Ulcerative Colitis: When Surgery Is Needed - Topic Overview
Surgery is likely to be needed for ulcerative colitis when:
- Medicines and nutritional therapy have failed to manage severe symptoms.
- Toxic megacolon does not respond to medical treatment within 4 days (or sooner in some cases).
- Holes develop in the large intestine (perforation).
- You have colon cancer, a significantly increased risk of cancer (detected by biopsies), or a narrowing in the intestine that cannot be distinguished from cancer, even if you do not have symptoms of active disease.
- Severe, disabling complications occur outside the colon. But many complications do not respond to surgery.
- Severe bleeding requires ongoing blood transfusions.
- Slow growth or other serious complications occur in children.
People may choose to have surgery to improve their quality of life, cure ulcerative colitis, or prevent the possibility of colon cancer.
Exercising When You Have a GI Disorder
Staying physically fit is a constant struggle for Stephanie Horgan, who, like millions of Americans with gastrointestinal disorders, has to plan her diet, her exercise routines, and her entire life around her condition. "I'm really active now, doing kickboxing, jogging, Spinning at the gym, and eating whatever I want," says the 26-year-old Chicago resident, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 18 and had three surgeries within a year. "But you never know when you're going to have...
Read the Exercising When You Have a GI Disorder article > >
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Today in Ulcerative Colitis
WebMD Special Sections
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.