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Ulcerative Colitis

Follow along on our year-long guide to Ulcerative Colitis, exploring the latest recommendations and research on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this chronic, inflammatory bowel disease. Each month will delve into another aspect, including warning signs, symptoms, and risks; management of diarrhea, pain, bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and long-term complications; medications and surgery; special concerns about the disease in children; types, and distinguishing ulcerative colitis from irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and other GI ailments; emotional, psychosocial, and reproductive/sexual health concerns; comorbidities; self-care related to diet, exercise, behavioral interventions, and overall well-being to live with the disease; promising treatments in the pipeline; unique case studies -- all of which has undergone expert review. Every installment will include a downloadable, printable information resource for patients.

Ƶ MedicalToday

UC: Understanding the Epidemiology and Pathophysiology

–Ulcerative colitis is one of the most common chronic autoimmune conditions in Western countries
Illustration of the letter i over a hand over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

UC: Symptoms, Exams, Diagnosis

–What to look for and how to look
Illustration of a stethoscope with an electrocardiogram over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: I've Had Diarrhea That Won't Go Away -- What Should I Do?

UC: How and Why Does It Arise?

–A closer look at pathogenesis and risk factors
Illustration of a compass with an exclamation point inside a triangle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: UC--Why Me?

Case Study: Sudden Debilitating Fatigue, Difficulty Breathing in Man With Ulcerative Colitis

–Rare extra-intestinal manifestation of the disease or to its treatment?
Illustration of written case study over a colon with ulcerative colitis

UC: Initial Treatments and Response Monitoring

–Here's what the guidelines say
Illustration of pills, syringe, IV bag with text 1st in a circle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Starting Drug Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

UC: Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions

–Managing ulcerative colitis involves more than drugs
Illustration of an egg, avocado and apple in a circle; bicycle and tennis racket in another circle over a colon with UC
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Diet and Lifestyle Considerations

Ulcerative Colitis: Second-Line Treatments

–Next steps when patients do not obtain remission or lose it after initial therapy
Illustration of pills, syringe, IV bag with text 2nd Line in a circle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: My Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Isn't Working. Now What?

Case Study: Acute Flare-Up of Ulcerative Colitis After 20 Years Leads to Tragic Results

–Thorough history and examination can help avoid this complication of viral infection
Illustration of written case study over a colon with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: Helping Patients Live With Chronic Disease

–Managing patients' physical symptoms is only part of the story
Illustration of hands holding a heart with a + sign in a circle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Living With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: When Surgery Must Be Considered

–An alternative when drugs and behavioral approaches fail
Illustration of a scalpel, scissors and medical red cross in a circle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Would Surgery Help My Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis: Understanding and Identifying the Long-Term Complications

–Colorectal cancer extra-intestinal complications to consider
Illustration of a letter L with an arrow with an exclamation point inside a triangle over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Possible Long-Term Complications of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis: What's on the Horizon?

–A look at new treatments in development
Illustration of pills, syringe, IV bag over a clock and microscope over a colon with ulcerative colitis
Patient Handout
For Your Patients: Future Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis