Disease: colitis
Question: for colitis, ulcerative colitis treatment?
Answer: UC is a chronic condition. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation that causes your symptoms to prevent flare-ups and have longer periods of remission.
Medication
Which medication you�ll take will depend on your specific situation, including how severe your symptoms are.
For mild symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce inflammation and swelling. This will help alleviate many symptoms.
These types of medications include 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA drugs) such as:
mesalamine (Asacol HD, Lialda)
sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
balsalazide (Colazal)
olsalazine (Dipentum)
Some people may need corticosteroids to help reduce inflammation, but these can have adverse effects, so doctors try to limit their use. If an infection is present, you may need antibiotics.
If you have moderate to severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe a type of medication known as a biologic. Biologics are made from antibodies and help block inflammation. Taking these can help prevent a symptom flare-up.
Effective options for most people include:
adalimumab (Humira)
golimumab (Simponi)
infliximab (Remicade)
tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
ustekinumab (Stelara)
vedolizumab (Entyvio)
A doctor may also prescribe an immunomodulator. These change the way the immune system works. Examples include methotrexate, 5-ASA drugs, and thiopurine drugs. However, current guidelines don�t recommend these as standalone treatments.
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved the use of tofacitinib (Xeljanz) as a treatment for UC. Initially used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, this medication targets cells responsible for inflammation. It�s the first oral medication approved for the long-term treatment of UC.
Hospitalization
If your symptoms are severe, you�ll need to be hospitalized to correct the effects of dehydration and loss of electrolytes that diarrhea causes. You may also need to replace blood and to treat any other complications.
Researchers continue to look for new treatments each year. Learn more about the newest UC treatments.
Ulcerative colitis surgery
Surgery is necessary if you experience:
substantial blood loss
chronic and debilitating symptoms
perforation of your colon
a severe blockage
A CT scan or colonoscopy can detect these serious problems.
Surgery typically involves removing your entire colon and rectum as well as creating a new pathway for waste. This pathway can be out through a small opening in your abdominal wall.
To redirect waste through your abdominal wall, the surgeon will make a small opening in the wall. The tip of your lower small intestine, or the ileum, is then brought to the skin�s surface. Waste will drain through the opening into a bag.
In other types of surgery, the surgeon removes the diseased part of your colon and rectum but retains the outer muscles of your rectum. The surgeon then attaches your small intestine to the rectum to form a small pouch. After this surgery, you�re able to pass stool through your rectum. Bowel movements will be more frequent and watery than normal.
In certain procedures, the anus is also removed. Read more about each of the surgical options and their long-term effects.