Along with adults, children also often have to face many types of health problems. Ulcerative colitis is also one of the many diseases that can occur in children. The problem of inflammation in the intestine is called ulcerative colitis, although this problem also occurs in the elderly. This is a problem related to the intestine in which there is inflammation and irritation in the large intestine. Children with ulcerative colitis may have diarrhea as well as difficulty in passing bowel movements. Therefore, it is important to identify its symptoms and get treatment immediately.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease of the intestine in which there is inflammation and irritation in the large intestine. Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower intestine and gradually spreads up to the entire intestine. Inflammation causes diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. Inflammation and irritation in the large intestine causes ulcers in the rectum and rectum of the intestine. Bleeding may also occur along with swelling. It becomes very difficult for a child to handle this condition, as it makes the child's body very weak and can prove to be fatal at times. Sadly, there is no exact cure yet, only the symptoms are treated. The way of treating children is slightly different from that of adults.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in Children
Inflammation in the intestine is more in adults, but this problem can also occur in children. There are a variety of symptoms associated with inflammation in children. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many times the symptoms are not visible in children and if the condition becomes serious, some such symptoms can be seen-
- anemia due to bleeding
- Diarrhea There is also some blood in it
- fatigue
- Malnutrition, because the intestine is unable to absorb nutrients
- rectal bleeding
- stomach ache
- sudden weight loss
- problems in children's development
Many times in children, the problem of inflammation in the intestine becomes so severe that they also start showing some such symptoms which are not related to the intestine or the digestive system like-
- weakening of bones
- eye swelling
- joint pain
- kidney stone
- Liver disease
- rash
- skin damage
These symptoms make it difficult to diagnose ulcerative colitis. These symptoms seem to be caused by some other underlying condition.
Types of intestinal inflammation
Ulcerative colitis
There are several types of ulcerative colitis, depending on where it is located in the body. Everyone's symptoms and severity can be different. Ulcerative colitis is generally of the following types-
Ulcerative Proctitis – In this, inflammation occurs around the rectum itself. The symptom of this disease is bleeding from the rectum. Apart from this, there are no other symptoms.
Proctosigmoiditis- In this condition there is inflammation in the rectum and sigmoid colon (lower side of the abdomen). Some of the symptoms are blood in the diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and pain, inability to have a bowel movement even though there is a strong urge to have a bowel movement.
Left-sided colitis- In this, inflammation can occur from the lowest part of the sigmoid colon to the rectum. Symptoms include bloody stools, abdominal cramps, pain in the left side of the abdomen, and frequent urges to have a bowel movement.
Pancolitis – This condition affects the entire sigmoid colon, causing severe symptoms such as bloody stools, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
Causes of Ulcerative Colitis in Children
Experts have not been able to find out the exact reasons why there is a problem of inflammation in the intestines of children. However, some experts believe that there may be inflammation in the intestine as a result of viruses or bacteria. Some experts attribute this to weak immunity, which is unable to fight viruses or bacteria. Apart from this, if someone in the family has ulcerative colitis, then the child is more likely to get it.
Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in children
There is no single test to diagnose this problem. However, the doctor may perform a number of tests to rule out other health conditions that are responsible for symptoms such as ulcerative colitis. Along with the physical examination, he or she asks about the child's symptoms. He may ask you when the child's symptoms become severe and for how long they return to normal. Apart from this, he may also recommend some tests like- blood test in which it is checked whether the level of red blood cells is low, which indicates anemia. Apart from this, the level of white blood cells is also checked whether it is not high, which may be due to a problem related to the immune system. A stool sample test may also be done to check for blood, bacteria, and parasites in the stool.
Colonoscopy, also known as upper or lower endoscopy, may be done to look for signs of inflammation. In some cases, the doctor may also do a biopsy.
Ulcerative colitis treatment in children
ulcerative colitis-
The treatment of intestinal inflammation depends on how severe it is in the child. In adults, it is usually treated with a special type of enema that contains medicine. However children are not then given the enema because they cannot tolerate it. Treatment for children who can take medicine includes-
aminosalicylates to reduce inflammation of the intestine
Corticosteroids may be given to stop the immune system from attacking the gut
Immunomodulators or TNF-alpha blocking agents are given to reduce the body's response to inflammation.
If the child's symptoms do not improve or get worse with the above treatments, the doctor may recommend surgery, in which the affected part of the intestine is removed.
Although the child can lead a normal life after the removal of the entire intestine or part of it, but its effect on his digestion is very serious. Not only this, even after removing the affected part of the intestine, ulcerative colitis can occur in the other part in the future. Surgery is usually recommended in the following situations-
if there is a hole in the intestine
the intestine becomes dilated and swollen
bleeding is not stopping
Symptoms do not improve with treatment.
Tips for parents to deal with the problem of intestinal inflammation
By keeping some things in mind, parents can not only reduce their stress, but can also motivate their child for a better and healthier life.
Inform your loved ones, teachers and close friends about the disease, its nutritional needs and medicines.
For the child to get complete nutrition, get his meal planning done by a professional dietician.
Look for a support group that includes people with inflammatory bowel disorder.
Talk to a counselor if needed.
Effects of ulcerative colitis on the child in the long run
Not only does this disease have a physical impact on children, but it also has a profound mental and emotional impact. Due to illness, their body becomes weak and there is a lack of nutrients, whose effect is also seen on their normal behavior. Because of this, children have the following emotional problems-
- mood swings due to illness and medication
- blame oneself for illness
- Irritability when physically weak
- to separate oneself from others
- Being angry that 'Why did this happen to me?'
- Being concerned about your looks, slow growth, and low weight
- Anger and annoyed at not being able to play normally with friends
- Feeling weak because of not being able to do physical activities like other children
Along with emotional problems, such children also have to face some social problems like-
- taunting other students in school
- Feeling embarrassed to go to the bathroom frequently
- Peer pressure regarding food choices
- Handling people who are not aware of the disease
- change in physical stamina
- Changes in ability to focus on schoolwork.
