• Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy
• Total proctocolectomy and ileal - anal pouch

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.

For more information, visit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) web site at www.ccfa.org.

About half of patients with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Patients with more severe ulcerative colitis tend to respond less well to medications.

Permanent and complete control of symptoms with medications is unusual. Cure is only possible through complete removal of the large intestine.

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

Repeated swelling (inflammation) leads to thickening of the intestinal wall and rectum with scar tissue. Death of colon tissue or severe infection (sepsis) may occur with severe disease.

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Blood clots
• Colorectal cancer
• Colon narrowing
• Complications of corticosteroid therapy
• Impaired growth and sexual development in children
• Inflammation of the joints (arthritis)
• Liver disease
• Massive bleeding in the colon
• Mouth ulcers
• Pyoderma gangrenosum (skin ulcer)
• Sores (lesions) in the eye
• Tears or holes (perforation) in the colon

Call your health care provider if:

• You develop persistent abdominal pain, new or increased bleeding, persistent fever, or other symptoms of ulcerative colitis
• You have ulcerative colitis and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop

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Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)