Ulcerative Colitis

In fact, they are often mistaken for one another.

Both conditions inflame the lining of the digestive tract, and both can cause severe bouts of watery diarrhea and abdominal pain.

"We don't know what exactly causes these diseases," said Camacho.

"However, the immune system and certain genetic and environmental factors may play a role." Loyola is currently recruiting 40 patients as part of the one-year study.

Patients will be randomized to either the 15-minute infusion, along with vitamin D and calcium versus calcium and vitamin D only.

Patients who receive the IV medication also would undergo tests to evaluate and measure bone formation, density and destruction at two weeks; one month; three months; six months and a year.

Zoledronic acid is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypercalcemia (high levels of blood calcium) that may occur in patients with some types of cancer, or in cancers that have spread to the bones.

Zoledronic acid works by acting on the cells that cause bones to be broken down.

In addition, zoledronic acid is used to treat multiple myeloma - tumors formed by the bone marrow cells.

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