How to Treat Colitis

Colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, is an inflammation of the colon that occurs chronically. If you have colitis, you experience stomach pain, diarrhea and bleeding from the rectum. Due to the nature of colitis symptoms, you need to receive treatment as soon as possible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Visit a gastroenterologist. A GI doctor will help you reach the colitis diagnosis by performing an exam and several tests. She may order a blood test and a barium enema to determine that you have colitis.

2. Take any anti-inflammatory medications that your doctor prescribes. In order to reduce the inflammation that occurs in the colon, your doctor may choose to give you anti-inflammatory medications. Popular brands prescribed include Asacol and Pentasa.

3. Find out if you need an immunomodulator. This type of treatment is only used in very serious colitis cases. The patient takes the immunomodulator in order to suppress their own immune system.

4. Check with your doctor about the need for surgery. Severe colitis cases may require the removal of all of the person's colon and rectum. This is not typical and usually only happens in people that are not responding to any medications.

5. Ask your doctor about the new treatment that uses nicotine. This method was developed after it was found that you are more likely to develop ulcerative colitis if you are a non-smoker.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have colitis, you are at an increased risk for colon cancer. Your doctor may recommend regular colonoscopies in order to achieve early detection.
• Colitis is a disease that typically begins in adolescence and early adulthood. Most colitis suffers begin showing symptoms between the ages of 15 and 30.

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