Treatment:

The goals of treatment are to:

• Control the acute attacks
• Prevent repeated attacks
• Help the colon heal

Hospitalization is often required for severe attacks. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Medications that may be used to decrease the number of attacks include:

• 5-aminosalicylates such as mesalamine
• Immunomodulators such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine

An intravenous medicine called infliximab has also been shown 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.

Surgery is usually for patients who have colitis that does not respond to complete medical therapy, or patients who have serious complications such as:

• Rupture (perforation) of the colon
• Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Toxic megacolon

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 progress quickly. A permanent and complete cure is unusual.

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

Complications:

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

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.