Ulcerative Colitis and Culture - Essay Example

Ulcerative Colitis and Culture Introduction The disease, which has been chosen for the discussion is Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a disease of the colon. A number of risk factors for this disease have been identified which include history of Salmonella infection, living in industrialized areas, and others. The family history is also a well-known risk factor for this disease. In this paper, the internal and external factors that affect the prevalence of this disease are discussed. The disease is also discussed from social and cultural perspectives. The modes of transmission of this disease along with treatment methods are also included in the following discussion. Discussion Description Ulcerative colitis is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The disorder directly affects the terminal portion of the alimentary tract and also involves the rectum. The disorder is often found among young adults. The diagnosis of this disease is carried out through investigations of lower gastrointestinal tract. A biopsy is conducted to determine the inflammation in the involved area (Hanaue, Moayyedi and Ford, 2013). There is no single cause of this problem; however, it is associated with changes in the colonic microenvironment. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic lifelong condition. The medical treatment for this problem is directed towards inducing remission and preventing the relapse of disease activity. Thus, the treatment for this disorder focuses on preventing long-term sequelae. The disease has a direct impact on the rectum. The symptoms of this disease include rectal bleeding, urgency, diarrhea, and various others (Bornemann, and Adams, 2013). Factors that make population vulnerable to the disease The incidence of this disease is on the rise throughout the world. The occurrence of disease is likely to increase during the second to fourth decades of life. The incidence of this disease is also increasing among people who are in the later stages of life. The prevalence of these diseases is estimated at 5 among 5000 people in general population. There are various factors which make the population vulnerable to this disease. As many as one-fifth of the patients who get affected by this disease are genetically prone to acquire this condition during their lifetime. This indicates that genetics is one of the key factors that make a population vulnerable to this disease. Various studies have also reported the association between this disorder and the presence of a faulty gene. Genetic factors have a crucial role in this disease (Bornemann, and Adams, 2013). Individuals who have a sibling with this disease are more vulnerable to the risk of developing ulcerative Colitis. Identical twins carry a 95% risk of getting the disease if one of the siblings is affected. In addition to the genetic factor, the role of diet has also been studied. The populations, which consume a large amount of refined sugar, meat, and fats are more vulnerable to the risk of developing this disease when compared to the normal population. Moreover, the risk for this disease is decreased when vegetables are the major portion of the diet. Transmission of the disease Although a number of factors have been identified that contribute towards the occurrence of disease; the transmission of the disease from an individual to another has not been accepted as a possibility. Since the pathogenesis is not directly related to a bacterial, viral or fungal cause, the transmission of the organism has therefore not been considered a possible contributory factor towards its spread. The role of Immune system In Western industrialized nations, the hygiene habits of individuals are excessive, which prevent children from the normal exposure towards bacterial antigens. This results in altered immune response which is considered a contributory factor for the disease (Bornemann, and Adams, 2013). The incidence of this disease is on rise in developing countries. This indicates that people living in developing countries are more vulnerable to this disease than those living in other parts of the world. It is particularly prevalent because of the improved hygiene and sanitary conditions in these regions. As a result of improvements in hygiene conditions, people living in these countries are less exposed towards various infections. This results in the immaturity of the immune system. The incidence of this disease is more than 20 people in Europe and North America. On the other side, the incidence of this disease in Asia is 0.1 to 6.3 persons in the population of 100,000 people. Describe environmental factors that make the population vulnerable to the disease. In addition to genetic makeup and immune system, the environmental factors also make the population vulnerable to this disease. According to some health experts, diet, air pollution, smoking, and other factors contribute significantly towards the prevalence of this disease. The populations vulnerable to this disease include urban areas of Western Europe and North America (Bornemann, and Adams, 2013). Treatment of the disease Ulcerative colitis has a significant impact on the quality of life. There is no treatment modality that controls the symptoms entirely. Therefore, in order to treat this disease, treatments are categorized. The categorization is based on the severity of disease. The therapy is tailored according to the individual. The mild to moderate cases of this disease are treated with 5-aminosalicylates or glucocorticosteroids. These drugs are used to inhibit inflammation in the area. When patients do not respond towards medications, colectomy is considered. There are no specific vaccinations for the purpose of treating this disease. However, it is essential that patients receive pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations. Before beginning the therapy for this disease, it is important to review vaccinations (Grainge, West, Card, 2010). The alternative treatment for this disease is Probiotics. Probiotics may reduce the activity of disease and does not increase the rate of remission. For maintenance therapy, Lactobacillus GG and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor) are considered to be effective. Moreover, Acupuncture is also an alternative treatment for this disease. However, this method of treatment offers small benefits. Social and cultural significance of the disease The social and cultural influences must also be considered when discussing Ulcerative colitis. The important socio-cultural aspect is the stigma associated with this disease. There are many individuals who view this disease as abnormal. Ulcerative colitis is the disease associated with excretory bodily function. As a result, patients often become wary of their symptoms. Patients who start observing the symptoms often isolate themselves from others. This directly has an impact on the treatment of this disease. The stigma associated with the disease has a negative influence on the self-identity and self-esteem of patients (Grainge, West, Card, 2010). Once Ulcerative colitis is developed, the patients develop a wide range of psychological and interpersonal concerns. The other social concerns associated with this disease include the fear of social inadequacy, social isolation, feeling of being dirty, and others (Danese and Fiocchi, 2011). Prevention There are different health promotions and wellness strategies that can help prevent this disease. One of these strategies is to develop support groups for people suffering from this disorder. Individuals suffering from Ulcerative colitis need emotional support; therefore the group membership would allow them to cope with this disease. It is important for patients to realize that other people are also experiencing this problem. There are different support group programs, which have been developed for patients. Some of them include Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Everyday Health online community, and others. Conclusion Ulcerative colitis is the disease of the colon, which is developed because of various internal and external conditions. The common risk factors which have been identified in this paper include heredity factors, history of Salmonella infection or other infections, and the lifestyle of individuals. The other factors associated with this disease include air pollution, smoking, and poor dietary habits. The paper has revealed that individuals suffering from this disease also experience lower self-esteem. Patients are likely to isolate themselves from others because they feel ashamed. This negatively affects the treatment of this disease because these individuals are hesitant to share their problem with their consultants. It is important to deal with the social stigma associated with this disease. There are different support groups, which have been developed to help people overcome anxiety and depression. The treatment options for this disease must be considered seriously and treatments must be started as early as possible. References Bornemann, P, And Adams, S (2013) Ulcerative Colitis, American Family Physician, Volume 87, Number 10 Danese S, Fiocchi C.(2011) Ulcerative colitis. N Engl J Med;365:1713-25 Grainge MJ, West J, Card TR. (2010) Venous thromboembolism during active disease and remission in inflammatory bowel disease: a cohort study.;375:657-63. Hanauer, S, Moayyedi, P and Ford, A (2013) Ulcerative colitis, BMJ, 46:f432 Read More