Fibers or bulking agents, such as psyllium, are helpful. One should avoid products that fight diarrhea during an acute attack. These products may be helpful at night for persons with mild, chronic symptoms. Severe cases require a hospital stay. All feeding is by the vein.
Treatment is aimed at restoring balance to the blood chemistry, and resting the gut.
Patients with more severe disease will require surgery. Surgery removes the colon. The small intestine is then surgically attached to either an internal pouch or a new opening in the abdomen. This cures their disease. Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colon cancer.