Definition
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of severe, chronic
inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD), which causes:
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
- Bleeding in the lining of the colon and rectum
Treatment
Treatment options may include:
Dietary Changes
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods that trigger symptoms, such as:
Talk to your doctor to learn more about the types of foods that you should avoid.
Medications
There are a range of medicines that may be prescribed, such as:
- Aminosalicylate medicines (such as, sulfasalazine,
mesalamine, olsalazine,
balsalazide disodium)
- Steroid anti-inflammatory medicines (such as, prednisone,
methylprednisolone, budesonide)
- Immune modifier medicines (such as, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine)
- Biological agents (such as,
infliximab, adalimumab)
Surgery
Medicine may not cure very severe UC. In some cases, your doctor may suggest
surgery. This can involve having all or part of the colon removed. Surgery may also be done because UC increases your risk of
colon cancer.
Over time, colitis that is not treated or that does not respond to treatment can lead to:
If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, follow your doctor's
instructions.