The goals of treatment are to control the acute attacks, prevent recurrent attacks, and promote healing of the colon. Hospitalization is often required for severe attacks. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Medications that may be used to decrease the frequency of attacks include 5-aminosalicylates such as mesalamine and immunomodulators such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine.

Surgery to remove the colon will cure ulcerative colitis and removes the threat of colon cancer. Patients may need an ostomy or an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, a procedure that connects the small intestine to the anus to help the patient gain more normal bowel function.

Social support can often help with the stress of dealing with illness, and support group members may also have useful tips for finding the best treatment and coping with the condition.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) may be accessed at www.ccfa.org.

The course of the disease generally varies, with remissions and exacerbations over a period of years. Sometimes ulcerative colitis can be a fulminant (quickly progressing) disease. A permanent and complete cure is unusual.

The risk of colon cancer increases in each decade after ulcerative colitis is diagnosed.

• Perforation of the colon
• Carcinoma
• Massive colonic hemorrhage
• Colon stricture
• Inflammation of the joints
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Lesions in the eye
• Mouth ulcers
• Liver disease
• Impaired growth and sexual development in children
• Pyoderma gangrenosum
• Complications of corticosteroid therapy

Call your health care provider if you develop persistent abdominal pain, new or increased bleeding, persistent fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Call your health care provider if you have ulcerative colitis and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.