This procedure involves filling the colon with barium, a chalky white solution. The barium shows up white on x-ray film, allowing the doctor a clear view of the colon, including any ulcers or other abnormalities that might be there. Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends on the seriousness of the disease. Most people are treated with medication. In severe cases, a patient may need surgery to remove the diseased colon.
Surgery is the only cure for ulcerative colitis.
Each person may experience ulcerative colitis differently, so treatment is adjusted for each individual. Emotional and psychological support is important. However, most patients' symptoms eventually return. This changing pattern of the disease means one cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. Someone with ulcerative colitis may need medical care for some time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition.