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Case Study: Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic, idiopathic disease of recurring inflammation that affects mostly the colon. Similar to Chron’s disease (Chron’s), Ulcerative Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that is classified as auto immune. The difference between Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis is the location of the inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the mucosal barrier is broken down in the intestine. Damage to the mucosal barrier and epithelial cells leads to an increase in gut permeability. With Chron’s inflammation can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, while Ulcerative Colitis is only present in the large intestine also known as the colon. Occurring more often than Chron’s, North America and Northern Europe …show more content…

There are many treatment options for patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis with a similar goal of remission in mind. The main line of prescriptions used to treatment Ulcerative Colitis are corticosteroids, antibiotics, aminosalicylates, and immunomodulators. The aminosalycilates or salicylic acid is the most common treatment and comes in oral form or enema (given rectally) form for a more local approach. Aminosalicylates work as an anti-inflammatory when broken down by the gut flora. During acute episodes’ corticosteroids are used to control inflammation and to help achieve remission. Corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune sytem, so long term use of corticosteroids can suppress the can hinder adrenal sufficiency and cause chemical dependency. Antibiotics are usually ineffective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis but can help with initial symptoms and complications like an infection.. Immunodialators are the newest drug for treatment and are used in patients with long term steroid use, they are effective in suppressing the natural killer cell activity and t-cell function. Though effective, the side effects of this drug class include pancreatitis, diarrhea, and …show more content…

“A study was performed with nicotine patches or gum added with previous medication, 17 out of 35 patients in the nicotine group went into complete remission compared with 11 out of 35 in the placebo group”(Head 259) It is theorized that the nicotine causes increased production of mucus in the mucosal barrier and shrinks blood vessels which lowers inflammation.(Guslandi, 482) Although the side effects are discouraging,( nausea, lightheadedness, and headaches) there is some proof that nicotine helped UC patients into remission along with prescription medication. Unexpectedly heparin was also found to improve symptoms, “patients with UC have a greater risk of developing coagulation problems such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In treating patients for DVT with heparin, an improvement in UC was noted.” (Head,

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