Ulcerative Colitis Nursing Measures

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic nonspecific inflammation. Care measures include dietary care and emotional regulation. In terms of diet, it is best to eat at home as much as possible, eat less takeout and street food, and maintain a regular, nutritious diet with foods that are high in protein and calories, such as lean meats and eggs. It's also important to eat plenty of vegetables like cabbage and carrots, and avoid spicy, stimulating, and cold foods. During acute episodes, a light diet should be maintained to reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, attention should be paid to emotional regulation. Patients should maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, which is beneficial for the treatment and prognosis of ulcerative colitis.

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What foods are good for colitis?

So, what kind of food is better for patients with colitis? First, we recommend high-protein, high-calorie foods, because colitis generally has a process of prolonged illness and long duration, which affects the digestion and absorption of food and causes substantial energy depletion in the body. Therefore, we recommend adopting a diet rich in protein and calories to meet our bodily needs. However, we must also note that if the amount of diet exceeds the intestinal tolerance of the patient, it may actually worsen the condition. Therefore, it is necessary to flexibly manage according to the specific conditions and symptoms of the patient, gradually increasing the supply of protein and calories is advisable. Additionally, we recommend high-vitamin foods. A diet low in residue often lacks vitamins, which can be supplemented with filtered vegetable soups and juices, such as tomato juice, to provide the necessary vitamins. On the other hand, we need to ensure adequate hydration. Normally, each person needs about 1200 to 1600 mL of water per day. If there is excessive water loss due to diarrhea, fluid therapy should also be supplemented. During acute flare-ups, we should eat a residue-free or semi-liquid diet, such as eggs, fish (except for those allergic), soy milk, tofu pudding, and other low-residue foods, along with noodles and sliced noodles, and it is appropriate to eat small meals frequently.

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Ulcerative Colitis Symptom Characteristics

Ulcerative colitis is increasingly seen in clinical settings, especially among younger patients in gastroenterology. The symptoms typically include abdominal discomfort and abnormal stool, characterized by pain and distension in the lower left abdomen, and changes in bowel habits. Generally, the frequency of stool increases, often occurring more than a dozen times, at least six times or more. The stool characteristics are also indicative, generally appearing bloody and loose. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis need standardized diagnosis and treatment. The treatment mainly consists of two types: the first is lifestyle and dietary management; the second is medication. For diet, it is recommended that patients eat easily digestible, low-residue, high-quality protein foods to enhance nutritional support. Medicinal options may include drugs that regulate intestinal flora, protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, and others like amino salicylates. However, if complications such as gastrointestinal perforation, obstruction, or bleeding occur, surgical treatment is recommended. (Please consult a doctor for specific medication usage and do not self-medicate.)

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Can colitis turn into cancer?

Colitis is considered a benign lesion clinically and generally does not transform into cancer. Therefore, patients do not need to worry too much. The diagnosis of colitis mainly relies on colonoscopy. Most patients undergo colonoscopy due to abdominal discomfort or abnormal stools. The abdominal discomfort is primarily in the lower abdomen or lower left abdomen, presenting as pain and distension. Abnormal stools can clinically manifest as changes in the frequency of bowel movements, changes in stool texture to harder or thinner, and so on. Most patients do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as bloody stools, weight loss, or decreased appetite. Colonoscopy is frequently used clinically and can generally serve to differentiate between colitis and colon cancer. Most patients can tolerate a colonoscopy, so there is no need for patients to resist undergoing this examination.

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Can colitis be detected by an ultrasound?

Colitis cannot be definitively diagnosed with an ultrasound, as ultrasound is primarily used for diagnosing solid organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. For hollow organs, the diagnosis is obscured by gas and food inside the intestines, making ultrasound less effective. For patients suspected of having colitis, the best examination is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can clearly show the extent and severity of the inflammation. CT scans also hold diagnostic value as they can reveal thickening and edema of the colonic wall. CT scans are less painful compared to colonoscopies, which can be somewhat painful.

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Which department should I go to for colitis?

If it is colitis, the patient has symptoms such as loose stools, increased frequency of defecation, and unformed stools. In such cases, it is first recommended to visit the gastroenterology department. After an interview and physical examination by a doctor, a colonoscopy can be performed based on the patient's condition to clarify the diagnosis. If the patient has symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and anemia in addition to the above, they can visit either the gastroenterology department or the general surgery department. Generally, the examinations for colitis include stool tests and colonoscopy. Therefore, when going to the hospital, if the patient has colitis, the first choice should be the department of gastroenterology.