D'Angelo Saxon
SW19ULLS
Apologies if this has been posted before. Just wondering what kind of illness it was...
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What Exactly IS Colitis?
- Thread starter D'Angelo Saxon
- Start date
Highfields Seagull
Well-known member
I'm guessing its inflammation of the colon.
Robot Chicken
Seriously?
I was told it's to do with the mucus that's produced in the colon that causes inflammation.
oldham gull
Active member
Enjoy your lunch
Barnet Seagull
Luxury Player
It's bad shit.
Gritt23
New member
A friend of mine suffers from it.
There are various foods that he has to avoid as it exacerbates the condition, which causes him to be very ill. Basically sleeps all day, can get absolutely no energy, and loses weight fast.
He takes steroids for it, but they are quite possibly on a 'banned list' for pro sportsman! He's okay now because he avoids all alcohol, coffee, and has drastically cut down on diary products.
Okay is one thing for the likes of you and I, but to try and reach the levels of fitness that a pro footballer needs is quite another. When it first came out that Piercy suffered from this, I asked my mate, and his reaction was that he could believe how difficult it must be to try and be a professional sportsman with this illness.
Sounds to me like John has been a bit of a hero trying as hard as he has for this long to overcome it. To reach the fitness required must have been a monumental effort, but to maintain the fitness for any period of time has just proved impossible.
Good luck John, count me in for any benefit dinner etc.
There are various foods that he has to avoid as it exacerbates the condition, which causes him to be very ill. Basically sleeps all day, can get absolutely no energy, and loses weight fast.
He takes steroids for it, but they are quite possibly on a 'banned list' for pro sportsman! He's okay now because he avoids all alcohol, coffee, and has drastically cut down on diary products.
Okay is one thing for the likes of you and I, but to try and reach the levels of fitness that a pro footballer needs is quite another. When it first came out that Piercy suffered from this, I asked my mate, and his reaction was that he could believe how difficult it must be to try and be a professional sportsman with this illness.
Sounds to me like John has been a bit of a hero trying as hard as he has for this long to overcome it. To reach the fitness required must have been a monumental effort, but to maintain the fitness for any period of time has just proved impossible.
Good luck John, count me in for any benefit dinner etc.
D'Angelo Saxon
SW19ULLS
- Thread starter
- #9
Gritt23 said:Sounds to me like John has been a bit of a hero trying as hard as he has for this long to overcome it. To reach the fitness required must have been a monumental effort, but to maintain the fitness for any period of time has just proved impossible.
Good luck John, count me in for any benefit dinner etc.
Too right!
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
So the stories about Piercey out on the piss at weekends then couldn't have been true 
I wouldn't have thought so no. MM described him yesterday on Seagulls World as "doing everything he could" to get fit so it seems unlikely he would go an exacerbate a condition which makes him very ill and means he can't play professional football.
I have also seen many of the squad out on the town before, but never him. Read into that what you will.
I have also seen many of the squad out on the town before, but never him. Read into that what you will.
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
samparish said:
Maybe you don't go near Eastbourne ?
Mustela Furo
Advantage Player
- Jul 7, 2003
- 1,481
Ulcerative Colitis
This is a disorders where the bowel becomes red and inflamed. In ulcerative colitis the lining of the large bowel is involved.
What is the cause of Ulcerative Colitis?
The cause or causes are not known. It is possible that affected people have an abnormal defense mechanism against the bacteria which are normally present in the gut. A long-term reaction to a particular bacterium or virus may be important. People in some families are more susceptible than in others, but the chance of passing this tendency on to children is small.
What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
The disease can give trouble on and off throughout life. Most of the time, most sufferers feel well with no symptoms - this means the disease is inactive (in remission). The disease flares up from time to time and becomes active (relapse). At each flare-up the symptoms can be better, worse or the same as the time before. The main symptoms are:
frequent and urgent need to pass blood and mucus, there may be some stool as well;
diarrhoea in more severe cases;
abdominal pain, often just before a stool is passed;
a general feeling of tiredness.
If only the final part of the bowel (rectum) is involved, the disease is called proctitis and the usual symptoms are passage of blood and mucus without diarrhoea.
How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a sigmoidoscopy if ulcerative colitis is suspected. An instrument with a light in it is passed through the back passage (anus) to look at the lining (mucosa). A tiny snip (biopsy) of mucosa will be taken and inspected under a microscope. Tests may also include:
stool specimens, to exclude infection;
blood samples;
barium enema X-ray (barium liquid is run into the bowel through the anus);
colonoscopy (under sedation, a flexible telescope is passed through the anus all round the colon).
sometimes a flexible telescope is passed through the mouth to inspect and take samples from the stomach and upper intestine (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy).
Are other parts of the body ever affected?
Aphthous ulcers of the mouth are common.
Less commonly:
the skin may be affected with warm, red tender lumps (erythema nodosum) or, very rarely, ulceration (pyoderma) usually on the legs;
pain and swelling may occur in the joints (arthritis), lower back (sacro-iliitis), or pain and stiffening in the spine (ankylosing spondylitis);
Inflammation may also rarely involve:
the liver (hepatitis)
bile ducts (sclerosing cholangitis)
eyes (episcleritis, iritis, uveitis making them red and painful);
children with severe disease may grow at a reduced rate.
How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease treated?
Ulcerative colitis can be cured by surgical removal of the colon. For most patients the disease can be controlled by drugs.
Steroids (eg. prednisolone) are used during an attack to damp down the inflammation. Steroids may be given as tablets, enemas, rectal foams or suppositories. Severe attacks will be treated in hospital with intravenous steroids. Another drug, cyclosporin is sometimes given with intravenous steroids.
Some steroids are poorly absorbed from the bowel or are so rapidly inactivated once absorbed that side effects are reduced.
Sulphasalazine, mesalazine or olsalazine are given during an attack and for long-term use to keep the disease in remission toprevent inflammation from developing. These drugs may be given as tablets, enemas or suppositories.
Azathioprine is used for a few patients with chronic active disease who would otherwise need repeated courses of prednisolone.
If only the rectum is inflamed, treatment may just be with enemas, rectal foams or suppositories.
When is surgery necessary?
With ulcerative colitis most people never need an operation. The colon may have to be removed surgically if:
a very severe attack of ulcerative colitis fails to respond to intensive medical treatment;
repeated attacks cause ill-health; or
serious pre-cancerous changes are found in the colon.
What operations are available for Ulcerative Colitis?
For most patients, a proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch is most suitable. This involves removal of the colon and the formation of a pouch to replace the rectum. The pouch is made from a segment of the small intestine and joined to the anus. The operation is often done in two stages. This means that the end of the remaining small intestine (ileum) is brought through the abdomen as a spout (ileostomy), which drains into a plastic bag, while the pouch heals and the bowel is then reconnected. Over about a year the pouch adapts with some reduction in the number of bowel movements a day.
For patients who do not have a good working muscle around the back passage, the most suitable operation is colectomy where the whole colon and rectum are removed, and ileostomy. Specialist nurses train the patient in how to care for the ileostomy. The ileostomy bag lies flat on the abdomen. It does not show even through bathing costumes. It should not interfere with any activities, including sexual intercourse.
No operation is perfect. Each has advantages and disadvantages. In each case, the choice of operation has to be made on an individual basis by the patient and surgeon. Although it is a big step to have an operation, it does mean that ulcerative colitis is cured permanently. Patients who are sufficiently ill to need surgery usually notice a great improvement in their general health after the operation.
Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
During remission, there are no restrictions on lifestyle.
Feelings and emotions
Inflammatory bowel disease is not caused by the emotional character of a person. The disease is obviously distressing at times and may lead to anxiety or depression when a sufferer has diarrhoea, pain and has to rush to the toilet. Accidents can occur (incontinence) and it is important that patients are prepared for them by taking extra underwear, pads and toilet tissue when the disease is active and are aware of where the nearest toilet is. Sufferers may need to explain to friends and people at work that they have a problem with the gut which means they have to rush to the toilet very suddenly.
Diet
In general, people with inflammatory bowel disease can eat what they like but it is important to maintain weight in adults and a normal rate of growth during childhood and adolescence. In a few people, milk can make symptoms worse, but the majority of sufferers can take milk products without harm. If some foods seem to upset a person they can be removed from the diet for a time and tried again when the attack has subsided.
Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease lead to Cancer?
Yes, but the circumstances under which this occurs are well understood. The risks are only substantial in patients with ulcerative colitis if their disease:
affects most of, or the whole, colon;
has been present for many years.
It is sometimes possible to detect warning changes (dysplasia) in the bowel before cancer develops. Some doctors advise patients at risk to have regular annual colonoscopic examinations to detect such changes. If they are found, the person is advised to have the colon removed.
The cancer risk can be one factor to be taken into account when deciding whether an operation should be advised for chronic ulcerative colitis. The risks are much less for patients with milder ulcerative colitis. Regular medical review is likely to reduce any cancer risk.
What are the main drug used in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Anti-inflammatory steroids
These are the main form of treatment when symptoms are present because the bowel is inflamed. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and may have side effects, particularly if given for long periods of time. These can include:
rounding of the face
increased appetite and weight gain
changes in mood
muscle wasting
cataracts
diabetes
high blood pressure
thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)
Newer steroids (eg. budesonide) can reduce these side effects
Steroids are natural products produced by the body. During treatment, the body's own production decreases, so steroid treatment must always be reduced gradually to allow the body's production to resume. Some patients feel 'low' as steroids are reduced; a few require special measures to restart the body's own production. Patients on steroids should carry a Steroid Card to ensure this is known if they are in an accident. Anyone taking steroids should never run out of tablets as stopping treatment abruptly can be very dangerous.
Sulphasalazine
This drug has been used for many years. Its main role is in reducing the chance of having a relapse in ulcerative colitis. About 10% of patients are unable to take it because of the following side effects:
headaches
rashes
nausea
anaemia
In the majority of patients, the side effects are due to the sulphur content of the drug and they will be able to take similar drugs which don't have sulphur in them. Sulphasalazine may cause harmless orange discoloration of the urine and temporarily reduce fertility in men while it is taken.
Mesalazine
Mesalazine has less side effects and can be used as an alternative to sulphasalazine. Different forms are available designed to release mesalazine in different parts of the intestine.
Mesalazine tablets should not be chewed. They should be swallowed whole with a drink.
Olsalazine
This drug releases mesalazine in the colon. It sometimes causes mild diarrhoea.
Azathioprine
This is an anti-inflammatory drug which works in a different way to steroids. It is useful for patients whose disease is difficult to control or who have problems in reducing their steroid doses. It is known as a steroid-sparing drug. It takes several weeks to become fully effective and will be prescribed for many months or longer provided that it is effective and well tolerated. A few people develop nausea, fever, or severe abdominal pain soon after starting the drug, in which case it should be stopped. Regular blood checks are necessary with this drug as it can cause blood disorders.
Conclusion
Inflammatory bowel disease can be disabling during active phases but can usually be controlled by diet and/or drugs. Ulcerative colitis can be cured by surgery but this major operation is advised only when the disorder is severe. By the means described, most sufferers are able to live full lives even though their condition is troublesome from time to time.
This is a disorders where the bowel becomes red and inflamed. In ulcerative colitis the lining of the large bowel is involved.
What is the cause of Ulcerative Colitis?
The cause or causes are not known. It is possible that affected people have an abnormal defense mechanism against the bacteria which are normally present in the gut. A long-term reaction to a particular bacterium or virus may be important. People in some families are more susceptible than in others, but the chance of passing this tendency on to children is small.
What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?
The disease can give trouble on and off throughout life. Most of the time, most sufferers feel well with no symptoms - this means the disease is inactive (in remission). The disease flares up from time to time and becomes active (relapse). At each flare-up the symptoms can be better, worse or the same as the time before. The main symptoms are:
frequent and urgent need to pass blood and mucus, there may be some stool as well;
diarrhoea in more severe cases;
abdominal pain, often just before a stool is passed;
a general feeling of tiredness.
If only the final part of the bowel (rectum) is involved, the disease is called proctitis and the usual symptoms are passage of blood and mucus without diarrhoea.
How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a sigmoidoscopy if ulcerative colitis is suspected. An instrument with a light in it is passed through the back passage (anus) to look at the lining (mucosa). A tiny snip (biopsy) of mucosa will be taken and inspected under a microscope. Tests may also include:
stool specimens, to exclude infection;
blood samples;
barium enema X-ray (barium liquid is run into the bowel through the anus);
colonoscopy (under sedation, a flexible telescope is passed through the anus all round the colon).
sometimes a flexible telescope is passed through the mouth to inspect and take samples from the stomach and upper intestine (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy).
Are other parts of the body ever affected?
Aphthous ulcers of the mouth are common.
Less commonly:
the skin may be affected with warm, red tender lumps (erythema nodosum) or, very rarely, ulceration (pyoderma) usually on the legs;
pain and swelling may occur in the joints (arthritis), lower back (sacro-iliitis), or pain and stiffening in the spine (ankylosing spondylitis);
Inflammation may also rarely involve:
the liver (hepatitis)
bile ducts (sclerosing cholangitis)
eyes (episcleritis, iritis, uveitis making them red and painful);
children with severe disease may grow at a reduced rate.
How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease treated?
Ulcerative colitis can be cured by surgical removal of the colon. For most patients the disease can be controlled by drugs.
Steroids (eg. prednisolone) are used during an attack to damp down the inflammation. Steroids may be given as tablets, enemas, rectal foams or suppositories. Severe attacks will be treated in hospital with intravenous steroids. Another drug, cyclosporin is sometimes given with intravenous steroids.
Some steroids are poorly absorbed from the bowel or are so rapidly inactivated once absorbed that side effects are reduced.
Sulphasalazine, mesalazine or olsalazine are given during an attack and for long-term use to keep the disease in remission toprevent inflammation from developing. These drugs may be given as tablets, enemas or suppositories.
Azathioprine is used for a few patients with chronic active disease who would otherwise need repeated courses of prednisolone.
If only the rectum is inflamed, treatment may just be with enemas, rectal foams or suppositories.
When is surgery necessary?
With ulcerative colitis most people never need an operation. The colon may have to be removed surgically if:
a very severe attack of ulcerative colitis fails to respond to intensive medical treatment;
repeated attacks cause ill-health; or
serious pre-cancerous changes are found in the colon.
What operations are available for Ulcerative Colitis?
For most patients, a proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch is most suitable. This involves removal of the colon and the formation of a pouch to replace the rectum. The pouch is made from a segment of the small intestine and joined to the anus. The operation is often done in two stages. This means that the end of the remaining small intestine (ileum) is brought through the abdomen as a spout (ileostomy), which drains into a plastic bag, while the pouch heals and the bowel is then reconnected. Over about a year the pouch adapts with some reduction in the number of bowel movements a day.
For patients who do not have a good working muscle around the back passage, the most suitable operation is colectomy where the whole colon and rectum are removed, and ileostomy. Specialist nurses train the patient in how to care for the ileostomy. The ileostomy bag lies flat on the abdomen. It does not show even through bathing costumes. It should not interfere with any activities, including sexual intercourse.
No operation is perfect. Each has advantages and disadvantages. In each case, the choice of operation has to be made on an individual basis by the patient and surgeon. Although it is a big step to have an operation, it does mean that ulcerative colitis is cured permanently. Patients who are sufficiently ill to need surgery usually notice a great improvement in their general health after the operation.
Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
During remission, there are no restrictions on lifestyle.
Feelings and emotions
Inflammatory bowel disease is not caused by the emotional character of a person. The disease is obviously distressing at times and may lead to anxiety or depression when a sufferer has diarrhoea, pain and has to rush to the toilet. Accidents can occur (incontinence) and it is important that patients are prepared for them by taking extra underwear, pads and toilet tissue when the disease is active and are aware of where the nearest toilet is. Sufferers may need to explain to friends and people at work that they have a problem with the gut which means they have to rush to the toilet very suddenly.
Diet
In general, people with inflammatory bowel disease can eat what they like but it is important to maintain weight in adults and a normal rate of growth during childhood and adolescence. In a few people, milk can make symptoms worse, but the majority of sufferers can take milk products without harm. If some foods seem to upset a person they can be removed from the diet for a time and tried again when the attack has subsided.
Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease lead to Cancer?
Yes, but the circumstances under which this occurs are well understood. The risks are only substantial in patients with ulcerative colitis if their disease:
affects most of, or the whole, colon;
has been present for many years.
It is sometimes possible to detect warning changes (dysplasia) in the bowel before cancer develops. Some doctors advise patients at risk to have regular annual colonoscopic examinations to detect such changes. If they are found, the person is advised to have the colon removed.
The cancer risk can be one factor to be taken into account when deciding whether an operation should be advised for chronic ulcerative colitis. The risks are much less for patients with milder ulcerative colitis. Regular medical review is likely to reduce any cancer risk.
What are the main drug used in Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Anti-inflammatory steroids
These are the main form of treatment when symptoms are present because the bowel is inflamed. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and may have side effects, particularly if given for long periods of time. These can include:
rounding of the face
increased appetite and weight gain
changes in mood
muscle wasting
cataracts
diabetes
high blood pressure
thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)
Newer steroids (eg. budesonide) can reduce these side effects
Steroids are natural products produced by the body. During treatment, the body's own production decreases, so steroid treatment must always be reduced gradually to allow the body's production to resume. Some patients feel 'low' as steroids are reduced; a few require special measures to restart the body's own production. Patients on steroids should carry a Steroid Card to ensure this is known if they are in an accident. Anyone taking steroids should never run out of tablets as stopping treatment abruptly can be very dangerous.
Sulphasalazine
This drug has been used for many years. Its main role is in reducing the chance of having a relapse in ulcerative colitis. About 10% of patients are unable to take it because of the following side effects:
headaches
rashes
nausea
anaemia
In the majority of patients, the side effects are due to the sulphur content of the drug and they will be able to take similar drugs which don't have sulphur in them. Sulphasalazine may cause harmless orange discoloration of the urine and temporarily reduce fertility in men while it is taken.
Mesalazine
Mesalazine has less side effects and can be used as an alternative to sulphasalazine. Different forms are available designed to release mesalazine in different parts of the intestine.
Mesalazine tablets should not be chewed. They should be swallowed whole with a drink.
Olsalazine
This drug releases mesalazine in the colon. It sometimes causes mild diarrhoea.
Azathioprine
This is an anti-inflammatory drug which works in a different way to steroids. It is useful for patients whose disease is difficult to control or who have problems in reducing their steroid doses. It is known as a steroid-sparing drug. It takes several weeks to become fully effective and will be prescribed for many months or longer provided that it is effective and well tolerated. A few people develop nausea, fever, or severe abdominal pain soon after starting the drug, in which case it should be stopped. Regular blood checks are necessary with this drug as it can cause blood disorders.
Conclusion
Inflammatory bowel disease can be disabling during active phases but can usually be controlled by diet and/or drugs. Ulcerative colitis can be cured by surgery but this major operation is advised only when the disorder is severe. By the means described, most sufferers are able to live full lives even though their condition is troublesome from time to time.