Your physician will diagnose this condition by taking your detailed history and physical examination. In addition, your physician may order few medical tests, colonoscopy and sometimes CT scan. Overall, medical management is the first modality of treatment. Your gastroenterologist may use different medications to treat colitis based on the severity of the disease. Steroid, immuno-modulators and biologic medications are among few medications for this disease.  

As a matter of fact, patients may need a surgical intervention in many conditions if there is failure of medical management or other related conditions like bleeding, colon cancer, perforation of the colon, obstruction. Finally, surgical options include removing the total colon and rectum and giving an ileostomy (Small intestine ostomy) or a J pouch procedure. J pouch is created from small intestine to help with storage of stool and avoid a permanent ileostomy. Another key point, your surgeon can perform J pouch after the confirmation of diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.

Furthermore, please discuss with your surgeon and gastroenterologist in regards to the details of your condition. Overall, Surgery is the last option as a resort if medical management fails.

For more information on this condition please visit :

 Ulcerative Colitis | ASCRS (fascrs.org)

Ostomy – Dr Neeraj Singh (colorectaldoc.com)

Home – Colon & Rectal Care Center of Phoenix (colorectaldoc.com)