Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Case: Beyond Clinical Remission to Normalization of Inflammation Levels

Hello. This is HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic, which has been researching and treating ulcerative colitis since 2007. Today, we will look at the proper conclusion process of treatment through the case of a patient in their 40s with ulcerative colitis.

Patient Symptoms and Background

This patient began experiencing mucous stools in July 2023 and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after an endoscopy. Having seen no results with Western medicine, the patient tried a combination of pharmacy herbal medicine and treatment at another clinic, but experienced repeated improvements and relapses before visiting our clinic in May 2025.

At the time of the initial visit, the patient had 2–4 bowel movements per day, bloody stools twice a week, and persistent mucous stools. The patient also suffered from indigestion, cold hands and feet, and rhinitis.

The Difference Between Clinical Remission and Actual Inflammation

It is easy to think that once bloody stools and diarrhea disappear, the condition has improved, but this is only 'clinical remission', where symptoms have merely been improved. Even in a state of clinical remission, there is a high risk of recurrence because intestinal inflammation often remains. Therefore, after reaching the first goal of clinical remission, treatment must continue to achieve the second goal: normalization of inflammation levels.

The Importance of Stool Calprotectin Testing

In cases of ulcerative colitis, blood tests (WBC, CRP, ESR, etc.) often show normal ranges. Therefore, the stool calprotectin test is essential to accurately grasp the level of intestinal inflammation. This test is a highly reliable marker that correlates with endoscopic findings by more than 80%.

Treatment Progress and Results

Symptoms improved quickly in the beginning, and in the latter part of the treatment, we were able to completely resolve the issue by carefully targeting the remaining mucous stools and micro-inflammation. We now plan to conclude the treatment after endoscopic confirmation.

Concluding the Treatment

For ulcerative colitis, it is important not only to improve clinical symptoms but also to bring stool inflammation levels back to completely normal ranges. A thorough conclusion is the key to preventing recurrence.

Clinic Information

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