Ulcerative colitis affects the daily life of about 750,000 Americans. If you have persistent symptoms of ulcerative colitis, you can find solutions to manage them at GI Associates of Maryland. On-site diagnostic technologies are available to confirm the disease accurately. The experienced medical team also tailors a care plan to relieve abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and other symptoms of ulcerative colitis so you can enjoy a higher quality of life. Call the Waldorf, Maryland office to schedule a consultation for ulcerative colitis symptoms, or book an appointment online today.
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes persistent inflammation in the lining of the colon or rectum. The condition may result from dysfunction in your immune system or from genetic factors that run in families.
Inflammation of ulcerative colitis can trigger frequent diarrhea. The disease also damages the cells in the lining and may cause ulcers, which can leak pus or blood. These issues can become debilitating and even life-threatening if left unmanaged.
GI Associates of Maryland offers comprehensive care for ulcerative colitis and other types of IBD. The medical team personalizes a care plan to relieve your symptoms and prevent additional damage to your colon and overall digestive tract.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at GI Associates of Maryland if you have recurrent diarrhea or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as:
Ulcerative colitis can also cause an urgent need for a bowel movement or difficulties passing stool.
The providers offer diagnostic tests on-site to confirm ulcerative colitis and classify its location in your digestive tract. Tests may include blood work, stool analysis, colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Treatment for ulcerative colitis typically involves a combination of medications and surgery.
The GI Associates of Maryland team can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to relieve persistent inflammation. They may also recommend medicines that suppress your immune system to prevent additional inflammation flare-ups.
Surgery (proctocolectomy) to remove your colon and rectum may be necessary for persistent or severe symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The team constructs a new pouch at the end of your small intestine and attaches it to your anus, so you can continue eliminating waste from your body.
If a pouch isn’t possible, you may need a bag connected to an opening in your abdomen. You wear this container on the outside of your body to collect stool.
Because ulcerative colitis can increase your risk for colon cancer, providers may also recommend routine cancer screenings during follow-up visits.
Call GI Associates of Maryland to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for ulcerative colitis symptoms or book an appointment online today.