An estimated 1 million Americans experience persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea from ulcerative colitis. At the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, you can schedule diagnostic testing services to confirm that your symptoms relate to ulcerative colitis. Dr. Zhang also specializes in individual treatment plans using medications and surgery to help you find long-lasting symptom relief. Call the office in Las Vegas, Nevada, today or book a consultation online to learn more about your treatment options for ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel disease that causes inflammation in the inner lining of your large intestine. The disease can also cause ulcers (open sores) to form in your intestines.
The underlying cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t well understood, but an abnormal reaction in your immune system can contribute to the disease.
You can develop ulcerative colitis at any age, but the disease is most common in people 15-30.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, if you have symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as:
For some, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis are debilitating. Without treatment, you may also be at increased risk for complications like severe bleeding, dehydration, and colon cancer.
Dr. Zhang offers endoscopic procedures like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to diagnose ulcerative colitis. He inserts a slender scope into your rectum and moves it into your large intestine. Through the scope, he can take a sample of tissue for further testing.
You may also need bloodwork or stool testing to rule out other gastrointestinal disorders that cause similar symptoms.
There are two ways Dr. Zhang can treat ulcerative colitis. If your symptoms are mild, you may need anti-inflammatory medications to treat inflammation in your large intestine. You may also benefit from medications that suppress your immune system to prevent inflammation.
After undergoing treatment for mild ulcerative colitis, you need to schedule more frequent colon cancer screenings (colonoscopies) to identify precancerous or cancerous changes in your large intestine.
If you have severe symptoms of ulcerative colitis, you may be a candidate for surgery.
Dr. Zhang can remove your entire colon and rectum during a proctocolectomy. During this procedure, he forms a pouch at the end of your small intestine that allows you to eliminate waste.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of ulcerative colitis, call the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, today or book an appointment online.