Ulcerative colitis treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes. In some cases, a doctor from Maple will be able to offer an ulcerative colitis diagnosis, but only after ruling out all other possible causes for your symptoms.

Before offering treatment options, the doctor will want you to undergo extensive testing. Once all other possible causes have been ruled out, a doctor from Maple will suggest ulcerative colitis treatment options, including possible drug therapy or surgery.

Yes. Our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that occurs when your immune system is malfunctioning.

Instead of helping to protect the body as they normally would, white blood cells begin to attack the lining of your colon, causing inflammation and ulcers.

Common ulcerative colitis symptoms include:

• Diarrhea (often including blood or pus)
• Canker sores in your mouth or on your skin
• Fever
• Rectal pain or bleeding
• Needing to defecate frequently (and sometimes being unable to go)
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Failure to grow (in children)

While it isn't necessarily hereditary, family history of the condition is considered to be one of the most significant ulcerative colitis risk factors.

In other words, while heredity could play a role in developing ulcerative colitis, it isn't always the case.

Ulcerative colitis causes stem from an error in the body's natural immune system.

The body starts to recognize food, good stomach bacteria, and the lining of the colon as attackers trying to harm it.

White blood cells are then sent to attack the “intruders”, but because these aren't actually harming the body, the white blood cells do damage to the healthy systems in those areas instead, particularly to the lining in the colon.

An ulcerative colitis diagnosis will usually only be offered after every other cause has been ruled out.

In order to ensure the diagnosis is accurate, the doctor will recommend extensive testing. These tests include:

• X-ray scans
• Stool samples
• Blood tests
• CT scans
• Colonoscopy
• MR enterography

After all other possible causes are ruled out, a doctor from Maple will discuss ulcerative colitis treatment options with you.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for ulcerative colitis, aside from removing the colon and rectum.

However, many ulcerative colitis treatment options are available. These can help minimize negative symptoms and discomfort.

While both colitis and ulcerative colitis symptoms can be similar and both conditions affect the colon, colitis is typically caused by infections brought on by viruses or bacteria while ulcerative colitis is caused by a malfunction of the immune system.

Ulcerative colitis is more severe. Moreover, unlike colitis, which can be cured, there’s no cure for ulcerative colitis at this time. If someone develops ulcerative colitis, it's a lifelong condition.

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A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
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• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
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• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

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Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

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