Testing for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis results from inflammation of the innermost lining of the large colon and rectum. There is no cure, but effective treatment and even remission are possible. Medical treatment should be sought when any of the following symptoms occur: blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and a fever lasting for longer than one or two days with no obvious cause. If over-the-counter anti-diarrheals fail to provide relief from diarrhea, medical care should be sought. If left untreated, serious medical complications could result and become life-threatening. Complications include severe bleeding, perforated colon, severe dehydration, liver disease, osteoporosis, inflammation of the skin, joints, and eyes, increased colon cancer risk, and toxic megacolon.

Stress was once believed to be the main cause of ulcerative colitis, but now immune dysfunction, infectious diseases, or a genetic predisposition are believed to be culprits. Risk factors include age, ethnicity, a family history, and Accutane use. Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a medication that is used to treat acne.  Accutane has many reported side effects.   It has been linked to bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.  In June 2009, the manufacturer of Accutane announced that it notified the FDA of its intent to discontinue the manufacture and distribution of Accutane in the United States.

The first step is to visit the family doctor, who will then probably refer the patient to a gastroenterologist. Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other causes including Crohn’s disease, ischemic colitis, infection, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and colon cancer. Blood tests will be used to check for anemia, infection, and specific types of antibodies diagnostic of different types of inflammatory bowel disease. A stool sample may be requested to check for the presence of white blood cells, whose presence could indicate an ongoing infection or an autoimmune disorder. The stool sample will also be used to rule out a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. A colonoscopy may be performed to visually examine the interior of the colon and possibly collect a tissue biopsy. Tissue biopsies have proven to be valuable in diagnosing ulcerative colitis. Should a colonoscopy be impossible to perform, a Barium enema could be used to examine in detail the entire colon using X-ray. Standard X-rays may be used to rule out toxic megacolon or the presence of perforations. To rule out other complications like Crohn’s disease, computerized tomography (CT) may be used.

If you think you have symptoms of ulcerative colitis, you should consult with your physician immediately.

Do you believe you or a loved one has been injured by Accutane®? Goldberg & Osborne can help.

The law firm of Goldberg & Osborne is dedicated to helping injured people nationwide and is currently accepting cases for Accutane® victims. For a FREE case evaluation, please call us toll-free at (800) 935-2770 or submit a short and simple online case form here.