Patient case: Ulcerative Colitis
A 30-year-old female presents to the clinic with a two-month history of recurrent abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. She reports having 6-8 bowel movements per day, which are often accompanied by urgency and discomfort. The diarrhea is sometimes bloody and mucoid. Additionally, she notes feeling fatigued and has lost approximately 5 kg during this period.
On physical examination, the patient appears slightly pale but is otherwise stable. Abdominal examination reveals tenderness in the lower left quadrant, with no palpable masses. Laboratory tests show mild anemia and elevated inflammatory markers. A colonoscopy is performed, which reveals inflamed and ulcerated areas in the rectum and sigmoid colon, consistent with ulcerative colitis. Biopsy results confirm the diagnosis, showing crypt abscesses and inflammation consistent with the disease.
The patient is started on a treatment plan that includes 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) medications to reduce inflammation, along with dietary modifications. She is educated about the condition, its chronic nature, and the importance of follow-up appointments to monitor her symptoms and adjust treatment as necessary. A follow-up visit is scheduled in four weeks to assess her response to therapy.
a). Severe abdominal pain and weight gain
b). Recurrent abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, and rectal bleeding
c). Nausea and vomiting
d). Jaundice and abdominal distension
a). Polyps in the colon
b). Normal appearance of the colon
c). Inflamed and ulcerated areas in the rectum and sigmoid colon
d). Diverticula in the sigmoid colon
a). Corticosteroids
b). Antibiotics
c). 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)
d). Opioids
a). Presence of granulomas
b). Crypt abscesses and inflammation
c). Malignancy
d). Fibrosis and scarring
