What is ulcerative colitis remission?
Not sure what ulcerative colitis (UC) remission really means? Just ask. Some people with UC consider themselves to be "in remission" if their symptoms have decreased to a level they can tolerate or "live with." Others aren't even sure what remission means. Are you?
UC remission is more than the absence of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Remission also requires evidence of healing in the colon lining. In fact, according to the American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines, symptom relief and reduction of inflammation in the colon are both goals of UC treatment. This is important, because if just the symptoms of UC are controlled, but the inflammation in the colon continues on, those symptoms may come back.
Is remission my goal? Yes. Remission should be the goal of any treatment plan for ulcerative colitis. Once you reach remission, your next goal should be to stay there as long as possible. If you're putting up with UC symptoms because you assume "this is as good as it gets," you may be missing an opportunity to do more to improve your condition. This is why it's so important to just ask your doctor how your UC could be better managed to help achieve remission.
What should I know about ulcerative colitis flares and remission?
If you're not sure how you're doing, just ask yourself, "Are my symptoms improving?" or "Have my symptoms completely gone away?" If you have symptoms, then you are experiencing a flare. If your symptoms are completely gone, then you are in remission. You need to tell your doctor this information so he or she can better understand how UC affects you and whether or not to adjust your treatment.
Is there any harm in not telling my doctor about my symptoms? Perhaps you have adapted your lifestyle around "a few symptoms." This can be dangerous. Inflammation that causes ulcerative colitis needs to be controlled before it causes more damage to the lining of the colon. Take action as soon as you experience symptoms and be sure to tell your doctor about every flare.
Want to know if your current treatment is doing all it should? Because remission is defined as both the absence of symptoms and the evidence of healing in the lining of the colon, you should ask your doctor if your treatment is working to do both. Not all ulcerative colitis treatments do both.
Are you sure you're in remission? Take a moment to answer a few questions to determine if you are really in remission. The Just Ask About UC Flare Assessment Tool is quick and easy, and can help give you the greater insight that will help in managing your UC.
