There is ulcerative colitis treatment research being done in dozens of medical research labs, universities and drug companies every day. According to recent statistics provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, approximately 270 clinical trials on ulcerative colitis have recently been completed or are currently in progress. Millions of individuals worldwide could benefits from new ulcerative colitis treatments developed as a result of these clinical trials.

Ulcerative colitis is not typically fatal. In the United States, there are around three hundred deaths a year because of it. Nonetheless, it is considered to be a serious digestive condition which causes approximately eighty thousand hospitalizations every year. There are more than two million prescriptions for ulcerative colitis medications filled annually.

Ulcerative colitis occurs when inflammation causes ulcers to develop in the lining of the intestines, including the colon. The ulcers bleed and secrete pus..

At the present time, no cures for ulcerative colitis exist. A number of ulcerative colitis medications (described below) may help alleviate painful symptoms These drugs may also reduce inflammation, slow down the progress of the disease, prevent complications, and replace blood and nutritional losses. Plus, ulcerative colitis medicine may help damaged tissues heal, prevent new flare ups, and lower the necessity of surgery in the future.

Your doctors will choose ulcerative colitis treatments and medications based on any possible complications you may be experiencing and the section of the colon or intestines where the disease is located. He or she will also consider how advanced the disorder has become.

If the disease is in the mild to moderate stage, the first choice of medications is usually aminosalicylates. Two types of medications are usually the first choice of doctors for patients in this situation: sulfasalazine or mesalamine. The purpose of aminosalicylates is to decrease inflammation, promote remission, and render the disorder inactive. Generally, aminosalicylates will keep mild or moderate cases of ulcerative colitis in remission, which is regarded as a period of time in which you experience no symptoms.

When aminosalicylates are ineffective, the second option is usually treatment with corticosteroids. The main purpose of corticosteroids is to eliminate inflammation, and they'll only be used as long as it takes to bring inflammation under control. Once this goal has been reached, your doctor will probably resume aminosalicylate treatments.

You may need to try other medications if aminosalicylates and corticosteroids are ineffective in bringing your disorder into remission. Typically, such medicine would include immunomodulators, cyclosporine, and infliximab. The main purpose of these medications is to regulate the response of your immune system to your disease. By doing so, there will be less inflammation, and therefore, fewer symptoms.

It's important for pregnant women to discuss their options for ulcerative colitis medications with their doctor. Aminosalicylates and corticosteroids are generally safe for women who are pregnant, especially if your doctor believes your disorder may be more harmful to your unborn child than any effects of the medicine. There are a number of ulcerative colitis medicines your doctor can prescribe that are appropriate for different stages of your pregnancy and the severity of your symptoms.

The nicotine patch may actually have benefits as an ulcerative colitis treatment, according to several studies. Data has not firmly established, however, just how effective the nicotine patch can be at preventing flare ups. It's also not certain how long benefits of using the patch may last. Not only that, but there can other harmful side effects from nicotine - including addiction. Because of this, most doctors will only recommend the nicotine patch if all other medications have failed.

As noted above, hundreds or researchers and medical scientists are conducting studies to learn why we get ulcerative colitis, the damage it causes to the colon and intestines, and new treatments that are more effective than what we have now. Hopefully, all their efforts will soon pay off in new ulcerative colitiis treatments that alleviate the pain and suffering of those who have this disease. Perhaps, even finding cures for ulcerative colitis may be possible.