Ulcerative Colitis

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis belongs to the same family of illnesses such as Crohn’s disease. As an autoimmune disease that affects the GI tract, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease often share similar symptomatology. However, ulcerative colitis predominantly affects the lining of the large intestine, causing more disturbances in the lower GI tract than Crohn’s.

  • Abdominal pain and cramping

  • Diarrhea

  • Blood or puss in stool

  • Rectal bleeding

  • Rectal pain

  • Frequent need or urgency to defecate

  • Inability to defecate even with urgent need to

  • Fatigue

  • Fever

  • Weight loss

While while there is no cure ulcerative colitis, symptoms can be managed and remission can be achieved.

Common Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis Include:

Treating ulcerative colitis first and foremost requires strict dietary and lifestyle changes to ensure a high quality of life. Although certain foods do not cause ulcerative colitis, you may find that certain foods can exacerbate your symptoms.

With dietary changes, your doctor will often prescribe a variety of medications that can help reduce and suppress inflammation in the colon. For those that are not responsive to medication, sometimes surgical interventions such as a colectomy are necessary to prevent any life-threatening complications.

However, before surgical interventions, most physicians will recommend the use of a biological infusion. Biologic infusions help switch off proteins in your immune system that are believed to trigger immune responses that attack healthy tissues in your GI tract.

Biological infusions prescribed for ulcerative colitis: Avsola, Entyvio, Remicade, Renflexis, and Stelara

How is Ulcerative Colitis Treated?

The Flourish Difference

At Flourish, our mission is providing patients with expert medical care and a relaxing spa-like infusion experience. Data suggests that care at ambulatory infusion centers costs over 50% less than the same services offered at hospitals. We also increase affordability with co-pay assistance and additional financial aid programs to our patients. Our clinical model ensures a 3:1 patient to nurse ratio. Popular entertainment streaming options, high speed WiFi access, relaxing recliners, and delicious food and beverage selections pamper patients and provide them with an experience they can enjoy for hours.