The Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Process

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness. Typical medicines don't always help as far as totally relieving all discomfort. Sometimes it is simply a matter of getting discomfort to a manageable level. That is usually what occurs when the illness is first diagnosed. The initial spate of symptoms are dealt with as they "present" to the physician and then once brought under control a maintaining medication (or no medication) is used.

Treatment options are based on the location of the problem in the bowel as well as the severity. As I have said in other articles, I was treated with "Cortenema" because my problem was a "near rectal case" and the situation was easily located from that position. Cortenama is a steroid enema and one will find that in most cases a steroid is the initial treatment option.

Another way of looking at ulcerative colitis is as an inflammatory bowel disease; in other words, the ulcerations are imbedded in an inflamed bowel. The first order of business is to get rid of the inflammation and that is done with a steroid; often that steroid is Prednisone.

The problem with Prednisone, or I should say long term use of it in treatment, is that it compromises the immune system. Therefore most physicians, once the inflammation is under control, if medication is still needed, will opt more for soothants (such as "internal topocity" (like Mylanta) and "relaxants" (such as Valium) or anti-anxiety medication (such as Ativan).

When a person is in remission, the type of medication often used for maintenance therapy is some form of mesalamine. One brand which is represented by that name is Asacol. This type of medication is designed to prevent flares. Other types of medications that can be used are antidiarreal medications (perhaps Imodium) as well as antispasmodic meds (again relaxants such as Valium are helpful).

Two treatment medications that are fairly new include Imuran, which aids in remission and helps prevent the need for steroids, (this treatment is also used for people with immune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis), and a cutting edge therapy that is referred to as a Biologic; it works in concert with bodily functions and prevents flares. The only one that I know of is Remicade.

Of course, sometimes, severe ulcerative colitis may not leave room for treatment options. Severe ulcerative colitis left untreated, or unresponsive to standard therapies, can cause gangrene; therefore, sometimes surgery to remove part of the bowel is necessary and in drastic cases it is also necessary to create a new rectal opening. Treatment after this kind of treatment involves everything already mentioned with the addition of learning new methods for bowel care with respect to basic hygiene.

Treatment options include treatments regarding diet which is often a matter of trial and error. In my case, a lot of water along with exercise greatly aids my day-to-day quality of life.

Further treatment chosen by people include the use of fruits and vegetables to provide certain vitamins which aid in battling problems with the immune system or basic bowel comfort. Examples may include bananas for Potassium and oranges for Vitamin C.

Typically, if a flare does occur, steroids will be used to bring the situation under control.

Generally speaking, when a person is diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, the initial course of treatment will be steroidal therapy or surgery, based on the severity and location. After that, there are a number of medications and foods, (not to mention life style changes), that can be used to keep this chronic illness under control.