One of the most damaging Accutane side effects is the inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, known as ulcerative colitis. Another Accutane side effect, Crohn’s disease, attacks the entire digestive system. But ulcerative colitis, or UC, attacks only the colon, rectum and occasionally the last part of the small intestine, known as the ileum.
UC produces an inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the large intestine, or colon. It produces severe pain in the abdomen as well as diarrhea, which sometimes is bloody. It also causes ulcers, sores and inflammation of the colon, and it can lead to anemia, rectal bleeding, fatigue, joint pain and weight loss.
The tragic truth for ulcerative colitis sufferers is that there is no cure. There is only treatment, which can only reduce the Accutane side effects symptoms. What are such ulcerative colitis treatments?
The most common ulcerative colitis treatment is medications. These can be corticosteroids or mesalamine. But medications can do only so much, and as many as two-fifths of Accutane victims who suffer UC inflammation of their intestines finally opt for surgery as a treatment.
In fact, some ulcerative colitis surgery may be performed on an emergency basis, if a patient is suffering from fistulas (abnormal tunnels connecting two body cavities), toxic megacolon (rapid widening or dilation of the large intestine) or a massive hemorrhage (loss of blood).
Several surgery strategies can be pursued for patients who suffer from such advanced UC ailments. One is a proctocolectomy with ileostomy.
This strategy mixes two approaches. A proctocolectomy is performed first to surgically remove the rectum, anus and colon. After the proctocolectomy, an ileostomy builds a tiny quarter-sized hole called a stoma in the lower abdominal cavity. The ileum -- the final section of the small intestine -- is then placed through the stoma in order that wastes can drain from the small intestine.
These wastes enter a small bag which is placed atop the stoma and must be worn always by patients, who must regularly empty the bag, perhaps several times a day.
Patients who have had these surgical procedures must alter their diet, reducing high-fiber food which the small intestine has trouble digesting. Otherwise such foods, as they pass through the small intestines, might block the stoma and prevent wastes from passing through it.
Another strategy is to have a more recent approach to UC known as J-Pouch surgery. It maintains the presence of the anus and its sphincter muscles. That way, Accutane victims still can pass body waste in bowel movements, as before.
This surgery has two parts, the second of which occurs about three months after the first. Other terms for the procedures are restorative proctocolectomy, ileoanal anastomosis and ileal pouch reconstruction.
No surgery for ulcerative colitis can fully restore the patient to normal health. But it can help treat the painful symptoms of the Accutane side effects injury known as ulcerative colitis.
Another response to such an Accutane injury as UC or Crohn’s disease is to seek an Accutane lawsuit or defective drug lawsuit. Across the nation, you can get the legal help you need from Accutane-Lawsuit-Lawyer.com.
The national attorney service can provide you with an Accutane lawsuit lawyer for your state. Your Accutane personal injury attorney can fight for your legal right to gain financial compensation for your losses, including medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.
To start, simply submit the free case review form on this Web page, or call toll-free to 1-800-339-0606. A legal representative will quickly reply to assist you with your Accutane injury case.