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Study Reveals Predictors of Ulcerative Colitis Severity

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and the lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. Due to the inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon, it causes the colon to empty more often and leads to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affects individuals worldwide. The course of ulcerative colitis is unpredictable, with remission possible in some patients and frequent recurrence in others. There have been previous studies conducted that follow patient populations with the condition in order to determine its natural history, but few studies have taken a look at possible predictors of the disease’s severity.

A recent research article published on January 14, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses the possible predictors of ulcerative colitis and its severity in individual patients. A Canadian research team examined the records of their ulcerative colitis patients and studied those with at least five years of follow up. Their data was collected and analyzed for demographic parameters such as age, gender, year of diagnosis, and others, which might help identify the possible risk for a more severe bout with the disease.

The variables of the study used to determine the severity of disease included a younger age at diagnosis, as well as a more recent year of diagnosis. The study suggested that those with ulcerative colitis diagnosis at a younger age had their symptoms revealed more quickly due to a more severe condition. The year of the diagnosis may reflect this, or it could be possible that it demonstrates that we may not be treating ulcerative colitis as well as we previously thought. The study concluded that ulcerative colitis severity is associated with younger age at diagnosis and year of diagnosis in a “longitudinal cohort of UC patients, and may identify prognostic UC indicators.”

Overall, the study’s data could help physicians identify those patients who are at higher risk of a severe disease course, and tailor their care towards more aggressive ulcerative colitis treatment immediately, rather than slowly escalating through the degrees of available therapies. It may also provide newly diagnosed patients with some expectations from their specific condition course, as well as the ulcerative colitis treatments that will best fit their current conditions.

Ulcerative colitis is an unpredictable disease, and there is still much we don’t know about it. As further studies will hopefully reveal findings for more accurate treatments, patients continue to seek out alternative supplements to complement any medical regime their doctors provide. There is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue, and organ in the body, and it specifically provides safe and natural relief for those who suffer from ulcerative colitis.

The healing ingredient in AloeElite, the Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide, helps eliminate diarrhea, brings the body back to a more normal functionality, acts as an intercellular antioxidant, rebuilds and repair the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract, and mends the damaged tissue in the colon. Most people who use AloeElite have moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and have a 97 to 98 percent success rate.

Overcoming Crohn’s Disease: The David Garrard Story

Yet another season goes by and the Jacksonville Jaguars spend the off-season watching the playoffs from the comforts of home. Although they once again endure the disappointment of narrowly missing a playoff berth, at least one player has something to be thankful for after another completed season.

In January 2004, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Garrard began experiencing severe stomach pains after meals. The pain would subside, but then reappear. Garrard’s 6-foot-1, 244-pound frame began shedding weight at the onset of Crohn’s disease, one of several inflammatory bowel diseases that affect 1.4 million Americans, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Garrard bottomed out at 215 pounds, matching his weight as a high school freshman. When a colonoscopy and further tests revealed that he suffered from Crohn’s disease, doctors placed him on a regime of drugs, but the pain always returned.

Garrard missed out on nearly all of the 2004 NFL season.  He suddenly seemed like a gaunt man whose head looked too big for his body. What he was going through was beyond football, it was a matter of survival. Yet Garrard was experienced in life, death, and divorce. His parents split when he was only seven, and his mother, Shirley Ann, passed of breast cancer when he was 14. Furthermore, Garrard had recently lost his father, Wilmer Garrard, in 2003.

In May 2004, doctors at the Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville removed 12 inches from Garrard’s intestines, entering just below his naval. Garrard began to put on weight and was able to get back onto the professional football field, where, to this day, he is still the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The doctors also recommended supplements that could aid in keeping the disease in remission.

There are theories about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine. Currently, there is no known pharmaceutical or surgical cure for Crohn’s disease. There are, however, effective, non-surgical Crohn’s disease treatment options that can alleviate the pain and embarrassment caused by the disease and produce long periods of remission, where there are no symptoms.

AloeElite is a healing supplement that benefits every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. For people with Crohn's disease, the healing ingredient in AloeElite (Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharide) works as a potent anti-inflammatory, it helps to eliminate diarrhea, it brings the body to a more normal functioning level, it acts as an intercellular antioxidant, detoxifying the body naturally, it rebuilds and repairs the protective mucosa lining throughout the digestive tract and mends the damaged tissue from mouth to rectum. It aids digestion, enabling better absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food, it balances and restores proper immune system function and the aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides contain antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Most of our clients use AloeElite for moderate to severe Crohn's disease. When used as directed, we have a 97% to 98% success rate. Order Today and start healing tomorrow!

How Do I Know Which Type of Colitis I Have?

The word “colitis” is used to describe a inflammatory bowel disorder.  It is usually milder then ulcerative colitis, or pancolitis.

Symptoms of colitis usually include frequent bowel movements and loose stools or diarrhea. Although bothersome, it is considered less severe than other forms of colitis, but if left untreated, it can become either ulcerative colitis or pancolitis, both of which are more painful, more severe diseases that send people to the doctor’s office or, in extreme cases, to the emergency room.

With ulcerative colitis, the intestines become inflamed and ulcerations develop in the colon. The ulcerations tend to produce bleeding and the rectum will excrete mucus to try and protect itself.  Bowel movements become less frequent but an urgent feeling of having to use the bathroom still persists, causing extremely painful cramping. Untreated ulcerative colitis can cause proctitis (inflammation of the rectum).

Pancolitis, involves the entire colon (large intestine) whereas colitis or ulcerative colitis is contained on the left hand side of the colon about 15 centimeters up. The same symptoms present themselves in an even more intense fashion.

Watching what you eat

The fastest way to an unpleasant outing is by eating foods that irritate digestive disorders, such as ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease. In an uncontrolled environment, as outdoor activities usually are, a bathroom can be hard to come by. This causes a large amount of anxiety and stress and can inhibit the experience from being enjoyable. If you suspect that food choices will be limited or unhealthy for your condition, eat foods that fit into your diet before arriving at the event. You can also bring some food with you that doesn’t cause inflammation. When a person is very hungry, they are more likely to eat foods they know irritate their condition. If you eat first or bring your own courses, then you can feel safe by indulging in the healthiest food options available.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and the lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. The colon is an integral part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. Due to the inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon, it causes the colon to empty more often and leads to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affects approximately 500,000 to 2 million people in the United States. The disease affects men and women equally and appears to run in the family. It commonly begins between ages 15 and 30, or less commonly between 50 and 70.

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