Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term inflammatory condition of the colon and rectum. The inflammation always begins in the rectum and spreads upwards in one continuous stretch, affecting only the inner lining of the bowel. How far it reaches varies from person to person: some people have inflammation limited to the rectum, while others have it along the whole colon.
The typical symptoms are diarrhoea mixed with blood or mucus, an urgent need to reach the toilet, a feeling of incomplete emptying, cramping low in the abdomen and tiredness. The condition moves in cycles. Periods of active inflammation, called flares, alternate with periods of remission, when the bowel heals and symptoms settle. Treatment has two aims: to bring a flare under control, and then to keep remission going for as long as possible.
Ulcerative colitis is different from Crohn's disease, the other main form of inflammatory bowel disease, which can affect any part of the gut and pass through the full thickness of the bowel wall. Telling the two apart matters, because the treatment choices and follow-up differ.
Who needs it
Assessment is worthwhile for anyone with blood in the stool, diarrhoea lasting more than a few weeks, urgency that wakes you at night, or unexplained tiredness and weight loss alongside bowel changes. It is also for people already diagnosed elsewhere who have moved to Sharjah and need continuing care, and for anyone whose colitis keeps flaring despite treatment.
Ulcerative colitis often starts in young adulthood, though it can appear at any age. A close relative with inflammatory bowel disease raises the likelihood. Symptoms after travel are often put down to a stomach bug, so bleeding or diarrhoea that persists after returning to the UAE deserves a proper check.
What happens
Your first appointment with the gastroenterologist covers your symptoms, how often you open your bowels, any night-time symptoms, recent travel, medicines and family history, followed by an examination. Blood tests look for anaemia and inflammation, and stool tests check for infection and measure a marker of bowel inflammation.
The diagnosis is confirmed by colonoscopy, which shows the pattern and extent of the inflammation. Small tissue samples are taken and sent to the laboratory. Sedation is offered, as described on the sedation for procedures and anaesthesia for endoscopy pages.
Treatment is then matched to how active and how extensive the colitis is. Medicines are chosen by their purpose:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, taken by mouth or given into the rectum as enemas or suppositories, which act directly on the bowel lining
- Short courses of steroid medicines to settle a stronger flare quickly, then reduced step by step
- Medicines that calm the immune system over the longer term, to keep remission and reduce the need for steroids
- Targeted biological or advanced medicines for colitis that stays active, arranged with blood tests and screening beforehand
Surgery is considered when inflammation stays severe despite medicines, or when colonoscopy finds changes of concern. Removing the colon removes the disease itself, and your gastroenterologist arranges referral to a surgical team if this becomes relevant, explaining the reasons with you first.
Preparing for it
Keep a short symptom diary for a week or two before your first visit: how many times you open your bowels each day and night, whether there is blood, and how urgently you need to go. Bring previous colonoscopy reports, tissue results and a list of every medicine you take, including pain relievers and herbal products.
If a colonoscopy is booked, you will be given bowel preparation and written instructions to clear the bowel beforehand. During a flare, your gastroenterologist may adjust these steps so the preparation is gentle on an inflamed bowel.
Afterwards
Long-term care continues after the flare settles. Reviews are closer together while medicines are adjusted and more widely spaced once you are in remission. Blood tests monitor the effects of longer-term medicines, and your iron and vitamin levels are checked.
A specific point many patients are surprised by: after about eight years of colitis affecting more than the rectum, the risk of bowel cancer gradually rises, so regular surveillance colonoscopy becomes part of your care. The gastroenterologist sets how often you need it based on the extent of your colitis and your history. This is separate from routine bowel cancer screening.
Nutrition advice comes from your gastroenterologist, with a specialist dietetic plan arranged by referral if weight loss or a restricted diet is a concern. If you plan to fast during Ramadan, discuss it well in advance so medicine timings can be adapted, and plan ahead before travel so you carry enough medicine and a summary letter.
Contact the hospital if your bowel pattern changes, blood returns, or you feel a flare starting. Go to the emergency department straight away if you are passing many bloody stools a day together with fever, a fast heart rate or feeling faint, as this can be a severe flare.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover ulcerative colitis consultations, blood tests and ongoing medicines. Colonoscopy and advanced medicines usually need pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777 before booking.
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Frequently asked questions
Can ulcerative colitis be cured?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition that is usually managed rather than cured with medicines, and many people spend long periods in remission with few or no symptoms. Surgery to remove the colon removes the disease, but it is reserved for people whose colitis stays severe or who develop changes of concern.
What are the risks of ulcerative colitis treatment?
The main risks are side effects from medicines, which vary by type and can include a higher chance of infection with immune-calming medicines and mood, sleep and blood sugar changes with steroids. This is why blood tests and reviews are part of treatment, and why you should not stop a medicine without advice. Colonoscopy carries small risks of bleeding or bowel injury, which your gastroenterologist explains before the test.
What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease?
Ulcerative colitis affects only the inner lining of the large bowel, in one continuous stretch starting at the rectum, while Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gut in patches and through the full bowel wall. Colonoscopy and tissue samples usually tell them apart.
Why do I need regular colonoscopies with ulcerative colitis?
Long-standing colitis that affects more than the rectum gradually raises the risk of bowel cancer, so surveillance colonoscopy looks for early changes while they can still be treated. Your gastroenterologist sets the timing based on the extent and duration of your colitis.
Can I fast during Ramadan with ulcerative colitis?
Many people in stable remission can fast with adjusted medicine timings, while fasting during an active flare is usually not advised because of the risk of dehydration. Discuss your plans with your gastroenterologist well before Ramadan so a safe plan can be agreed.
Does diet cause ulcerative colitis?
Diet does not cause ulcerative colitis, but some foods can worsen symptoms during a flare, and these differ from person to person. Your gastroenterologist gives nutrition advice, and a specialist dietetic plan can be arranged by referral if needed.
When is a colitis flare an emergency?
A flare is an emergency if you are passing many bloody stools a day together with fever, a fast heart rate, severe abdominal pain or feeling faint. Go to the emergency department straight away rather than waiting for a clinic appointment.
Is ulcerative colitis treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover consultations, blood tests and ongoing medicines for ulcerative colitis, although colonoscopy and advanced medicines usually need pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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