What is the first treatment for ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in the lining of the large bowel. Initial medicine aims to calm that inflammation and reduce symptoms such as diarrhoea, urgency, rectal bleeding, and abdominal discomfort. Treatment may be delivered by mouth, into the rectum, or in both ways so it reaches the inflamed area. The plan is reviewed against symptoms and any examination or test findings.

Book a GP Consultation for ongoing diarrhoea, blood or mucus in stool, urgency, or unexplained weight loss. Keep a record of bowel movements, bleeding, pain, temperature, medicines, and foods that seem to worsen symptoms. Take prescribed treatment consistently and do not change the dose without advice. Ask about a plan for flare-ups, hydration, and follow-up. Long-term monitoring may include bowel assessment when clinically appropriate.

Seek urgent help for heavy or repeated rectal bleeding, severe abdominal pain or swelling, fever with marked illness, dizziness, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, or very little urine. A rapid change in symptoms deserves review because severe bowel inflammation can require hospital treatment.

Ask which part of the bowel is affected, how the medicine should be used, what improvement to expect, what to do during a flare, and whether colorectal cancer screening or another assessment is due.