1. Quiet the Inflammation
Calming the inflammation present in your body is one of the first treatments you'll undergo when you have ulcerative colitis. In this inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers form on the lining of your colon and rectum. Two different classes of drugs are used to reduce inflammation of this kind. Depending on the location of your ulcers and your overall health, you may be given medications orally, through an IV or as a suppository.
Sulfasalazine, olsalazine, mesalamine and balsalazide are all medications in a group called 5-ASA. If you're allergic to sulfa drugs, you can't take sulfasalazine, but can use the others without serious side effects.
Corticosteroid medications, including prednisone and hydrocortisone, act as anti-inflammatory agents when used to treat certain bowel diseases. Steroid medications carry a long list of serious side effects, including mood swings, the development of facial hair and significant weight gain. For this reason, they are generally used on a short-term basis, if possible.
2. Induce Remission
One of the goals of treatment for ulcerative colitis is to move your body into a state of remission. You may take a medicine that's an immunosuppressant, in addition to--or instead of--anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as anything you're taking for pain control. It is quite normal for people who have ulcerative colitis to be in remission for a period of time but relapse in the future.
3. Check Into the Hospital
You may need to check into the hospital to be able to treat your colitis safely and effectively if your condition is too severe to manage at home. In the proper environment, it can be easier to control your diarrhea, reverse your dehydration, treat your anemia and control your pain.
4. Consider Surgery
It's possible that, with the right medications, your ulcerative colitis will heal, and you can get back to your normal activities. When that's not possible, surgery can be performed. Doctors may remove inflamed portions of your colon; in some cases, your entire colon and rectum may need to be removed (in a procedure called a proctocolectomy). If you do need to have a proctocolectomy, your doctor will also perform an ileostomy--he'll create a small hole in your abdominal area that can be fitted with a bag to collect your waste. Proctocolectomies and ileostomies are performed in very severe cases of bleeding and rupturing of your colon, or if you have developed colon cancer as a result of your ulcerative colitis.
