How this Affects my

Patient
Symptoms/Side Effects

Bloody Diarrhea
o

4-5 10-25 stools

per day

Abdominal

pain/cramping
Fatigue
Diminished Appetite

with weight loss

Low-grade fever
Nausea with Vomiting
Dehydration
Muscle Weakness
Arthritis

R.D. has had many episodes of urgent

bloody diarrhea. He lost around 55 pounds
in 2007 and now eats a very healthy diet
including low fats. Having a low fat, highcalorie, high-protein diet helps reduce the
number of colitis episodes. Still on
occasion R.D. will experience urgent
diarrheal episodes. He still is receiving
Remicade infusions to decrease his
symptoms and help with mucosal healing.
R.D. has altered his lifestyle to live with
this disease and has a bright outlook on not
letting it disturb his everyday life.

(Sommers, 2013)

20% of cases occur before the

individual reaches age 20
Peak incidence occurs between
ages 10-15 years old
Females affected more than males
Second peak evidence occurs ages
55-60 years old
Most prevalent in Whites and
African Americans
(Sommers, 2013)

Ulcerative Colitis is a
chronic inflammatory
Ulcerative
disease of theColitis
colon
(Sommers, 2013). The
disease usually starts
in the rectum and
spreads up into the
colon (Sommers, 2013).
Gradually, multiple
ulcerations and
abscesses form at the
inflamed areas
(Sommers, 2013).
Once the disease has
progressed, scar tissue
is formed over the
colon mucosa leading
to altered absorptive
capabilities (Sommers,
2013).
This disease ranges
from mild to lifethreatening. It can
either be localized in
one area of the bowel or
spread throughout
(Sommers, 2013). It
can lead to multiple
complications dealing
with absorption
deficiencies (Sommers,
2013).

Random Facts
Some drugs for treating
ulcerative colitis may cause
fatigue but it is important to
stay active. Even mild
exercise can help reduce stress,
relieve depression and
normalize bowel function
(Torpy, 2012).

TREATMENT
Drug therapy is the primary
treatment option.
Sulfasalazine is the primary
drug used for this disease to
achieve remission (Sommers,
2013).
Maintaining a healthy diet that
is low-fat, high calorie and
lactose-free aids in reduction
of symptoms (Sommers, 2013).
Surgery is an option when
other treatments fail or
bleeding/perforation occur.
This is a permanent cure for
ulcerative colitis (Sommers,
2013).

This disease can cause anxiety

and depression in patients
(Torpy, 2012). It is important
to address these issues. The
nature of this disease requiring
frequent bathroom visits and
unfavorable bodily functions can
cause psychological distress to
patients (Torpy, 2012).

It is important to teach the

patient that rest, relaxation,
stress reduction and a wellbalanced diet are crucial in
order to heal (Sommers, 2013).
The patient needs to seek
medical attention immediately
if hemorrhaging occurs
(Sommers, 2013).
There is no cure but it is
possible to go into remission
with ulcerative colitis
therefore it is important to be

References

Sommers, M.S. (2013). Diseases and

Disorders (4th ed.) [Mobile application
software]. Retrieved from
http://www.skyscape.com/estore/productdeta
il.aspx?productid=219

Torpy, J. (2012). Ulcerative colitis. The

Journal of the American Medical
Association, 307(1), 104. doi:
10.1001/jama.2011.1889