Natural remedies, medications, and beyond.
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| | The goal of treating ulcerative colitis (UC) is to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, slow progression, and support remission.
Medication is usually the first-line treatment for UC. Different medications aim to decrease swelling, relieve irritation from inflammation, and reduce how often you experience flare-ups to allow your colon to heal. A doctor may prescribe one of these five classes of medications: | | 1. | Aminosalicylates work to reduce colon inflammation and flare frequency. They're used for people with mild to moderate UC. | | | 2. | Corticosteroids can suppress the body's immune system response to decrease inflammation. They're recommended for people with moderate to severe active UC. | | | 3. | Immunomodulator drugs also reduce the body's immune system response to help you stay in remission for longer periods of time. They're commonly prescribed as an off-label treatment for people who don't find relief from aminosalicylates or corticosteroids. | | | 4. | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors block the body's immune system signals that lead to inflammation. These drugs work quicker than other treatments and are used for people with moderate to severe UC. | | | 5. | Biologics are developed in a lab from a living organism with the goal of preventing specific proteins from causing inflammation. If no other medications work for you, you may be prescribed a biologic. | | There are many different brand names within the classes listed above, each with its own list of side effects to consider.
Your prescription may not offer the relief you're looking for right away. It often takes some trial and error to find the option that's most effective for you.
If you're concerned about costs, consider looking into prescription programs or discount cards like Optum Perks to reduce your monthly spending. | | When should you consider surgery? | Surgery is another treatment option for people with severe symptoms or complications when less invasive options haven't been effective.
Types of surgeries include an ileostomy, proctocolectomy, or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis — depending on the surgery, part or all of your colon, rectum, or anus may be modified or removed, which could lead to an ostomy bag.
The important thing to take away is that there are many, many treatment options available. As we mentioned on Day 1, it's vital to find healthcare providers who are knowledgeable about the condition and can work with you to get you the best care available. | | | | Lifestyle changes | | While medication is the most effective treatment for UC, natural remedies and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms for some people. These can include: | | • | consuming herbs like ginseng, turmeric, or Boswellia | | | | | • | doing low impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga | | | | | | | Find support | If all of these recommendations feel overwhelming, try not to stress. You don't have to manage UC alone! Having a support network and professional care team who understand your needs can keep you on track toward better health and improved quality of life.
Here are some resources that may help support you along your journey of managing UC: | | • | Healthgrades: Find specialists in your area by searching for doctors by location or condition, backed by millions of patient reviews.* | | | • | Bezzy IBD: Connect with other people who know exactly what you're going through.* | | | | | *Healthgrades, Bezzy, and Healthline are all owned by RVO Health. | | Thanks for completing our miniseries! | If you're not already subscribed, you'll start to receive our Digestive Health newsletter every Tuesday and Thursday. These newsletters are full of articles, tips, and resources that can help you better manage your health while living with UC. To personalize the content you receive each week, please check off the topics that matter most to you by clicking here.
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