Nowadays, with changes in people's lifestyles and dietary habits, there are more and more patients with intestinal diseases. Many people experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms, thinking that they have caught a cold and not paying much attention to them. In fact, if these conditions frequently occur, one should be alert to ulcerative colitis. If not taken seriously, it may cause serious consequences. What changes will occur in the body if suffering from ulcerative colitis? How to prevent ulcerative colitis in daily life? Next, let's take a look together.
1、 What changes will occur in the body when suffering from ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a non-specific chronic intestinal disease caused by chronic inflammation and ulcerative changes in the mucosa of the rectum and colon due to various reasons. It is prone to recurrence and can lead to serious consequences over time, such as intestinal bleeding, perforation, and even cancer.
Suffering from ulcerative colitis, the body usually undergoes the following changes:
1. Irregular bowel movements
Ulcerative colitis can cause diarrhea in patients, leading to abnormal bowel movements and stool characteristics. If the disease is mild, the patient's bowel movements are more frequent than normal, mostly loose stools, and may be accompanied by a small amount of bloody stools. As the condition worsens, inflammation and ulcers further develop, and the patient's intermittent diarrhea worsens. They can defecate dozens or even more times a day, and there may be pus or blood mixed in their stool. They do not defecate much each time, and they still have the urge to defecate after using the toilet.
2. Abdominal pain
Due to stimulation of the affected area of the intestine, patients may experience abdominal pain, which often occurs in the lower abdomen. As the condition progresses, it may also cause spasmodic pain in patients. At the same time, patients may feel the sensation of defecation, and the pain usually subsides after defecation compared to before.
3. Decreased appetite
Ulcerative colitis can have a certain impact on the patient's appetite, causing them to have no desire to eat or feel full after eating a little. It can also cause nausea and vomiting, which can lead to malnutrition and gradual weight loss over time, resulting in adverse consequences.
4. Other symptoms
As ulcerative colitis progresses, it will have a certain impact on the body's immune system, causing local joint swelling, inflammation, and other conditions in patients; And skin redness, oral ulcers, and other conditions.
Due to the easy recurrence of ulcerative colitis, it is usually treated with relevant drugs and combined with intestinal function regulators to alleviate patients' symptoms; If the condition is severe and drug treatment does not have a good effect, it is necessary to surgically remove part of the intestine to achieve the goal of treatment.
2、 How to prevent ulcerative colitis?
1. Adjust diet
① Try to eat less pickled, grilled, fried, hot pot and other foods in daily life, as these foods can stimulate the intestines and lead to the occurrence of diseases.
② A light diet with balanced nutrition. Proper supplementation of foods containing vitamins, high-quality protein, and fiber, such as whole grains, beans, eggs, lean meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables, is beneficial for intestinal health, preventing constipation and reducing the risk of ulcerative colitis.
③ Change unhealthy eating habits, avoid eating spoiled food, and make sure to handle food thoroughly to prevent the presence of bacteria, which can cause intestinal infections and increase the risk of ulcerative colitis.
④ Quit smoking and drinking, reduce the damage of smoking and alcohol to the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Persist in moderate exercise
Regular exercise can improve the body's resistance, promote metabolism, control weight, avoid obesity, and also improve gastrointestinal function, thereby preventing the occurrence of ulcerative colitis.
3. Regular sleep schedule
Develop regular sleep habits. Staying up late can reduce the body's metabolic capacity, affect the immune system, and easily lead to the occurrence of diseases, including ulcerative colitis.
4. Regular check ups
Regular check ups can help us detect physical abnormalities in a timely manner and take early intervention measures, especially for people who frequently experience diarrhea and abdominal pain. Fecal examination, colonoscopy and other examinations can clarify the cause and take treatment measures.
Therefore, everyone should pay more attention to their own body, not ignore any abnormalities, seek medical attention in a timely manner, and maintain healthy lifestyle habits in order to stay away from diseases.