The Future of Ulcerative Colitis: Research & Maximizing the Possibilities

Ulcerative colitis is an extremely painful autoimmune disease that affects part of the digestive tract. It causes uncontrollable and painful bouts of diarrhea and severe stomach cramping. Often, the diarrhea is bloody.

Because of the severity of the flare ups, working is almost impossible for many sufferers and totally out of the question for others. In addition, even leaving the house is sometimes difficult or impossible. The only ways to lead a normal life when you suffer from ulcerative colitis is get creative or to find a treatment plan that puts your ulcerative colitis into remission.

Another problem for ulcerative colitis sufferers is the restricted diet. For any ulcerative colitis sufferer whose disease is not in remission, things like dairy products, nuts, some vegetables and fried foods, among others, are off limits because they can cause a flare up. Once ulcerative colitis is in remission, the diet can be expanded some.

All of these problems make ulcerative colitis a very difficult and inconvenient disease. For this reason, like many other ulcerative colitis sufferers, I am anxious when I learn of new treatments being tested.

A lot of prominent universities and medical centers, including the Mayo Clinic, are doing research to help improve the quality of life for people who suffer from ulcerative colitis. Some of this research is limited to drug research and other research involves lifestyle changes.

I can remember having to take a series of different medications that were all on a different schedule. This was very hard for me to remember. I have always had difficulty remembering to take medications. It has come to the point where I have to set alarms on my cell phone to remind me of what medications I need to take and when I need to take them.

One of the advances that I am particularly excited about is biologics, such as Lialda. My doctor suggested that I try this medication in the near future. This is a biologic treatment that allows the ulcerative colitis sufferer to take one round of pills per day. This is a big advance because instead of taking medications as much as 12 times per day, an ulcerative colitis sufferer only has to remember to take pills once per day. There are a couple of other biologics that are given by shot but my doctor recommended that I try the pill form first.

Every day, a researcher somewhere will find some small bit of information that will eventually help all ulcerative colitis sufferers to live a better life. I hope that some of this research leads to the discovery of a way to determine a way to diagnose and determine the proper treatments for each person by using DNA instead of having to go through a long trial and error process.

I know that the only way that any of this will be possible is for people with ulcerative colitis to be open to participating in studies and in focus groups so that researchers can find out what works in each individual case. Because of this, it is very important for everyone who has ulcerative colitis take a pro active stand when trying to fight this disease.

Anyone who suffers from ulcerative colitis has a dream of leading a normal life. I am no exception to this rule. I now know, however, that all you have to do lead a normal life with ulcerative colitis is be willing to think outside of the box. Change your perception of what is normal and that will lessen the stress in your life and make it easier to deal with your ulcerative colitis.