Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Side Effects - Coping Tips

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis is a long-standing disorder of the intestines, especially when the colon and rectum become swollen. The colon is the large intestine, and the rectum is the endpoint responsible for excretion. The condition is characterized by small ulcers on the colon's lining that bleed frequently, along with discharge. The individual who has ulcerative colitis has recurring diarrhea and a bloated stomach and needs to defecate at short intervals.

Many people find the condition very stressful, considerably impacting their daily lives. While people can go for months with no or mild symptoms, there can be a sudden surge of very severe symptoms. This phase is called flare-up time. During the flare, the patients often suffer from extraintestinal symptoms such as mouth ulceration, general body pain, irritated or red eyes, and erythema nodosum (skin bumps due to the swollen fats underneath the skin).

Though the cause of the trigger or flare-up is unknown, any gut infection or stress can stimulate the flare-up. The treatment of ulcerative colitis is symptomatic and prevents flare-ups. This article will shed light on the side effects of treatment and ways to cope with them.

What Are the Side Effects of Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?

The treatment focuses on decreasing the symptoms and maintaining the symptomless phase. The treatment includes medication, though surgical treatment can be an option in severe cases.

The medication, along with its side effects, include

Aminosalicylates - It is usually the treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis. They can be used for a short period to treat flare-ups. They can be used long-term to maintain the remission of the disease. This medicine can be taken orally as capsules or tablets,as suppository capsules that can be inserted into the rectum for dissolution, or by pumping the fluid into the large intestine.

Side Effects - Side effects with this medication are infrequent. However, some people can experience,

• Headaches.

• Nausea.

• Stomach ache.

• A rash.

• Diarrhea.

Corticosteroids - The steroids are generally Prednisolone, used to reduce inflammation. They can be used with aminosalicylates to treat severe flare-ups for effective treatment. The route for administration of this medicine can be either oral or as a suppository, but long-term usage, unlike aminosalicylates, is not recommended.

The long term usage can have side effects.

Side Effects

• Acne.

• Weight gain.

• Hunger pangs quite frequently.

• Irritability.

• Lack of sleep.

Immunosuppressants - These medications suppress the immune system activity. They are generally given as tablets and used for mild to moderatesymptoms. The medication is only started if the other medication is not practical.

Side Effects

• Susceptible to infections.

• Low immunity.

• Taking more time to start.

• Anemia.

Ciclosporin - This medication is given as an intravenous infusion, and treatment lasts for seven days.

Side Effects

• Tremors that cannot be controlled.

• Increase in hair growth.

• General fatigue.

• Swelling of gums.

• Generalized feeling of being sick.

• Diarrhea.

• High blood pressure.

• In long-term use, it can cause altered kidney and liver function levels.

Biological Medicines - These medications are used to treat Crohn's disease. They are targeted medications that reduce colon inflammation.

Side Effects

• These medications affect the immune system, making them more susceptible to infections.

JAK Inhibitors -These medications are newer drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis. Their mechanism of action includes blocking the enzymes that trigger inflammation.

Side Effects

• This medication is not indicated in the case of expecting mothers.

• Ozanimod - This medication suppresses the immune system.

  • Side Effects

    • More prone to infections

    • Sore throat in some cases

• Surgery - In severe cases of ulcerative colitis, where the flare-ups are persistent and affect daily life, surgical correction is considered. This involves removing the colon and small intestine to pass waste products out of the body.

  • Side Effects

    • Risk of surgical complications such as hernia, bleeding, and thrombus.

What Are the Tips to Cope With Treatment Side Effects of Ulcerative Colitis?

Managing the side effects of treatment can improve the quality of life and ongoing treatment. Some common tips are

• The side effects such as nausea and vomiting that come due to medication can be taken by taking the medicine along with meals.

• For biological medication, the side effects can be managed by pre-medications such as antiemetics anti antihistamines.

• Keeping the body hydrated, especially during flare-ups, is very helpful.

• Taking small meals at short intervals helps keep the bloating away.

• Avoid foods that can trigger flare-ups, such as dairy and spicy foods that can cause irritable bowel syndrome.

• Taking supplements, such as vitamin D, to prevent ulcerative colitis-related osteoporosis is significant.

• Acne can break out due to the corticosteroid treatment. Consultation from a dermatologist should be considered.

• While the patient is on treatment medication, personal hygiene and staying away from areas where infection is more likely to occur should be avoided.

Conclusion

Ulcerative colitis can be due to autoimmune activities or have a genetic factor involved. Though many people tend to live their everyday lives with it, the conditions worsen during flare-ups, and it is tough to deal with. There are many treatment options for flare-ups, but all the treatments have minor side effects such as irritability, body aches, fatigue, and acne. A significant side effect is reduced immunity, which can make the individual more susceptible to even minor infections while under treatment. These side effects, however, can be easily managed with some assistance from the concerned specialists. Following these tips helps to eliminate the flare-up and the side effects that come with its treatment.