Pediatric ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the colon and rectum. The inflammation can wear away the lining, causing ulcers to form, and patients suffer from chronic diarrhea.
The cause isn’t known, and the onset occurs usually between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age.
Some of the symptoms of pediatric ulcerative colitis are:
- Anemia
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Skin lesions
- Liver disorders
Treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, fluid replacement that usually requires hospitalization, and surgery to remove the colon.
Surgery is indicated if the patient has massive bleeding, perforation of the colon, or the risk of cancer.
Pediatric ulcerative colitis is very serious and requires life-long medical care.
But imagine dealing with all of the above, and you’re still a kid.
There are emotional aspects of the disorder that don’t show on the surface, but can be just as debilitating.
Children have complained about being teased by classmates, feeling isolated because of prolonged hospital stays, missing school events–like Homecoming and Prom–and making and maintaining friendships made more difficult by frequent absences.
Some pediatric patients have to cope with the fact that their peers most likely know nothing about what they’re going through; this leads to frustration. The side effects of many medications also complicate normal social development because of mood swings, and the feeling that they don’t fit in.
What can you do for the pediatric ulcerative colitis patient in your life?
First, you can become educated about the disease, and how it impacts the child. Understand the child may be angry, embarrassed by the need to use the bathroom so frequently, and may be fighting against fatigue or malaise.
Be patient, and show compassion. He or she is fighting something bigger than the both of you.
Visit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America online to learn more and share your thoughts here on Patient Worthy!