Treatment for ulcerative colitis is different from one child to another. What helps one patient may not help another. Treatment for ulcerative colitis depends upon many things: The goal of treatment is to: Some patients go into remission (the symptoms of ulcerative colitis go away). However, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to come back (a "flare"). Several different types of medicines may be used to help control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Each helps decrease theswelling in the lining of the colon. Anti-inflammatory drugs (aminosalicylates or 5-ASA drugs) are usually used to treat mild to medium symptoms. Some examples are Asacol HD, Pentasa, Lialda, Apriso and Colazal. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, help to put a patient with medium to severe symptoms into remission. These drugs are not good to use for a long time because of side effects. Drugs that suppress or quiet the immune system (immunomodulators) are used in medium to severeulcerative colitis to help patients stay in remission. Some examples are Imuran (azathioprine), purinethol (6-MP) and methotrexate. Antibiotics may also be used to treat bacteria in the small intestine that can keep the inflammation going. Some examples are Flagyl (metronidazole), Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Rifaxamin. Biologics are … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine (also known as the large bowel or colon). The most common symptoms are bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain Figure 01. Ulcerative colitis involves periodic inflammation and loss of tissue (ulceration) of the lining of the large intestine. The condition produces frequent bouts of urgent, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes with abdominal cramping. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood, and is characterized by periods of exacerbations and remissions. During remissions, the person may feel well and be free of symptoms. Ulcerative colitis shares many common characteristics with Crohns disease, another inflammatory bowel disease. About 15% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease have features of both conditions, and cannot be clearly diagnosed with one or the other. Figure 01. Anatomy of the digestive system The more the bowel is inflamed, the more severe the disease. The inflammation and ulceration of ulcerative colitis is present in the rectum, and may spread up through the large intestine in a characteristically continuous manner. Disease severity depends in part on how much of the intestine is affected. If disease is confined to the rectum (proctitis), symptoms are often relatively minor. Proctosigmoiditis is the term … Continue reading →

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and the rectum become inflamed. This inflammation produces tiny sores or ulcers on the lining of the colon. It usually begins in the rectum and spreads upward. It rarely affects the small intestine beyond the lower portion. The inflammation causes the bowel to move bowel contents rapidly and empty frequently. As cells on the surface of the lining of the bowel die, ulcers (open sores) form. The ulcers may cause bleeding and discharge of mucus and pus. This disease affects people of all ages. Symptoms tend to develop when people are between the ages of 15 and 30, or between the ages of 50 and 70. The cause of this condition is not known. Researchers no longer believe that it is caused by stress. Today, research focuses on the immune system and heredity for possible causes. Most people with ulcerative colitis dont have a family history of the condition. However, you are more likely to develop it if a close family member also has the condition. Ulcerative colitis can develop in a person of any race, but it is more common … Continue reading →

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