Whether you’re a newly diagnosed patient or a loved one of someone with ulcerative colitis, this book offers help. Questions & Answers About Ulcerative Colitis provides authoritative, practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones. This easy-to-read book is a comprehensive guide to treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, employment and insurance issues, and much more. Written by a world-class medical expert on the topic, Questions & Answers About Ulcerative Colitis is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of ulcerative colitis.

The Basics	p. 1
What are the inflammatory bowel diseases? What is ulcerative colitis?
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
How does ulcerative colitis affect my gastrointestinal tract?
What is the difference between irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease?
Risk, Prevention, and Epidemiology	p. 11
What causes ulcerative colitis?
Who gets ulcerative colitis? How many people have ulcerative colitis in the United States?
Does ulcerative colitis run in families? Can I pass ulcerative colitis to my children?
Will my ulcerative colitis last forever or will it go away over time? Is there a cure for ulcerative colitis?
What factors can make ulcerative colitis better or worse?
What is C. difficile and should I be worried?
Diagnosis	p. 19
How is the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis made?
Are there other diseases that can be confused with ulcerative colitis?
How does my clinician know I don't have Crohn's disease?
Conditions Associated with Ulcerative Colitis	p. 29
My joints ache. Is this related to my ulcerative colitis?
What are the cutaneous (skin) manifestations of ulcerative colitis?
What are the eye (ocular) manifestations of ulcerative colitis?
What are the liver manifestations of ulcerative colitis?
Treatment Options	p. 37
What are the different classes of medications used to treat ulcerative colitis?
When are 5-ASAs used and are they safe? Why do I need to use enemas to treat my ulcerative colitis?
When are steroids needed to treat ulcerative colitis? What are the side effects?
What are immunomodulators and what are their side effects?
When should infliximab be used to treat individuals with ulcerative colitis and what are its side effects?
Is it safe for me to get vaccinated?
What can I do to keep my ulcerative colitis in remission? How can I prevent flares?
I am currently feeling well, so why do I have to keep taking my medications?
Should I see an herbalist to treat my ulcerative colitis? Is the use of complementary and alternative medicine safe?
What are probiotics and prebiotics and can they help ulcerative colitis?
What can I eat and how does diet affect my ulcerative colitis? Is it a food allergy?
Should I take supplemental vitamins? If so, which ones?
Complications	p. 61
What is my risk of developing colon cancer? Is there anything I can do to decrease my risk? How is chromoendoscopy used to diagnose colon cancer?
What is toxic megacolon?
Can ulcerative colitis affect my bones?
Can ulcerative colitis affect my kidneys?
Surgery	p. 71
How often is surgery needed in patients with ulcerative colitis and what operations are typically performed?
What are the complications of surgery for ulcerative colitis?
What is pouchitis and how is it treated?
Special Populations (Pregnancy, Children, and Older Adults)	p. 79
Does ulcerative colitis decrease my ability to get pregnant and will pregnancy make my colitis worse? Is there an increased risk of birth defects in children of women who have IBD?
What medications are safe to take during pregnancy?
What medications are safe to take if I want to breast-feed?
My husband has ulcerative colitis and we want to start a family. Is it safe for me to try to get pregnant while he is taking medications?
Can children develop ulcerative colitis?
Can ulcerative colitis develop much later in life?
Coping and Surviving	p. 89
Does stress cause ulcerative colitis? Can stress affect my symptoms?
I am sick and have trouble making it to work every day. How can I work with my employer to help them understand my health situation?
I can't work because I am sick all of the time. Can I get disability? Why can't I buy life insurance?
I have been sick for a long time and am very depressed. Should I see a psychiatrist? Can I take medications to treat my depression?
Future Treatments, Miscellaneous Issues, and Resources	p. 101
Should I get a second opinion?
What are clinical trials, and is it safe to participate in them?
Are there new treatments being developed for ulcerative colitis?
Where can I get more information about ulcerative colitis?
Glossary	p. 109
Index	p. 119
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