For most people, there is no other way to treat acute colitis than with surgery. Doctors may at first try to cure it with medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. But if the symptoms still persists, or a relapse has happened after a short period of treatment, then surgery is needed. During surgery, the inflamed colon and rectum will be removed. It may sound scary, but for those who choose this path, this is better than suffering from the pain caused by colitis.