A Future More Beautiful for Ulcerative Colitis Patients

Although I've never had a diagnosis for ulcerative colitis, I've been through many of the tests and traumas ulcerative colitis patients face because of intestinal difficulties that occurred with endometriosis, polyps and an ulcer. I think most of these ideas would help ulcerative colitis patients and many others, too.

1. A cure. I can think of no better suggestion than healing ulcerative colitis.

2. More roadside facilities, especially near city centers

Anyone who has experienced sudden diarrhea can understand why sitting in work rush traffic can be an absolute nightmare for an ulcerative colitis patient. Most rest areas were put in outside city areas where the land was inexpensive and available for building. Even if the facility were only a portable outhouse in the emergency lane, this could really help those people suffering from the extreme need to use a facility, including those with bladder problems and would help many elderly people. Often, when you pull off the interstate in a city, you expect to find a gas station or fast food restaurant to provide the facility, but downtown, I've often run into locked bathrooms which makes the problem even worse. Worse, many times inner city exit signs don't convey whether or not a restaurant or gas station is available or how far one must travel to find a facility. Maybe the state should sponsor restroom facilities near exits in private businesses so travelers will know they are welcome.

3. After Barium X-Ray Flush

There is nothing worse than taking an Upper or Lower Gastrointestinal X-Ray series than dealing with the awful constipation that the barium x-ray media causes afterwards and its harsh affect on your colon. A drink that helped soften the resultant stool would be really wonderful.

4. After Diarrhea Wipes and/or Ointments

After and during diarrhea, your anus tissues are very sensitive to the acid content released from the bowel. Many ulcerative colitis patients develop sores and cracks. A topical wipe that helped protect, promoted healing, removed the stench of splatter, and eased the burn would be ideal. I'm not certain if the suggestions for hemorrhoid patients would work as well for ulcerative colitis patients.

5. Easier to Use Stool Sample Kits

The first time I had to take a stool sample, I was unsure just how to go about doing it. Was I supposed to fish the stool out of the toilet? Did it matter if there was toilet water on it? Did I take the sample from inside the stool? Did I take a chunk or just a rub? And what part do you use when the stool is diarrhea. And how long can you store the sample before it's unusable? A stool sample kit with instructions that answered some of the more common questions and provided the necessary steps for taking one would be a less embarrassing hassle. I've included a couple of links that give some basic guidance, perhaps doctors will start using them.

6. Share Your Experience Website(s)/Database(s)

Although the FDA runs trials of medicines before they are approved for use, patients continue to learn and experience their use of drugs and treatments. Many pass on their experience through their doctors, but not all do and patients don't really have a way to communicate their experiences with others. Sometimes, a treatment for one disease may also have benefits or side effects on other problems. A website that collected survey data on a number of medicines and treatments would develop a set of knowledge that could be used by patients, friends, doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

7. Improved Methods for Delivery of Drugs

Drugs used for anti-inflammatory purposes can be hard on the stomach and intestines. Ulcerative colitis patients lose many of their water soluble vitamins and become anemic, yet supplements are hard on the digestive system. Long term use of antibiotics can cause additional problems. Plus, there's all the excess medication that is showing up in our oceans and water tables. I know many of the pharmaceutical companies are working on this, but I think more could be done to monitor dosages in the blood and keep drug intake at minimal levels.

In reading the literature available on the web, it appears that topical treatments applied by enema or suppository are having better affects than oral treatments. Also, some work is being done on intramuscular treatments. One thing for sure is that patients that don't keep taking their medications cause their symptoms to worsen. See the articles in my links section for more information.