Ulcerative Colitis

To diagnose UC, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and family history of IBD. They’ll order tests and perform procedures to rule out conditions similar to UC.

Tests and procedures include:

Blood tests: Your blood can show signs of anemia, which may mean you have bleeding in your colon or rectum. Blood tests can also help providers rule out other causes of your symptoms, like an infection.
Stool samples: Signs of infection, parasites (tiny organisms that can live in a person’s body) and inflammation can show up in your poop.
Imaging tests: Your healthcare provider may need a picture of your colon and rectum. You may need a specialized type of X-ray called a barium enema to reveal signs of inflammation in your colon. A CT scan (computed tomography scan) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can show signs of inflammation in your colon, especially with moderate and severe UC. An X-ray can show complications like megacolon or perforation.
Endoscopic tests: An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera. Your provider can insert the endoscope through your rectum to see inside your colon and take tissue samples for testing (biopsy). Common endoscopic tests to diagnose UC include colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.