Are New Ulcerative Colitis Medications Being Researched?
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There is ulcerative colitis treatment research being done in dozens of medical research labs, universities and drug companies every day. According to recent statistics provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, approximately 270 clinical trials on ulcerative colitis have recently been completed or are currently in progress. Advances in ulcerative colitis treatments that are developed from these trials could ease ulcerative colitis pain for about 600,000 sufferers in the U.S., and millions of others around the world.
Ulcerative colitis is not typically fatal. In the United States, there are around three hundred deaths a year because of it. Despite this relatively low mortality rate, ulcerative colitis is still regarded as a serious disease. There are more than 80,000 hospitalizations because of it, and doctors write prescriptions for more than two million ulcerative colitis drugs annually.
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by inflammation in the lining of the intestines. This inflammation cause ulcers which bleed and fester..
Medical researchers have not been able to develop any cures for ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis medicines have been developed that alleviate pain from symptoms. These drugs are also beneficial because they can decrease inflammation, lower the chances of complications, reduce blood and nutritional deficits, and arrest further progression of the illness. In addition, these ulcerative colitis drugs may keep future flare ups from occurring, promote the healing of tissue that has been damaged, and reduce the need for surgery.
In choosing ulcerative colitis medications, your doctor will evaluate the progression of the disorder, the part of the colon that is affected, and any complications that may have developed.
For individuals whose disease is still in the mild or moderate range, a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates are generally appropriate. There are usually two medications that doctors choose first for disorders at this stage. They are called sulfasalazine or mesalamine. Aminosalicylates focus on reducing any current inflammation, promoting remission, and keeping ulcerative colitis from becoming active again. Most of the time, aminosalicylates are all you will need to keep the disorder in remission. Remission is defined as a period of time in which you are free of symptoms.
When aminosalicylates are ineffective, the second option is usually treatment with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are generally used only as long as it takes to bring inflammation under control. As soon as there's no longer inflammation, your doctor will probably resume treatment with aminosalicylates.
When neither aminosalicylates nor corticosteroids bring about remission, your doctor will probably have to try other medications. Typically, such medicine would include immunomodulators, cyclosporine, and infliximab. These medications help reduce or eliminate inflammation by controlling how your immune system responds to your disorder.
It's important for pregnant women to discuss their options for ulcerative colitis medications with their doctor. Doctors will generally allow women who are pregnant to take aminosalicylates and corticosteroids, especially if ulcerative colitis poses more of a threat to the health of the unborn child than the medications. A number of ulcerative colitis medications are on the market which are based on the seriousness of symptoms and the stage of the pregnancy.
Several recent research studies have revealed that the nicotine patch may actually help as a treatment for ulcerative colitis sufferers. Researchers have not been able to determine, however, whether the nicotine patch really inhibits flare ups. It's also unclear how long benefits of using the patch last. Plus, nicotine obviously has other side effects and can be addictive. Because of this, most doctors will only recommend the nicotine patch if all other medications have failed.
As noted above, hundreds or researchers and medical scientists are conducting studies to learn why we get ulcerative colitis, the damage it causes to the colon and intestines, and new treatments that are more effective than what we have now. Hopefully, all their efforts will soon pay off in new ulcerative colitiis treatments that alleviate the pain and suffering of those who have this disease. Perhaps, even finding cures for ulcerative colitis may be possible.
Related topics: ulcerative colitis treatment guidelines and ulcerative colitis new drugs. Neal Kennedy is a former TV and radio journalist. To read more of his articles, click on Colon Health.
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