Ulcerative colitis: What you need to know

Ulcerative colitis is a form of lifelong inflammatory bowel disease-- or IBD. The condition causes chronic inflammation and ulceration in the lining of the digestive tract – usually in the colon. Although the disease is generally not life-threatening, the symptoms can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, the Fox News reported.

Many patients with ulcerative colitis suffer from urgent bowel movements, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, but it can often be controlled with the right treatment.

However, if you are looking for a quick fix before a big event, Dr. David Rubin, a gastroenterologist and the co-director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University of Chicago Medicine, said there are over-the-counter medications you can take.

“I recommend using Imodium, which can be purchased over-the-counter one hour before the event, and not eating for about two hours before the event. This should provide a little more control,” Rubin told FoxNews.com.

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