Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes miserable symptoms, including lower left abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and mucus in stools. The symptoms can be quite similar to Crohn’s disease, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment from the leading Fort Worth, Texas, colon and rectal surgery specialist. Farshid Araghizadeh, MD, MBA, uses robotic and minimally invasive surgical approaches to get you back to life. Book online or by calling the office today.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease in which you experience many uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis often come and go. You might experience long periods of remission before suffering painful bouts of ulcerative colitis, but it doesn’t typically go away permanently without treatment.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are very similar in terms of symptoms, but there are a few key differences between the two conditions.
Ulcerative colitis occurs in your colon, while Crohn's disease can occur anywhere from your mouth to your anus.
Ulcerative Colitis generally causes inflammation in your entire colon, whereas Crohn's Disease often affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon. Crohn’s Disease may also affect the entire colon, rectum, and anus.
While Ulcerative Colitis pain is typically on the left side of your abdomen, Crohn's disease pain is usually located in the central abdomen.
The best way to determine which of the two conditions you're dealing with is a consultation with Dr. Araghizadeh. He will review and/or perform the appropriate diagnostic tests which may include a colonoscopy to make an accurate diagnosis for prompt treatment.
Ulcerative colitis treatment depends on disease severity. For most patients with Ulcerative Colitis, medications like 5-aminosalicylic acid, immunomodulators, biologics, or corticosteroids are effective. But, some patients with Ulcerative Colitis will eventually need surgery.
Surgical options vary and are individualized for every patient. Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch (J-Pouch) formation, in which Dr. Araghizadeh removes your colon and rectum, is the most common operation for ulcerative colitis. Usually, Dr. Araghizadeh performs an ileal pouch anal anastomosis (J-Pouch) to create a new internal pouch for stool storage and elimination. This avoids a permanent external ileostomy bag.
Dr. Araghizadeh is a minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery specialist who creates customized solutions for patients with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other types of colorectal disorders. He’s ready to help you now, so use the online scheduler or call the office to arrange your consultation today.
