Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis | NIDDK – National Institute of …

How do doctors treat ulcerative colitis?

Doctors treat ulcerative colitis with medicines and surgery. Each person experiences ulcerative colitis differently, and doctors recommend treatments based on how severe ulcerative colitis is and how much of the large intestine is affected. Doctors most often treat severe and fulminantulcerative colitis in a hospital.

Doctors prescribe medicines to reduce inflammationin the large intestine and to help bring on and maintain remissiona time when your symptoms disappear. People with ulcerative colitis typically need lifelong treatment with medicines unless they have surgery to remove the colon and rectum.

Which medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on how severe ulcerative colitis is. Ulcerative colitis medicines that reduce inflammation in the large intestine include

Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have

To treat ulcerative colitis, surgeons typically remove the colon and rectum and change how your body stores and passes stool. The most common types of surgery for ulcerative colitis are

Surgery may be laparoscopic or open. In laparoscopic surgery, surgeons make small cuts in your abdomen and insert special tools to view, remove, or repair organs and tissues. In open surgery, surgeons make a larger cut to open your abdomen.

If you are considering surgery to treat ulcerative colitis, talk with your doctor or surgeon about what type of surgery might be right for you and the possible risks and benefits.

Doctors may recommend or prescribe other treatments for symptoms or complications of ulcerative colitis. Talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines.

To treat mild pain, doctors may recommend acetaminophen instead of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). People with ulcerative colitis should avoid taking NSAIDs for pain because these medicines can make symptoms worse.

To prevent or slow loss of bone mass and osteoporosis, doctors may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements or medicines, if needed. For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using dietary supplements or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices.

Doctors most often treat severe complications in a hospital. Doctors may give

Doctors may treat life-threatening complications with surgery.

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Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis | NIDDK - National Institute of ...