Ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness that is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The result of ulcerative colitis is inflammation and ulcers in a patient’s digestive tract, often affecting the deepest inner linings of the large intestine and the rectum. Rather than a sudden development, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis develop slowly over time. If untreated, the chronic illness can lead to debilitating conditions that may be life threatening such as increased colon cancer risk, higher chances of blood clots, severe bleeding, and more. Ulcerative colitis is also classified differently depending on where it is located specifically. Ulcerative proctitis is when the disease is confined to the furthest area down the intestinal tract near the anus; proctosigmoiditis when it affects the lower end of the colon; left-sided colitis when the disease affects the area from the rectum to the sigmoid and descending colon; and pancolitis when it affects the entire colon.
In a study conducted in 2014 in Brazil, it was found that the State of Espírito Santo had an approximate IBD prevalence of 38.2 per 100,000 populations. Of those IBD diagnoses 24.1 per 100,000 were the result of ulcerative colitis. Although ulcerative colitis can develop at any age, it is most common to develop the illness before reaching the age of 30. There is also a genetic hereditary risk of developing the condition.
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is still relatively unknown, but what doctors have found is that the disease is aggravated by diet and stress. There is no known cure for ulcerative colitis either, but treatments are able to target symptoms and create long-term remission. There is no doubt that if the disease is not kept in check, it causes extreme discomfort even when there are no complications.
Digital health solutions like Care.Wallet can be easily set up to help a patient manage their ulcerative colitis effectively. Because the condition often develops slowly, the records of your condition or past medical visits documented in the app can help with the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Patients can keep track of their symptoms and note to their doctor what causes them, what aggravates their bowels, and also easily receive the care and knowledge they need. If experiencing unexpected symptoms, a patient can book an appointment with a few clicks directly in the App. If a patient needs a ride to the facility, Care.Wallet has got them covered with a medical transportation solution embedded. If it’s not possible to have an in-office visit, Care.Wallet allows for booking online appointments via Global Telehealth Exchange.
With Care.Wallet the patient doesn’t have to worry about preparing for the appointment, as all their previous medical records are securely stored in their Care.Wallet and can be shared with all members of their care team in real-time. On top of that, Care.Wallet allows for symptom recording and management. Armed with all the necessary information, medical professionals can better evaluate the health condition of the patient and diagnose the problem. Prescriptions and referrals can be easily managed within the App as well. Care.Wallet has a comprehensive feedback function, called “How Are You Feeling Today” (HAYFT) Cards, that allows the patient to stay in touch with their care provider and report any changes to their health condition. In addition, the Care.Circle functionality provides an opportunity for the patient to have health information exchanged between all care professionals involved in their treatment. Family and friends can be invited to join their Care.Circle, as well to support the patient in their recovery and stay updated about their current health situation.
Care.Wallet is a powerful health management tool designed to offer a new improved standard of care and will improve the way healthcare works by putting patients in control of their health management. If you enjoyed this article, do take a look at our previous article Stroke in Italy.
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