Ulcerative Colitis at 20x Magnification

Treatments for ulcerative colitis vary and are based on factors such as the extent of the disease, the severity of the symptoms, and the patient’s general health. The disease cannot be cured with medications, but medications are commonly used to induce and maintain remission, as well as to decrease the severity of symptoms. Drugs that are often utilized in this way include anti-inflammatories, including corticosteroids and compounds with the active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid, and immunomodulators. In instances of toxic megacolon, poor response to medications, precancercous changes in colon cells, or other problematic cases of ulcerative colitis, surgery may be considered necessary. Surgery for the condition may entail partial or complete removal of the colon.