Ulcerative Colitis

When To Call A Professional

New or changing symptoms often mean that additional treatment is needed to keep ulcerative colitis under control. For this reason, people who have ulcerative colitis should be in frequent contact with their physicians. Common symptoms that require a doctor's immediate attention are fever, which could indicate infection or a ruptured intestine, and heavy bleeding from the rectum. A serious, but uncommon, complication, called megacolon, results when the colon inflammation is so severe that it stops the colon's motion. Megacolon causes the abdomen to swell, which can cause vomiting or severe abdominal pain and bloating. Megacolon requires emergency treatment.

Prognosis

Ulcerative colitis can affect people very differently. Many people have only mild symptoms and do not require continuous treatment with medicines. Others might require multiple medicines or surgery. Unless it is treated with surgery, this disease is a lifelong condition. Ulcerative colitis requires people to pay special attention to their health needs and to seek frequent medical care, but it does not prevent most people from having normal jobs and productive lives. As is the case for any chronic illness, it can be helpful for a person newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis to seek advice from a support group of other people with the disease.

Additional Info

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America 386 Park Ave. South 17th Floor New York, NY 10016 Phone: (212) 685-3440 Toll-Free: (800) 932-2423 Fax: (212) 779-4098 http://www.ccfa.org/

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders 31 Center Dr. Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: (301) 496-3583 Fax: (301) 496-7422 http://www.niddk.nih.gov/