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UC long term - accelerated aging?

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Posted 7/6/2012 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone ever read or heard anything about any possible link between accelerated aging and UC? Specifically with regards to our skin?

I know that UC does show some extraintestinal symptoms from time to time, so I'm wondering about what else it does in the long term. Even though my colon is a wreck, I'm hoping that at least I can look normal on the outside as I grow older. I was diagnosed when I was 19, and I'm 23 now.
Posted 7/6/2012 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I think it will depend on how bad your UC is and what meds you will be on long term. I can tell you I have been to hell and back again with this disease. I had j pouch surgery 2 years ago and now I finally feel human again but it has taken its toll on my hair and skin. The prednisone messed me up big time. I have these dark splotches on my face that gets worse in the sun. My doc told me its from the steroids. My sister had the same thing happen. If you are on prednisone, wear a heavy duty sunscreen on your face everyday. Have I aged? Hell yes and I I totally blame the UC.
Posted 7/6/2012 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
I can imagine how stress and medications can combine to wreak havoc on our bodies, but can UC accelerate aging directly? I've been on Pentasa since my diagnosis and seem to be doing fine so far.
Posted 7/6/2012 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
 

I agree that meds & UC status, flareup vs remission, would have alot to do w/aging you.  I was diagnosed back in 1987 at 39 yrs old.  Most of those yrs I've been on different doses of Asacol w/a splash of prednisone for infrequent & short term flareups.  My last & continuing (over a yr now) flareup has put me on Remicade infusions, but even now, people meeting me for the first time think I'm five to ten yrs younger than my 64 yrs.

I hope that helps and good luck w/your UC,

A

Posted 7/6/2012 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I think aging has more to do with genetics than anything else.
Posted 7/6/2012 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
when I'm well, I look & feel younger than I am, when flaring, much older.
It all boils down to how well controlled your UC is, and what you do between flares.
lifestyle is everything.
Posted 7/6/2012 3:18 AM (GMT 0)

beatUC said...
when I'm well, I look & feel younger than I am, when flaring, much older.
It all boils down to how well controlled your UC is, and what you do between flares.
lifestyle is everything.

But that isn't aging, that's just how you feel. I feel the same way most of the time. I mentioned previously that I'm 23, but because of my anemia, I'm about as energetic as an 80-year-old.

What I'm looking for is any kind of data/evidence suggesting that there's a direct link. For example, there's a direct link between smoking and premature aging. I hope that nothing similar exists for UC.
Posted 7/6/2012 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
UC ages the colon, but I've never heard or read anything to the effect that it causes the UCer to age prematurely. / Old Hat / 31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/6/2012 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
I've had UC for well over 25 years...diagnosed just over 23 years. I've never looked my age, so I'd say NO...it doesn't cause premature aging.
I also don't go in the sun, haven't for almost 30 years. What damage I have has been done long before that, and I can see it via lines and some creping...not a good idea to sun and blister one's eyelids yearly.

But, my body isn't as it used to be...because I"m getting older and don't exercise as I should. For that I blame myself.

The medications such as prednisone, immuno meds and biologics can age the body and skin.

At 23, the only way you would look aged is if you smoke, drink to excess, under extreme distress continually and spend a lot of time in the sun/tanning bed.

If you're tired and look it, that should ease once you're feeling better...it won't stay.

Use Make - up...does miracles!
q
Posted 7/6/2012 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
I've had Uc for 20 years, flaring almost all the time until recently. In my case, no - my Uc does not impact my skin such as sagging or wrinkles (unless it's rashes, boils, sores etc than yes). I am 42 and I still look like I'm in my early 30's.
Posted 7/6/2012 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
     I suffered with UP (proctitis) for twelve LONG years before finally deciding on surgery after becoming prednisone dependent for two years prior and going through the gamut of meds (6MP, Remicade and then Humira to no avail).

     I was diagnosed at age 52 and had surgery at 63 (month before my 64th birthday).  I will be 66 on August 12th.  Even though I felt like I was 90 when I saw my surgeon, he thought I was in my early 40's.  Not to brag,  I still look young, but owe it all to genetics.  Thanks mom and dad tongue !!!

Posted 7/6/2012 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
well as I said, I look younger than my age when well, so NO, UC in my case does NOT cause premature aging.
Posted 7/6/2012 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think aging has a lot to do with how well people takes care of themselves in addition to genetics...exercising, eating right, taking care of skin and taking care of the mind. I definitely think UC complicates this, but a lot still has to do with our own choices. We all have faced with how to spend our time and if you choose to spend your time taking care of yourself it will show.
Posted 7/6/2012 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Im 35 and look younger. Always had ridiculous amount of hair and baby skin.
But i noticed a small difference in the last year. Until last year I didnt have a wrinkle and now i have some. And some dark circles.
But then again I think its mostlly due to the fact my skin is getting dryer than usual. Skin changes overtime. Its natural. It would be easy for me to put it on the uc.

If I would recommand anything besides good diet and water is to not put to much rubbish on your face. Sunscreen is most important. Wash your face with fragrance free products. Take off your make up with milk, olive oil or coconut oil (yes works better than the wipes for sure!) and put a natural cream. Keep it minimum and simple.

I head as well that you need to drink even more water when having uc because of all the hydration you could lose.
Posted 7/6/2012 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
My hair started greying and I definitely started looking older when I was diagnosed.  I am 43 and look 53.  There probably isn't a direct connection with UC but I believe feeling down for so long, mentally and physically, does take its toll. 
Posted 7/6/2012 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed when I was 55 years old. Now, ten years later, my skin is still clear, soft and relatively wrinkle-free. I'm still seen as being at least ten years younger than my actual age, even if I'm only wearing a little blusher and mascara. (I do usually wear a tinted moisturizer with SPF.) I attribute this to good genes as both of my parents always looked young, and to the fact I've always had to avoid the sun because I sunburn so easily.

I do think chronic illness and the depression that comes with it can definitely age some more quickly than others, though.
Posted 7/7/2012 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I look young for my age. I still get pimples - that may be part of why people think I am younger.
Posted 7/7/2012 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
For me, I don't think the UC directly has caused me to age prematurely, but I haven't been exercising much this past year and my struggles w/ my colon and the stress of my job and my husband's unemployment has worn me down mentally and physically, so THAT definitely has aged me. Once I'm working out again and feeling more "well" in general, I'm hoping I'll look a little younger than my years. So I would agree that it's a lot about how you take care of yourself and perhaps the UC could more indirectly cause premature aging.

Chinamom
Posted 7/7/2012 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Decreased anti oxidants and increased oxidative stress (as in UC) so in theory, yes, it can make you age faster. Is it significant, dunno... Should you stress about it? No cause you can't change it :P
Posted 7/7/2012 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
From the replies it appears there may be an effect in the opposite direction, if you don't use pred. Unintentional calorie restriction can slow aging, as it potentially triggers genetic responses when the body is in "starvation" mode. People also think I look younger than my 42 years.
Posted 7/7/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I remember reading some research papers that might be relevant to this. It was shown that patients with UC always had a higher TIMP-1:MMP-1 ratio in their blood plasma compared to patients without UC. MMP-1 (or collagenase) is an enzyme that breaks down collagen, and TIMP-1 is what inhibits that enzyme. In theory, the higher levels of TIMP-1 in our blood plasma can potentially slow down the rate of collagenase activity in the dermis, assuming that they bind to any and all collagenase. That's a good thing, since down-regulation of TIMP-1 plays a major role in the degradation of our skin.

ColitisMastery said...
Decreased anti oxidants and increased oxidative stress (as in UC) so in theory, yes, it can make you age faster. Is it significant, dunno... Should you stress about it? No cause you can't change it :P

The oxidative stress is localized to the colon.

Post Edited (Max89) : 7/7/2012 3:19:43 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/8/2012 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
     Max89......HUH? tongue
Posted 7/8/2012 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
This is one of the things I was most worried about when diagnosed and on prednisone + asacol, that my devastatingly handsome looks would fade. rolleyes Sigh, what a curse this disease.

I believe STRESS is the factor, and yes steroids too.
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