HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Ulcerative Colitis

default
Posted on Tue, 19 Sep 2017
Question: Hi,

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 years ago and I am currently working with veteran affairs to see if I can link this to my service.
I served in Afghanistan in 2007 and after returning this is when my symptoms first began. I was not fully diagnosed until 10 months later. I now have gerd with hiatus hernia that shortly followed the UC. TODAY the colitis has not much changed but I do suffer from joint pain when I do have a flare.

What are the chances my service could have contributed?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cause of Ulcerative colitis is immune.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear patient,
Thanks for query.
I am very sorry for your problems.
As paer your query answers are-

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the colon,One of the most important cause is an immune system dysfunction. Earlier diet anxiety and stress were also considered to be causative factors(but they have been ruled out in latest studies).

In some patients immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, causing abnormal immune response which causes the immune system to attack the cells in mucosa of intestinal epithelium causing group of symptoms referred to as UC.
I am sorry but i don't think that Ulcerative colitis is due to your service.

Hope you get well soon my dear patient.
Wish you a good day ahead.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)
I understand it isn't directly caused by my service. Just was wondering the possibility side it came on during my tour and I was exposed to very unsanitary conditions
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I can very well understand that as a veteran you want to raise a appeal.
See thing is that ulcerative colitis is still a grey zone in medical science and no one can tell you the exact cause of this problem.
Unsanitary conditions in afganistan definitely gives you a lead as most of the problems in gut are related to bacterias entering gut through fecoral route.
In fact GERD and gstritis is caused due to a bacteria called H.pylori and anxiety aggrevates the condition.

You can raise a appeal but as explained earlier if they deliberately don't want to give you benefits they would definitely say that cause of UC is unknown till date.
Better suggestion is that you take GERD as your primary problem(due to work and stress).
Please feel free to follow up.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2913 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Ulcerative Colitis

Brief Answer: Cause of Ulcerative colitis is immune. Detailed Answer: Hello dear patient, Thanks for query. I am very sorry for your problems. As paer your query answers are- Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the colon,One of the most important cause is an immune system dysfunction. Earlier diet anxiety and stress were also considered to be causative factors(but they have been ruled out in latest studies). In some patients immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, causing abnormal immune response which causes the immune system to attack the cells in mucosa of intestinal epithelium causing group of symptoms referred to as UC. I am sorry but i don't think that Ulcerative colitis is due to your service. Hope you get well soon my dear patient. Wish you a good day ahead.