Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva

Ulcerative colitis treatment begins with accurate diagnosis and is selected individually, depending on the severity of the disease, the location of inflammation, the patient's condition and any complications of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms to Watch For

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine with alternating flare-ups (relapses) and remissions. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

• blood and mucus in the stool;
• diarrhea and abdominal pain, frequent urges to have a bowel movement;
• tenesmus: a false urge to defecate without emptying the bowel;
• increased fatigue and weight loss during a flare-up;
• in some patients, an elevated body temperature;
• symptoms outside the intestine: joint pain, skin or eye involvement.

The severity of symptoms depends on how far the inflammation extends, from involvement of the rectum alone to total colitis.

Diagnosis: X-ray, Colonoscopy and Other Examinations

The following are used to establish the diagnosis:

• colonoscopy with a mucosal biopsy: the main method for visualizing the intestine and confirming the diagnosis;
• X-ray in ulcerative colitis to assess the extent of involvement;
• laboratory blood and stool tests, including fecal calprotectin, to detect signs of inflammation;
• screening for complications of ulcerative colitis: toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer in long-standing disease.

Based on the results, the doctor determines whether chronic ulcerative colitis is present, assesses the extent and activity of inflammation, and selects a treatment protocol.

Diet and Nutrition in Ulcerative Colitis

Nutrition in ulcerative colitis involves a gentle diet that reduces the load on the inflamed mucosa. During a flare-up (relapse), coarse fiber, spicy, fried and very fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine are limited, while in remission a wider diet is allowed, in consultation with a doctor or dietitian. A proper diet can help maintain remission alongside drug therapy and help prevent deficiencies caused by ongoing losses in the stool.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Methods

The treatment plan depends on the activity of inflammation and the response to previous treatment:

• 5-aminosalicylic acid drugs: baseline therapy for maintaining remission in mild to moderate disease;
• corticosteroids: for quick control of a flare-up;
• immunosuppressants and biologic therapy: for moderate to severe disease or resistance to previous regimens;
• surgical treatment: considered for complications or when drug therapy is not effective;
• for patients with severe or refractory disease, when standard therapy does not give a sufficient effect, stem cell treatment may be considered, according to medical indications, in a lawful format, after assessing the risks and with the patient's informed consent. The evidence for this approach is still limited and its effectiveness is being studied.

How Much Does Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Cost?

The cost of therapy depends on the severity of the disease, whether biologic therapy or other modern treatments are needed, the scope of examinations and the frequency of follow-up. The exact cost of ulcerative colitis treatment in your case will be given by the doctor after assessing your condition at a gastroenterologist consultation.

Why Choose Our Clinic for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment?

Our team supports patients with inflammatory bowel disease at every stage, from diagnosis to selecting biologic therapy and monitoring remission. A gastroenterologist, dietitian and other relevant specialists may be involved as needed. This comprehensive approach is what we rely on in treating ulcerative colitis. This service is part of the Center of Modern Medicine within our multidisciplinary hospital in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, where a gastroenterologist works and ultrasound is available for a comprehensive examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can ulcerative colitis be cured completely?
   The disease is chronic, but with proper treatment lasting remission can be achieved. In complex cases, when standard therapy does not work, the doctor may consider additional methods, including stem cell treatment, if there are medical indications.
2. Which tests and examinations are needed for diagnosis?
   Colonoscopy with biopsy, laboratory blood and stool tests, including fecal calprotectin, and, if needed, X-ray and additional examinations to assess complications of ulcerative colitis.
3. How much does ulcerative colitis treatment cost?
   The cost depends on the severity of the disease and the chosen treatment plan, including whether biologic therapy is needed. Please ask at the consultation.
4. What is the prognosis in ulcerative colitis?
   With adherence to the prescribed treatment and regular follow-up, the prognosis in ulcerative colitis is generally favorable: many patients achieve long-term remission, although the disease requires ongoing monitoring because of the risk of flare-ups.
5. Which doctor should I see if I suspect ulcerative colitis?
   A gastroenterologist, who will order a colonoscopy and laboratory tests, on the basis of which an individual treatment protocol is selected.