Does medication treat the disease or symptoms?

Well, since the definition of IBD is inflammation, the 5-ASA's treat the inflammation - which is what causes you to be sick.

The biologics and immunosuppressants affect the immune system which is believed to be the cause of the inflammation.

So, whether you consider this treating the disease or the symptoms depends on how molecular you want to get, I guess.

hmmm, I would say that my colon has remained relatively "healthy" without further damage or progression because of the 5ASA meds. As well, 5ASA meds are thought to have protective qualities against colon cancer.

I also have UC-related liver disease....my thoughts are that by keeping my colon as quiet as possible, the liver disease will remain quiet as such. The liver disease, known as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a fatal disease, once triggered into high gear, life expectancy lessens and the need of liver transplant is necessary. Of course, that's an area I choose not to venture mentally, because I'm not there at this point.

So, if one thinks it's not necessary to treat the inflammation symptoms, think again, because with a body's autoimmune system that responds so destructively, it's best to play nice with it. If the symptoms of the reaction kept quiet keeps the immune response to a minimum, how is that not treating the disease itself.

Treating doesn't mean curing....

quincy

although one with IBS has no inflammation....so, one can have UC, no inflammation, and diarrhea or constipation.

Round and round and round in the circle game....lalalalalaaaaaaaaaaaa....

q

hmm, depends on how the first was created....so, I'd say maybe the egg?

No, maybe the chicken was first with already fertilised eggs?

No, maybe there were two chickens in the garden of grain? each had their vents covered with clover...

OK, going to other threads now....

q

And I know we could go round and round about this for hours...but I think that in our case we are treating the symptoms b/c obviously the meds are not going to cure the disease. The only 'cure' is to have the colon removed. I think that it is wise to keep inflammation to a minimum with meds, diet, whatever the heck works b/c inflammation in the body anywhere is generally not thought of as a good thing.

 Are doctors reluctant to do the surgery? If so why? I had my gulbladder taken out when it caused trouble. THere are many people who have things removed due to disease or injury. Getting a life threatening liver disease sounds scary. Does removing the colon stop the other symptoms that occur outside of the colon as well?

Fecal transplantation and probiotics treat the disease. Turmeric treats the symptoms.