Ulcerative Colitis Studio City & Los Angeles

Living with ulcerative colitis is difficult. You never know when and where a flare-up will strike, and how severe it will be. There are an estimated 900,000 people in the United States living with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by unpleasant and painful symptoms that come and go over time. Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and ultimately have fatal consequences if it is not successfully treated. At Angel Longevity, we’re here to help you understand and manage this condition and help you have a better quality of life with treatments for ulcerative colitis in Studio City and Los Angeles.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon, or large intestine, which causes ulcers to form in the lining. While there is no known cure, treatment can make the condition manageable and allow you to live symptom-free for long periods of time. Ulcerative colitis is an abnormal response of your body’s immune system. When you have IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), you can develop sores or ulcers in the innermost lining of the large intestine which produce pus or mucous. Between the inflammation and irritation, this can lead to abdominal discomfort and the frequent need to empty your colon.

What are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

The condition causes your body’s immune system to mistake food, bacteria, or other nutrients for a foreign substance against which your body needs protection. As part of this response, it sends white blood cells into the colon to attack these perceived invaders, producing inflammation and ulcers in the process.

Those who suffer from ulcerative colitis often experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Diarrhea often accompanied by blood or mucus
Abdominal cramping
A sudden urge to “go” right away
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Fever
Dehydration
Joint pain or stiffness
Eye pain
Anemia
Rectal bleeding
Fatigue

If you are experiencing these symptoms, seeking an evaluation for ulcerative colitis in Los Angeles or Studio City can help you better understand your condition and explore appropriate treatment options.

What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?

While there has been extensive research to identify the causes of ulcerative colitis, the answer as to why the condition develops remains largely unknown. Development of ulcerative colitis seems to be a combination of your genetic makeup, your unique immune system, and external environmental factors. It seems that at the onset of ulcerative colitis, an antigen, or unknown substance to your immune system, turns on a reaction in your immune system, which produces an inflammatory response. Once this response has been triggered, it is believed that the condition develops when the body’s immune system cannot turn the response off.

Can Ulcerative Colitis be Cured?

As there is currently no known cure for ulcerative colitis, once you have had a flare-up there is a possibility that you may be dealing with the problem throughout your lifetime. It is an autoimmune disease that follows what is known as a relapsing-remitting course, with periods of flare-ups followed by periods of remission. In the most severe cases, surgery may be performed in order to remove the portion of the colon which has been most damaged.

How is Ulcerative Colitis Treated?

The first step of our ulcerative colitis treatment in Los Angeles and Studio City is to treat the symptoms, discover what foods or environmental factors may be making the condition worse, and avoid these factors in the future. While food does not cause ulcerative colitis, in many cases, certain foods trigger the body’s immune response which result in UC inflammation.

Exercise, yoga and meditation, reducing stress, and a diet comprised of whole, nutrient-rich foods and soluble fiber can aid in reducing the inflammation and ushering in a period of remission. Other forms of treatment include anti-inflammatory medication, steroids, and surgery.

How Long is the Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?

Once you have developed ulcerative colitis, it is a condition which will need to be managed for the rest of your life. Through the process of learning your body’s individual triggers, you and your physician can create a treatment plan that could help you achieve and hopefully, maintain remission. Identifying allergens, toxins, and lifestyle factors which lead to flareups, our physician will help you to understand the disease, your body’s response, and take control of your health in a wholistic way.

At Angel Longevity, we believe in a whole-body approach, rather than just addressing the symptoms, and are committed to assisting our patients to live a better quality of life. We will evaluate your health overall and determine the best course of treatment to help you achieve long-term relief.

Why Should I Choose Angel Longevity for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis?

We are committed to your overall health and well-being through a combination of traditional Western medicine, holistic approaches, and alternative therapies. Our physicians are deeply interested in your total health and finding the underlying causes of any medical issues you may have. We know that your body functions as one cohesive organism. Health conditions affect all body systems, and if you are living with ulcerative colitis in Studio City and Los Angeles, a consultation with us at Angel Longevity can set you on the path to restoring a happier, healthier, more productive life.

Ulcerative ColitisFrequently Asked Questions

How is ulcerative colitis diagnosed?

Ulcerative colitis is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, blood tests, stool tests, and a colonoscopy with biopsy. These evaluations help identify inflammation in the colon, assess the severity of the condition, and rule out other causes of digestive symptoms, such as infections or Crohn's disease.

What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease?

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are forms of inflammatory bowel disease, but they affect the digestive tract differently. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum, while Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and may involve deeper layers of the intestinal wall. A proper diagnosis is important because treatment approaches can differ.

Can ulcerative colitis lead to other health complications?

Yes. In addition to digestive symptoms, ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of complications such as severe dehydration, anemia, nutritional deficiencies, and inflammation affecting the joints, eyes, and skin. Long-standing inflammation of the colon can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer, making regular monitoring and recommended colonoscopies important.

What should I do during an ulcerative colitis flare-up?

During a flare-up, it is important to stay hydrated, monitor your symptoms, and follow the treatment plan established with your physician. Some patients find that eating smaller meals and temporarily avoiding foods that worsen digestive discomfort can help. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms become more frequent or severe. Heavy rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of significant dehydration require prompt medical attention.

Does ulcerative colitis increase the risk of colon cancer?

People with ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly when inflammation has affected a large portion of the colon or the condition has been present for many years. Regular colonoscopy screenings allow physicians to monitor the colon for precancerous changes and identify potential concerns early. Your recommended screening schedule will depend on your individual medical history and risk factors.

Can ulcerative colitis affect my ability to absorb nutrients?

Ulcerative colitis can contribute to nutritional deficiencies, particularly during active flare-ups when diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, and reduced food intake may affect nutrient levels. Some patients develop deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. Bloodwork and nutritional assessments can help identify deficiencies and determine whether dietary changes or supplementation may be appropriate.