Prevention

You cannot prevent ulcerative colitis because the cause is unknown. But you can take steps to reduce the severity of the disease.

• Medicines taken regularly may reduce acute attacks and keep the disease in remission.
• Most experts recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief rather than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs have been linked to flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).⁶

Antibiotics may make ulcerative colitis symptoms worse and should only be used when necessary.