Are You Taking The Two Medications For Colitis Symptoms?

When diagnosed with colitis, the sufferer must quickly come to terms with the fact

that they will have to take prescribed medication for the rest of their life. Thankfully, the daily amount to take is low and the method easy, yet there are those who for some reason don't take the recommended dosage and are then putting themselves at a greater risk of colitis symptoms appearing.

The principle type of medication is an anti-inflammatory which targets the ulcerated area of the large colon in order to try and prevent inflammation from occurring. It has to be taken everyday, maybe up to three times per day which shall be dependant on the extent of the sufferer's condition. Such medication has as its active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). Through continous development and refinement over many years the mostly successful elimination of side effects such as headaches, nausea and sickness. Unfortunately there are a small number of patients that do encounter problems when taking such medication.

One of the most readily used medications is Mesalamine which is effective in large doses for the treatment of periods of active symptoms, and in lower doses for maintaining remission. There is of course no guarantee that by taking the recommended dosage whilst in remission will protect the person from being subject to a period of flare up of symptoms. Its role is to maintain reduced inflammation and in the vast majority of colitis patients it plays a very significant role in maintaining periods of good health.

When a relapse in health does occur and colitis symptoms appear, steroids are introduced which is powerful medication that reduces the inflammation of the colon and suppresses the body's immune system. They are administered as both tablet and enema which has the advantage of the steroid, in foam form, being able to get to the inflammation in the colon directly rather than being swallowed and having an effect on other areas of the body. It should be realised that steroids are not beneficial as a maintenance therapy for colitis and it is important for such medication to be reduced then stopped once the colitis symptoms have disappeared.

The most common steriods are Prednisolone and prednisone and though they are successfully used they do carry potential side effects with their use. These can include "mooning" of the face, acne, disturbance with sleep patterns, tremors, night sweats, and sometimes weight gain which seems strange when during a colitis attack, weight loss can be a problem. It is a known factor that patients prescribed steriods can be subject to mood swings and irrational behaviour. If steroids are used long term then problems such as an increase in blood pressure and osteoporosis can occur. In reality, most colitis sufferers will only be required to take them for a short period of time in order for the symptoms to be brought under control then subside.

It is very important for all those diagnosed with colitis to be aware of the medications that are available and which should be prescribed in order to keep the disease in remission for most of the time and what action to take when an inevitable relapse will occur. Those with colitis symptoms have a lot to contend with but failure to be aware of and take the available medication will result in difficulties that could be avoided.

by: Michael Tasker

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