Treating Ulcerative Colitis: Understanding Your Options
In this video, learn what medications and lifestyle changes may help treat a chronic inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation, swelling, and sores (ulcers) on the inner lining of the colon. Each year, approximately 38,000 Americans are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
There’s no cure for UC, but a proper treatment plan can help patients manage symptoms and even achieve remission — which is a period of no symptoms — for years.
- Todd B. Linden, MDDr. Linden is a gastroenterologist based in New York City and a clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health.
- Sergey Khaitov, MDDr. Khaitov is a surgeon specializing in colon and rectal surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital.
References
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. (2014). The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. (n.d.). Ulcerative colitis treatment options.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Ulcerative colitis.
Meier, J. (2011). Current treatment of ulcerative colitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology.
Peppercorn, M.A., et al. (2023). Ulcerative Colitis (beyond the basics). UpToDate.