• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcerative Proctitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Rectal Bleeding
• Accutane Side Effects

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that affects the large intestine and colon. Ulcerative Colitis is characterized by inflammation of the lining in the intestine or development of ulcers in the colon.  This can lead to abdominal pain, mucus or blood in the rectum and stool, as well as frequent diarrhea.

The use of Accutane has been associated with the development or aggravation of Ulcerative Colitis.  If you were prescribed Accutane and have been affected by this very serious condition, contact us today to discuss your legal rights.  You may be entitled to recover damages for your suffering and medical treatment.

Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis that affects around 2 million Americans.  It can develop in males and females with equal consistency.  Ulcerative Colitis can stem from many different diseases but is most often found in people under the age of 30. It has been linked to the use of Accutane in people of this age as well.

There is some evidence to suggest that certain people are predisposed to develop Ulcerative Colitis.  Approximately 20 percent of people that contract the disease have a family member who has also suffered from it.  Studies have also shown that Caucasian people and people of Jewish descent have a higher risk of contracting Ulcerative Colitis. Finally, people with weakened or atypical immune systems have a higher risk of developing the disease.

Ulcerative Colitis can be detected by your doctor without surgery.  This is done through a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. In these tests, a flexible tube containing a camera is inserted through the rectum so that the intestinal walls can be examined.

Symptoms of active Ulcerative Colitis can begin with a gradual onset, and sometimes resemble those of the common flu.  The most common and identifiable symptom, however, is constant diarrhea mixed with blood. Symptoms with this disease are often intermittent, worsening over some periods and diminishing or even disappearing over others.

Regardless, it is recommended that if you suspect you are afflicted with this disease, you seek medical help immediately. Bleeding in the intestinal tract can create infections which cause other serious problems. Patients sometimes develop holes in the colon.  Also, many experts believe Colitis is a systemic disease meaning it can affect other parts of the body besides the intestine.

Although the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis will sometimes diminish on their own, ongoing treatment is usually required to send the disease into remission.  Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Colitis at this time. 

Since Colitis affects each individual differently, treatment is challenging for doctors as they must develop a unique treatment plan. The disease can often be controlled with the use of medication. However, more serious cases have been documented where the disease become so severe that the colon had to be removed.

If you have been affected with any of the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis and you have taken Accutane in the past, Contact Us today for a confidential evaluation of your case. 

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