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Ulcerative colitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis

Treatment:

The goals of treatment are to control the acute attacks, prevent repeated attacks, and help the healing of the colon. Hospitalization is often required for severe attacks. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Medications that may be used to decrease the frequency of attacks include 5-aminosalicylates such as mesalamine and immunomodulators such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. An intravenous medicine called infliximab has also been shows to improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Surgery to remove the colon will cure ulcerative colitis and removes the threat of colon cancer. Patients may need an ostomy (a surgical opening in the abdominal wall), or a procedure that connects the small intestine to the anus to help the patient gain more normal bowel function.

Support Groups:

Social support can often help with the stress of dealing with illness, and support group members may also have useful tips for finding the best treatment and coping with the condition.

For more information visit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) web site at www.ccfa.org .

Expectations (prognosis):

The course of the disease generally varies. Ulcerative colitis may be inactive and then get worse over a period of years. Sometimes ulcerative colitis can be a fulminant (quickly progressing) disease. A permanent and complete cure is unusual.

The risk of colon cancer increases in each decade after ulcerative colitis is diagnosed.

Complications:

• Tears or holes (perforation) in the colon
• Cancer
• Massive bleeding in the colon
• Colon narrowing
• Inflammation of the joints
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Lesions in the eye
• Mouth ulcers
• Liver disease
• Impaired growth and sexual development in children
• Pyoderma gangrenosum (skin ulcer)
• Complications of corticosteroid therapy

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop persistent abdominal pain, new or increased bleeding, persistent fever, or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Call your health care provider if you have ulcerative colitis and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

• Review Date: 10/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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