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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: ulcerative colitis + ulcerative colitis: + colitis  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Dad hits the road for daughter Berkeley Independent, SC - When Craig Nessel?s 11-year-old daughter Emma was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in May, he found himself in the same predicament suffered by many ... Press of Atlantic City Guts and Glory 5K Run set for Aug. 9 Press of Atlantic City, NJ - Aug 1, 2008 Crohn's and a related disease, ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel ... Medical support groups to meet monthly Brick Township Bulletin all 2 news articles » Salix earnings hurt by generics News & Observer, NC - Colazal, a treatment for ulcerative colitis, was responsible for a 38 percent drop in total revenue in the three months ended June 30. ... Salix may get more pressure from generics News & Observer all 3 news articles »  SLXP Salix swings to loss in 2Q Bizjournals.com, NC - ... because concerns from the Food and Drug Administration have delayed the launch of the tablet form of ulcerative colitis treatment balsalazide to 2009. ... UPDATE 1-Salix posts narrower-than-expected Q2 loss Reuters all 14 news articles »  SLXP Vanderbilt co-sponsoring free event on living with Crohn's disease ... Vanderbilt University News, TN - Jul 30, 2008 "The Road to a Healthier Life with Crohn?s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis," a free event for patients, families and health care professionals about ... Second pipeline blow for Alizyme Business Weekly, UK - Jul 30, 2008 Alizyme plc, suffered another huge blow to its product pipeline with the announcement that its ulcerative colitis drug, COLAL-PRED, had missed a key ...LON:AZM Shire Delivers Strong Quarter: Driven by $243m of New Product ... MarketWatch - Jul 31, 2008 LIALDA(R)/MEZAVANT - Ulcerative Colitis - On April 1, 2008 the product was launched in Ireland as MEZAVANT XL and, following approval in Luxembourg on June ... Dynepo dropped as Shire places its faith in Vyvanse for growth Pharma Times (subscription) all 39 news articles »  SHPGY Exeter woman raises awareness for Chron's and Colitis Foundation Exeter News-Letter, NH - Jul 15, 2008 By Jennifer Feals EXETER ? Betsy Arnold feels she may be at the end of treatment options for the ulcerative colitis she has suffered from for 15 years. ... Alternative medicine may relieve digestive disorders ABC7Chicago.com,  USA - Jul 31, 2008 It wants to know if mind body techniques really impact symptoms of ulcerative colitis. "A variety of research surveys show that about 30-50 percent of our ... TODAY ON PHARMALIVE.COM PharmaLive.com (press release), PA - Jul 24, 2008 Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the colon for which there is an unmet medical need for a therapy that is both effective ...LON:AZM

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation (painful swelling) and sores (ulcers) in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon (large intestine), although it may affect the entire organ. Ulcerative colitis may also be called colitis, ileitis or proctitis.

This disease is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms are very similar to inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease.

About half of all patients have mild symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea (most common symptoms)
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rectal bleeding
• Loss of body fluids and nutrients

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Other medical problems that crop up as a result of ulcerative colitis include arthritis, eye inflammation, liver disease, osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), skin rashes, anemia and kidney stones. These conditions are usually mild and go away when the colitis is treated.

Affecting men and women equally, ulcerative colitis most often occurs in people 15 to 40 years of age. As with other inflammatory bowel disease conditions, ulcerative colitis has no known cause. The disease appears to run in some families. There is also some evidence that the body's immune (disease-fighting) system reacts to a virus or bacteria by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. However, this has not been proven.

Stress does not cause ulcerative colitis nor do certain foods or food products, but these factors may set off symptoms in some people.

About five percent of people with ulcerative colitis develop colon cancer. The risk increases with the duration of the disease and how much of the colon is involved.

IBD specialists first perform a complete physical exam and then a number of tests to help determine whether ulcerative colitis is present. Blood tests check for anemia and high white blood count - conditions that can indicate bleeding or inflammation somewhere in the body. A sample of the patient's stool can also provide clues of bleeding or infection in the colon or rectum.

To see inside the colon and rectum, the doctor may perform a colonoscopy. An instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the anus. The long, flexible lighted tube connects to a computer screen and reveals any swelling, bleeding or ulcers on the colon wall. During this procedure, the doctor may also take a small sample of tissue to study under the microscope (biopsy).

A barium enema X-ray of the colon can shed more light on the patient's condition. For this procedure, the colon is filled with barium, a chalky white solution. The barium shows up on X-ray film to allow the doctor a clear view of and any problems on the colon.

Our team of IBD doctors design treatment plans for ulcerative colitis sufferers based on how severe the case is. Patients experience the condition differently, so treatment is adjusted for each individual. Emotional and psychological support is also an important part of any treatment plan.

Many patients have months or even years when the condition disappears. Unfortunately, most symptoms eventually come back. No one can predict when or for how long. A person with ulcerative colitis may need frequent checkups and regular medical care for some time.

Among the strategies used by IBD specialists are:

• Drug therapy
• Surgery

Patients are encouraged to consider all factors (needs, personal lifestyle and expectations) before making the decision to go ahead with surgical options.