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"tightness" is bowl

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/20/2010 4:38 PM (GMT -7)
can someone explain or point me in the direction of a link that explains why the bowel gets "tight" or a constipated feeling during a flare?

I'd also like to understand where the mucus comes from and why its there.....

confused  

Posted 10/20/2010 4:43 PM (GMT -7)
I can't explain it, but maybe there's something in the resources folder????? Sorry! Wish I could be of help.
Posted 10/20/2010 4:54 PM (GMT -7)
Mucous is produced when something is irritating the colon.
Posted 10/20/2010 5:45 PM (GMT -7)
Actually I've been told there is a little bit of mucus for everyone - but right, lild, it increases to the point we notice it when there's inflammation.
Posted 10/20/2010 6:04 PM (GMT -7)
Mucus is produced by Goblet cells in the wall of the gut, and it's normal purpose is to lubricate and protect the colon surface. I have seen research papers that show it is made up of two layers - the one directly on the colon surface is more solid (jelly like) and has no bacteria living within it, and then on top of that is a more watery mucus layer that is easily sloughed off as the stool passes, and so any bacteria living within the less viscous mucos is passed out of the body with the stool. One of the many theories about the cause of UC is that it could be a thinning of these layers which then allows harmfull bacteria to settle on the surface cells, infecting and inflaming them. The Goblet cells can be damaged to the point where they stop producing mucus and that then makes the colon even more prone to damage and ulceration, although they can re-grow and begin working again when healing takes place. Normaly when something is irritating the colon mucus production is stepped up in much the same way as your throat and lungs do when you have a cold. Seeing large amounts of mucus is obviously not good but at least it means that your body is still able, and trying to protect itself.
Sue
Posted 10/20/2010 6:08 PM (GMT -7)
Are you constipated or do you feel like you have to go, but you can't
Posted 10/21/2010 5:48 AM (GMT -7)
thanks for the info.

journey, what's the difference? I've always looked at them both the same way...?
Posted 10/21/2010 10:33 AM (GMT -7)
For me, it's from the swelling in the rectum. There are times where the darn thing has nearly swollen shut and it makes passing anything either painful, as in the case of hard stool, or slow, as when the stool is a little softer.

I am currently trying to taper from doing two colocorts a day. I am skipping a dose every second day, and I skipped the dose I normally would have done overnight last night. This morning was the first time I crapped myself from the urgency in the 7.5 years I've had colitis. Their weird thing is it was nicely formed stool. darn disease always seems to have a new trick up it's sleave for you just when you think you have it figured out. At least there was no constipation this morning!
Posted 10/21/2010 2:41 PM (GMT -7)
I can race, If you are constipated, you can't go and don't feel like going.

If you think something is there, but you just can't pass it, I believe that is a sign of rectal inflamation and you are flaring. If it's painful right before the BM that's an inflamed rectum as well.

Are you on rectal enema meds?
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