• Treatment is highly based on symptom reduction. Since this form of arthritis cycles with flare-ups of bowel conditions it is important to see your gastrointestinal doctor on a routine basis. Your Physician can help you keep your condition under control. This will help control your arthritis as well.

• Non-steroidal Anti inflammatory drugs can relieve symptoms of arthritis. Over the counter non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and Naprosyn are available. If these drugs to not help with pain reduction or if they are causing complications with your bowel condition your Physician can order the other medications to help.

• Corticosteroids are helpful when flare-up’s get out of control. Corticosteroids are harmful if you use them on a long-term basis but to use them occasionally for conditions that have gone out of control they are very helpful.

• Changing your level of activity can also be helpful in pain reduction. When you notice a flare up in your bowel disease, expect arthritic problems. During these times protect your joints. Exercise but do it responsibly. Use heat and ice to treat acute flare-ups. Hot baths, electric blanket, a warm water bed and heating pads are all ways of warming the joints to keep them from aching.

• Physical therapy treatments are available to assist with arthritis pain. Doing range of motion exercises at home is also helpful. As long as you do these in moderation and do not wear out the joint or make it ache from the exercise.

• Preventing both your arthritis and your bowel disease from getting out of control is the best treatment. Smoking has been linked to a flare-up with ulcerative colitis. It is unknown why these two appear to be linked.

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