Ulcerative Colitis North Carolina

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If you suffer from the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Carolina Digestive Health Associates can help find a North Carolina doctor near you. Inflammation of the bowels is an unpleasant, sometimes debilitating condition that affects many North Carolina residents. Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to chronic and long-lasting inflammation and pain in a person’s colon.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon, and the rectum. This condition leads to inflammation and painful ulcers that are chronic and lasting, leading to a reduced quality of life. These symptoms develop over time. Although ulcerative colitis does not have a cure, a prescribed course of treatment for North Carolina patients can manage the symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors of Ulcerative Colitis

Experts do not know the exact cause of ulcerative colitis. However, doctors believe that immune system issues may lead to some cases of ulcerative colitis. When a person develops a viral infection, the immune system usually sends white blood cells to attack the virus. With ulcerative colitis, the immune system tells cells to attack other cells in the digestive tract, leading to damage.

Certain risk factors aggravate a North Carolina resident’s risk of developing ulcerative colitis, such as:

• Race and ethnicity. White people and Ashkenazi Jewish people have the highest risk of ulcerative colitis.

• Age. People under the age of 30 usually develop ulcerative colitis at higher rates than older people.

• Genetics. People with direct relatives who have ulcerative colitis have a higher risk of developing the condition.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis symptoms vary based on the type of the condition, where it occurs, and the severity of inflammation. The most common symptoms include:

• Urge to defecate
• Unexplained weight loss
• Diarrhea with blood or pus
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Inability to defecate, despite having urges
• Rectal bleeding and pain
• Abdominal pain and cramps

Types of Ulcerative Colitis

North Carolina doctors classify ulcerative colitis based on where the condition develops in the body. Each condition has a different set of symptoms associated with it. Types of ulcerative colitis include:

• Left-sided colitis. Located in the rectum through the lower and descending colon. Includes symptoms such as cramping and pain on the left side of the abdomen and bloody diarrhea.

• Acute severe ulcerative colitis. A very rare form located in the entire colon. Symptoms include severe pain, fever, and an inability to eat.

• Pancolitis. Located in the entire colon. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and bloody diarrhea.

• Ulcerative proctitis. The mildest form of ulcerative colitis located in the rectum. The only symptom may be rectal bleeding.

• Proctosigmoiditis. Located in the rectum and lower colon. Symptoms include an inability to defecate, bloody diarrhea, cramps, and pain.

How Do Doctors Treat Ulcerative Colitis?

North Carolina doctors treat ulcerative colitis based on the type and severity of each person’s condition. Since the condition does not have a cure, the goal of treatment is to manage and relieve the symptoms. Surgery and medication are the most common courses of treatment. Surgeries may include colon removal and ileal pouch anal anastomosis.

Depending on the case, doctors may prescribe the following medications:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Immune system suppressors
• Pain relievers
• Antibiotics
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Iron supplements

Potential Ulcerative Colitis Complications

If left untreated, ulcerative colitis can lead to dangerous complications such as:

• A hole in the colon, known as perforated colon
• Severe dehydration
• Rapid swelling in the colon
• Osteoporosis
• Severe dehydration
• Severe blood loss
• Liver disease
• Skin, eye, and joint inflammation
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Increased risk of colon cancer

If a North Carolina ulcerative colitis patient experiences any of the following symptoms, he or she should seek medical attention immediately:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stool
• Fever that lasts more than a day or two
• Persistent diarrhea
• Diarrhea that disturbs sleep

Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates Today

Are you experiencing symptoms of ulcerative colitis or another digestive condition? Treatment and symptom relief are available. Call Carolina Digestive Health Associates at (704) 324-8776 today to find a North Carolina doctor near you.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.