ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND PROCTITIS

These conditions are characterised by inflammation (swelling, reddening & bleeding on touch) of the lining of the rectum & colon (large bowel). Click on Diagram of The Gastro-intestinal (Digestive) Tract to see picture. This results is passing loose motions with mucous (which looks like clear jelly) & blood. Abdominal (tummy) pain is not a usual accompanying feature.

The cause is unknown. It is thought that a minor chemical abnormality in the cells lining the colon may be responsible for this condition. Sometimes an infection of the digestive tract with a bacteria or virus can set off this condition. Diagnosis can only be made with certainty after a small piece of the lining of the intestine is removed (biopsy) & examined under the microscope. This biopsy can be taken through a small tube (called a sigmoidoscope) inserted into the anus & can be carried out at the first consultation. If the diagnosis is confirmed, a more thorough examination of the whole of the large bowel (which is approximately 1.5 - 1.8 meters long) using a colonoscope is often necessary. This involves a 2-day Bowel Preparation (using strong laxatives) & admission to hospital for half a day so that Colonoscopy can be carried out under light sedation.

Treatment may involve the use of suppositories & long-term medication taken by mouth.

Sometimes this condition is self-limiting, i.e. can disappear forever but more often it flares up from time to time ("comes & goes") & the purpose of long-term medication is to stop these flare-ups. Once the condition is stabilised, 6 - 12 monthly follow up visits are necessary to ensure all is well. Patients with Ulcerative Colitis have a slightly increased chance of developing Colonic cancer, which makes regular follow up that much more important.