Nuclear medicine uses an isotope to see where there are diseased areas. The isotope will collect where there is an increase of blood flow. Broken blood vessels and ulcers will cause blood flow to increase. A blood test can be done to detect anemia, which can be a result of the inflammation. A stool sample is taken to test for the presence of blood or bacteria.
Ulcerative colitis is incurable but can be treated to lessen the symptoms.
A special diet is usually tried first. The patient is told to avoid seasoned foods, dairy products, and red meat. The individual's stress level should be reduced. Drug treatments are usually the next step. Salicylates, sulfasalazine, azathioprine are a few specific drugs.