not provoke it. There is an informal classification of adverse factors that cause malfunctions in the immune system and contribute to the development of the disease.

One can single out:

• is a factor of genetic predisposition that is inherited. The risk of the appearance of colitis increases when the ailment has already manifested itself in parents or relatives of the older generation;
• infectious factor;
• autoimmune factor;
• is an inflammatory factor.

There are different hypotheses about the development of nonspecific colitis of infectious nature. According to one of them, pathogenic organisms in themselves provoke the manifestation of the disease.

In this case, it is believed that the cause of colitis will be mycobacterium tuberculosis or listeria.

Another hypothesis suggests that a factor in the development of pathological processes is an inadequate immune response to non-pathogenic bacteria.

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The autoimmune factor implies the presence of its own antigens in the mucosa of the colon. At normal functioning the organism does not react to their presence, and at an inadequate response of immune system antibodies are formed to them.

With the interaction of its own antigens with the produced antibodies, the epithelial cells are destroyed, and the intestinal mucosa is thinned. If the pathology progresses, then inflammatory processes begin and ulcers are formed.

In addition to the above, there are other causes of inflammation.

For example, an aggressive immune response provokes the production of interleukins - biologically active substances synthesized by leukocytes. There are more than 30 varieties of interleukins, but 1, 2, 6 and 8 species are dangerous.

Particularly considered tumor necrosis factor( TNF).It provokes the destruction of cells affected by viruses or bacteria.

Some experts think that this factor is the main factor in the development of pathological processes in ulcerative colitis.

Drugs, regardless of the etiology of the disease, are used the same. The course of treatment is affected by the form and stage of the disease.

Development of nonspecific colitis

As a rule, pathological processes begin in the rectum, but eventually they can spread throughout the large intestine.

According to statistics, in 1/3 of all cases of inflammation the inflammation does not go beyond the direct and sigmoid colon.

But more often( in 40-50% of cases) the pathology has time to spread to other departments, capturing both the transverse colon and the descending colon.

Nonspecific colitis is quite common in more severe forms - about 20% of all patients suffer from inflammation and ulceration of the entire large intestine.

As a rule, this form of the disease implies complications. The treatment of such patients is especially difficult. It will require corticosteroid and other strong drugs and multiple studies.

Nonspecific colitis can occur in acute or chronic form with periods of remission and exacerbations.

Acute colitis is much less common than chronic, in about 10% of all cases.

If the time does not begin to treat the ailment, using non-folk remedies( removing only the symptoms), and the medications( acting on the causes), the disease quickly acquires a severe form.

The nature of the changes depends on the phase of the inflammatory process.

The acute phase is characterized by:

• reddening of mucous membranes;
• swelling of the intestinal wall;
• bleeding;
• ulceration of the gut;
• formation of pseudopolips.

Remission will be accompanied by mucosal atrophy, polyps and lymphatic infiltrates, a vascular pattern on the intestinal tissues will become invisible.

Chronic nonspecific colitis without treatment progresses, periods of exacerbations become longer, and the symptoms will be stronger.

The symptomatology of the disease also depends on the extent of the inflammation: the larger the lesion area of ​​the intestine, the more brighter the symptoms.

Colitis often accompanies complications, and at certain stages differential diagnosis is sometimes required.

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Some complications without treatment can lead to death, but timely competent treatment is not folk, and medicines will avoid dangerous situations.

In most cases, chronic nonspecific colitis can not permanently cure even radical therapeutic measures and the most modern drugs. If you follow a special diet during the remission and follow the doctor's instructions, you can extend the effect for a long time.

Symptoms of nonspecific colitis

In different forms of nonspecific colitis, its symptoms will also manifest itself in different ways.

The acute form of the disease is characterized by bright signs, and in the chronic course of the disease symptoms will increase with the development of pathological processes. Classification of symptoms of colitis divides it into a local and general.

Local symptoms are accompanied by:

• stool with splashes of blood mucus, and sometimes pus;
• infringements of a defecation;
• anemic;
• soreness in the lower abdomen;
• bloating.

Cal, in which blood clots of red or dark scarlet color can be seen, is one of the specific signs of colitis.

Blood enters the feces during passage through the affected areas of the intestine. It oozes from the intestinal mucosa under mechanical action.

Pathological changes in the intestinal wall cause dysfunction of peristalsis - in 95% of patients there are frequent defecation and swelling.

As a result, even small, but permanent blood loss can develop anemia. In the affected areas, suction functions will be impaired, resulting in the body not receiving enough nutrients.

Pain sensations will be of an unexpressed nature. Not intensive, they almost do not bother the patient, so self-diagnosis is difficult in the early stages of the disease.

But if the pain increases, then we can judge the large-scale lesion of the intestine.

Common symptoms include:

• loss of appetite and weight loss;
• joint and muscle pain;
• eye pathology;
• increase in temperature.

General symptoms of the disease are not always apparent, for example, an increase in temperature to 38 degrees is noted only in severe cases of nonspecific colitis.

Treatment of nonspecific colitis

Differential diagnosis in colitis will require the collection of anamnesis, symptomatology analysis and research.

Inspection begins with the eye, when there are "eye symptoms".In the presence of inflammatory processes in the iris, the body of the eye or mucous membranes and vascular membranes, they also have to be treated.

The doctor will check for the presence of other symptoms - whether the palpation is determined by abdominal swelling and hypersensitivity, whether the intestine is enlarged in size.

The specialist will prescribe a general blood test and its biochemistry, immunological analysis and stool analysis. The first drugs will be written out already at the stage of preliminary analysis.

The results of the research will require endoscopic diagnosis of the intestine with the help of rectosigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Irrigography( X-ray diagnostics) will help to exclude intestinal perforation and other complications.

The approach to therapy at different phases of the disease will differ: when exacerbation the patient needs bed rest, and when remission - no.

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Acute phase of colitis should not be treated with folk remedies, but you should turn to professional help. Folk remedies can be used during remission.

Therapeutic measures in colitis combine:

• medication;
• treatment of a special diet and prevention of further exacerbations, which is based on proper nutrition.

Drug medication for colitis involves the use of aminosalicylates and mesalazine, and in severe forms, corticosteroid drugs are also used. With lesions of the rectum, candles and enemas are used. Also in parallel, symptomatic treatment is performed and vitamins are prescribed.

folk remedies to cure acute colitis, and even more will be ineffective self-diagnosis and treatment of possible complications( cancer, peritonitis or secondary infection).

When a complication is detected, its treatment is parallel to the main one. The drugs used depend on the problem.

Diet with ulcerative colitis reduces the severity of symptoms and bowel trauma.

Diet rules during colitis:

• dishes should be cooked or baked;
• is available often, in small portions - 5 times a day and not later than 7 pm;
• food needs hypercaloric, with a high content of proteins and vitamins;
• food should be warm.

expert recommendations and treatment folk remedies agree that a diet for ulcerative colitis implies certain restrictions:

• banned alcohol and carbonated water;
• can not eat fatty meat, mushrooms, kiwi, plums or apricots, vegetables, raw, beans and corn, seeds or nuts;
• can not be used with any spices;
• should exclude products containing caffeine;
• you can not eat fast food and food like chips or crackers.

recommended diet will help relieve chronic colitis and prolong remission and timely diagnosis and competent treatment without self folk remedies can help prevent complications and cure the disease.