When medication fails – what does that mean?

When medication fails – what does that mean?

In medicine, we speak of “treatment failure” when medication loses its effect or causes severe side effects. In the case of ulcerative colitis, for example, this can mean that cortisone preparations, immunosuppressants or modern antibody therapies no longer help sufficiently to control the inflammation. This increases the risk of complications such as severe bleeding, intestinal perforations or an increased risk of cancer – and surgery becomes more likely.
But not all options have been exhausted.

Toxopheresis – a new approach to blood purification

Toxopheresis is a new therapeutic approach. This is a special form of blood purification. Similar to dialysis, the blood is passed through a filter outside the body. The aim is to remove certain inflammation-promoting messenger substances or harmful components from the blood that are suspected of contributing to the inflammatory process in the intestine. Initial experience shows that some sufferers experience a significant improvement in their symptoms as a result – even when other treatments have already been exhausted.

Holistic perspectives: body, mind and everyday life

Ulcerative colitis doesn’t just affect the bowel – it affects your whole life. Many people feel that stress, diet or emotional stress can trigger or exacerbate flare-ups. It is therefore important to look beyond the boundaries of traditional medicine.

• Diet: There is no “one” diet for ulcerative colitis, but many sufferers report that they avoid certain foods and can thus reduce flare-ups. A food diary can help to identify individual triggers.
• Stress reduction: Chronic stress has been proven to have a negative effect on the gut. Techniques such as meditation, yoga or breathing exercises can help to calm the nervous system and indirectly influence inflammation.
• Complementary therapies: Acupuncture, botanicals or working with a psychosomatic counselor – all of these can provide valuable support in some cases when medication alone is not enough.

Conclusion: every step counts

When medication no longer works and surgery is imminent, it often feels like the end of all possibilities. But it doesn’t have to be that way. New procedures such as toxopheresis and a holistic view of your own health can help you discover new approaches. The important thing is to keep talking to your doctors – and trust your own instincts about what is good for you.