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Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
• U.C. is characterized by remissions and exacerbations of inflammation in the colon and/or rectum.
• Chronic process affects the intestinal mucosal lining.
• Causes a loss of surface epithelium, ulcerations and possible abscess formation.
• Results in loose stools containing blood and mucus, malabsorption, thickening of colon wall.
• Symptoms: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Pathophysiology
• Disease begins in rectum proceeds toward cecum.
• Acute: epithelial cell damage and loss, ulcerations, redness, bleeding.
Chronic: Fibrosis and retraction of the bowel, muscle hypertrophy, deposition of fat and fibrous tissue, narrower shorter colon.

Complications
• Colon Cancer
• Intestinal perforation with resultant peritonitis and fistula formation
• Toxic megacolon
• Hemorrhage
• Increased risk of colon cancer
• Abscess formation
• Malabsorption
• Bowel obstruction
• Extraintestinal clinical......

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Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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