How Parents Can Help Children Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

It is hard enough to be an adult and find out that you have a disease like Ulcerative Colitis. It is something that will change your life and the lives of your family members. As adults we are able to educate ourselves about our newly diagnosed disease and learn to care for our physical needs, for the most part, on our own. For a child it is something that is overwhelming, not only because it will affect their lives, but also because it is something that they don't fully comprehend. We don't think about all the aspects of our life that can be influenced by something like Ulcerative Colitis.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis and How Is It Diagnosed?

Ulcerative Colitis predominantly affects adults between the ages of 20 and 30 but can be diagnosed in kids as young as five years old. There is also a condition known as Allergic Colitis that mainly affects children. It is usually an allergic reaction to food, especially cow's milk, eggs and wheat. Colitis affects males and females equally. In rare cases there have been infants diagnosed with the disease as well. A patient will usually present with symptoms such as blood in the stool, severe diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, unusual tiredness and abdominal pain.

A Pediatric Gastroenterologist through blood tests, stool cultures and sometimes a colonoscopy, diagnoses Ulcerative Colitis in children. Blood tests and stool samples are used to look for elevated white blood cell counts, which would indicate an inflammation, blood in the stool and infection. In a colonoscopy the doctor has a chance to look inside the colon, or large intestine, for bleeding, ulcers, lesions and other signs of inflammation.

Treatment Options and Their Side Effects

Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis in children varies between each individual. Many factors have to be taken into consideration as children don't always respond the same way to treatment as adults do. Some of these factors include age and weight, the severity and location of the inflammation and the psychological state of the child. Ulcerative Colitis can have a tremendous emotional impact on a child and this can affect the efficacy of some medication options.

The medications used for treatment are generally the same as those used in adults. To be effective however the dosage and frequency administered will be decreased. Some of the medications used to treat Ulcerative Colitis in children are:

Asacol: This is a 5-ASA Compound and the most commonly used medication for the treatment of UC. Its side effects are minimal and patients usually respond well to the drug. Side effects may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, mild nausea and vomiting, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

Corticosteroids: Steroids such as Prednisone can be taken orally, used topically, or administered as a rectal suppository or foam. Prednisone is a more aggressive therapy and has more side effects than other drugs. Some of the milder side effects include headache, changes in mood, weak muscles and extreme tiredness, dizziness and acne. You should contact your doctor immediately if your child experiences the following, more serious side effects, seizures, severe depression, extreme nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and numbness in the arms, legs, feet or hands. If you think your child is experiencing side effects that are extreme you should seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Talk to your doctor about the risks that are associated with prednisone before starting treatment. Studies have also shown that taking this medication may stunt growth and development in children. Your doctor should track your child's growth on a regular basis while administering this drug. Immunomodulators: In more severe cases, and where other treatments have not been effective, your doctor may suggest using immunomodulators. Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune disease meaning that a person's immune system is overactive. Immunomodulators alter the immune system by normalizing its response. Some of the more common immunomodulators used in treating Ulcerative Colitis are 6-Mercaptopurine, Azathioprine and Remicade. Side effects with these medications include joint pain, liver inflammation, pancreatitis, increased risk of infections, lung inflammation, problems with sleep, increased risk of kidney disease and diabetes. There are other side effects that should be discussed with your doctor.

Being A Parent

It is distressing to be the parent of a child, whatever their age, with a disease like Ulcerative Colitis. It takes a toll not only on the child but on the family as a whole. My parents' lives and the lives of my siblings have been affected largely because of my disease. There are a lot of aspects to this disease that can be overwhelming. Frequent trips to the emergency room, side effects that may require admission to the hospital, administering medications, and numerous doctors' appointments and in severe cases having to endure surgery. Becoming as involved as possible in your child's treatment is important. It not only teaches you how to be the parent of a someone with Ulcerative Colitis but also gives the child confidence in knowing that they are not dealing with this alone. As parents you may also want to talk to your doctor about therapy that can help you educate your child about their newly diagnosed disease and how you're going to manage it, together, on a daily basis.

Sources

www.growingupibd.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.childrenshospital.org