Signs, Symptoms and Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis
Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, weight loss, uveitis [3], joint pain, fever, pyoderma gangrenosum, anemia, dehydration, primary sclerosing cholangitis and fatigue.
Depending on the severity of ulcerative colitis, it can be treated via the following means:
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs: Prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs is the earliest step in treatment of this disease. They help to reduce inflammation. They include, 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids.
- Use of immunosuppressants: They help to suppress the immune system, which attacks the large intestines. Immunosuppressants include cyclosporine.
- Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes like changing one’s diet also hastens the treatment of the disease.
- Surgery: If the disease is very severe, and medications aren’t working, surgery might be needed to remove the entire colon.