Looking for a treatment option?
Talk to your doctor to see if this treatment for moderate to severe UC could be right for you.
LEARN ABOUT A UC TREATMENT >EXPLORE YOUR ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT OPTIONS
Don’t settle. Advocate for a treatment
plan that goes to the source of your
ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms.
There are UC treatment options available that go beyond symptom relief to address the underlying inflammation that may cause UC symptoms and colon lining damage. Ask your doctor about a treatment plan that may be right for you.
EXPLORE YOUR ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT OPTIONS
Don’t settle. Advocate for a treatment
plan that goes to the source of your
ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms.
There are UC treatment options available that go beyond symptom relief to address the underlying inflammation that may cause UC symptoms and colon lining damage. Ask your doctor about a treatment plan that may be right for you.
Treating UC symptoms at the source
To get ahead of UC symptoms, first you have to know what’s behind them. UC symptoms are linked to excess inflammation that causes damage to your colon lining.
Controlling inflammation over time can help reduce UC symptoms such as frequent and urgent bowel movements, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. Controlling inflammation can also help repair the colon lining.
Controlling inflammation to help repair your colon lining and improve your symptoms is a goal of UC treatment.
UC treatments are designed to control the excess inflammation in your colon. When inflammation is suppressed, it can help relieve common UC symptoms, achieve and maintain remission, and also help heal the tissue in your colon lining.
While many UC treatments are designed to control excess inflammation, some treatments work in different ways than others. You and your doctor should discuss all treatment options and considerations to find the one that may be right for you.
What is remission?
When your UC is in remission, it means you are experiencing no symptoms. If you think about all the ways UC symptoms may be impacting your life, it’s easy to see why achieving and maintaining remission is so important.
The 3 key goals of UC treatment
There are treatments available that can help control excess inflammation in order to help you:
Controlling inflammation can help relieve UC symptoms such as frequent and urgent bowel movements, bloody stools, and abdominal pain.
Controlling inflammation can also help you achieve and maintain remission. This means you have achieved ongoing symptom relief and are able to prevent flares.
Controlling inflammation over time allows the lining of the colon to heal and can help you maintain remission.
UC treatment options at a glance
The most commonly used treatments for UC:
These drugs, given orally or rectally, are anti-inflammatory compounds that contain 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). They decrease inflammation at the wall of the intestine. Examples of 5-ASAs include sulfasalazine, balsalazide, mesalamine, and olsalazine.
Looking for a treatment option?
Finding the right UC treatment for you
Keep in mind that there’s no one treatment that will work for everyone. Each UC patient is different, and their treatment should be individualized for their unique needs.
In order to determine the right treatment approach for you, your doctor will consider several factors, such as:
Disease severity
- Where is the inflammation located in your body?
- How severe are your symptoms?
Disease progression
- Have your UC symptoms changed or gotten worse over time?
- Are you experiencing new or worsening symptoms on your current treatment?
Medical history
- What other diseases or medical conditions do you have?
- Have you had success with your UC medication?
Start the conversation
Remember, you are your own best advocate. So don’t hesitate to discuss your symptoms and goals. Here are 3 tips for having a productive treatment conversation at your next doctor’s visit:
Set clear treatment goals with your doctor
Openly communicate with your doctor about your symptoms
Ask about treatment options that may be right for you
Think about these topics in advance, so you’re better prepared for the discussion.
What about surgery for UC?
Medication is often the first treatment option for UC. But there are cases in which people with UC might require surgery. For example, surgery may be needed when complications arise from damage to the colon. Complications can include bleeding, abnormal growths, or precancerous lesions. Surgery in UC usually involves removal of the colon and rectum. This is called a proctocolectomy and can take different forms.
Surgery may not be a cure-all for UC symptoms. Individuals can still have symptoms that need to be well managed following surgery.
Keep in mind that it is possible to find a treatment that can help you achieve remission without surgery.
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