By Dr Pranab Gyawali, Consultant Gastroenterologist
I’m Dr. Pranab, a consultant gastroenterologist here in Dubai, and for over 25 years I’ve been helping patients navigate life with ulcerative colitis.
If you’re watching this, you’ve probably just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis — or you’re in the middle of testing and looking for answers.
You’re not alone.
And in this short video, I want to help you understand what’s happening and answer the five questions I hear most often from newly diagnosed patients — right here in my clinic.
1. Is this serious? Can I live a normal life?
The good news is yes — most people with ulcerative colitis live full, active lives.
About 50% of people with UC have mild disease that stays well-controlled with treatment.
Roughly 35–40% have moderate disease, and only a small group — about 15% — develop more severe complications.
The key is early diagnosis, consistent treatment, and regular follow-up.
UC is a chronic condition, but it’s manageable — and for many, it becomes a part of life they control, not something that controls them.
2. Will I need surgery?
This is a very common fear, and the answer for most is no.
Only around 10 to 15 percent of UC patients may need surgery within 10 years — and that’s usually when the disease is left untreated or doesn’t respond to medication.
If we manage it early and well, surgery becomes very unlikely.
In my Dubai clinic, we focus on medical therapy first — surgery is rarely the first option.
3. What treatments actually work?
It depends on how active your disease is.
For mild ulcerative colitis, medications like mesalamine — also called 5-ASAs — work very well. Up to 80% of patients respond to them.
If the disease is more moderate or severe, we may add immunomodulators like azathioprine, or start biologic therapiessuch as infliximab or adalimumab.
The great news is that we now have far more targeted and personalised treatment options than ever before.
4. Did I miss early warning signs?
Many people do.
It’s very common for UC to start subtly — maybe some blood in the stool, or a bit of urgency after meals.
Over 50% of patients ignore these early signs, thinking it’s piles, IBS, or something they ate.
That’s why many are diagnosed months after symptoms actually began.
So if you’ve had gut symptoms for a while — don’t wait. It’s always better to get clarity early.
5. What causes ulcerative colitis?
UC is an autoimmune condition. That means your immune system, for reasons we still don’t fully understand, begins to attack the lining of your colon.
It’s likely due to a combination of genetics, changes in your gut microbiome, and environmental triggers like antibiotics, infections, or diet.
But the most important thing to remember is:
It’s not your fault.
You didn’t cause it — and with the right care, you can absolutely live well with it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re newly diagnosed with UC here in Dubai, my message is this:
You’re not alone.
We have effective treatments, expert care, and better long-term outcomes than ever before.
The earlier we take control of the disease, the more we can reduce complications and improve your quality of life.