Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the bowel (also known as an IBD) that causes the lining of the large intestine and rectum to become inflamed. It can spread throughout the entire colon, but it usually starts in the rectum and the lower portion of the intestine.

The inflammation leads to frequent diarrhea as well as the constant need to go to the bathroom during a flare-up. The combination of inflammation and persistent diarrhea causes the cells that line the colon to die, which exposes the colon’s lining to the development of ulcers.

Ulcers that line the colon can produce blood, pus, and mucus, which often show up in the individual’s fecal matter.

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Ulcerative colitis typically develops between the ages of 15 and 30, but symptoms can start to manifest earlier in some patients. Boys and girls of any ethnic background can be affected, but white and certain Jewish individuals in urban, industrialized areas are at the highest risk.

Additionally, a family history of ulcerative colitis and frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications as well as antibiotics can increase the likelihood of developing this disorder.

An illustration of human gut anatomy showing the effects of ulcerative colitis

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis in children may differ from one child to another, but some common symptoms include:

Chronic fatigue

Abdominal pain

Weight loss

Lack of appetite

Rectal bleeding

Dehydration

Malnutrition

Anemia

Pus or mucus in fecal matter

Chronic fatigue

Abdominal pain

Weight loss

Lack of appetite

Rectal bleeding

Dehydration

Malnutrition

Anemia

Pus or mucus in fecal matter

Integrative Ulcerative Colitis Care

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, lifelong illness and as such, management is the best approach. At Peak Vitality, our integrated team provides an array of holistic care options designed to provide pediatric ulcerative colitis patients with the relief they need to enjoy an active lifestyle.

We provide advanced testing to develop individualized diet, lifestyle and nutrition counseling that aims to not only reduce a patient’s ingestion of foods that trigger inflammation, but to dampen the disrupted immune response and help ensure the individual is absorbing the supply of nutrients they need in order to grow and function normally.

Additionally, IV and injection therapy provides our patients with vitamin supplementation as well as hydration in the cases where the digestive system is severely damaged until healing can occur.

Peak Vitality treats each patient as an individual, and we take all the steps needed to evaluate conditions and design care plans that meet the needs of those we treat.

If you know or suspect that your child suffers from ulcerative colitis, give us a call at 720-504-8068 or schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.