10 Good Ways to Manage Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that is currently incurable. However, with long periods of remission, the illness can be managed.

The vast majority of individuals respond favorably to ulcerative colitis treatments, so there's cause to be positive. Furthermore, according to a 514-person study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in 2014, ulcerative colitis can be successfully controlled when patients take better control of their illness and provide feedback to their care team.

We asked a few ulcerative colitis professionals to provide their most significant ulcerative colitis management tips to help you regain control of your health. 

1. Work with your medical team 

Because ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness, you'll want to assemble a team of healthcare professionals — doctors, nurses, and support personnel — with whom you can work with for a long time. Condition management is difficult if the patient and the healthcare staff aren't on the same page.

It will be simpler to address the personal, and often embarrassing, aspects of ulcerative colitis if you have good support. It's also critical that you know who to contact and when to contact them.

2. If you have symptoms, call your doctor 

Don't try to push through symptoms on your own when they appear. Your doctor might offer advice on how to deal with a flare-up or prescribe testing to rule out any potential consequences. Call your gastroenterologist before you become seriously unwell.

3. Take medication as prescribed 

What causes flare-ups in the first place? According to an examination of health records from 134 patients with inflammatory bowel illness published in the World Gastroenterology Journal in 2014, they may often be traced back to not taking drugs as prescribed. 

The best strategy to treat ulcerative colitis is to reduce and maintain inflammation. As a result, if you let it flare up frequently by not taking your prescriptions or allowing them to run out, the condition will continue to progress.

4. Study up on ulcerative colitis 

You can feel sure that you're doing everything you can to control ulcerative colitis by educating yourself, conducting research, and discussing difficulties with your team. The patients who test me the most are the ones I like caring for the most. They bring in articles and grill me about them.

The importance of ulcerative colitis education cannot be overstated. Learn about medication's causes, remedies, and side effects.

5. Eat with UC in mind 

When it comes to diet and ulcerative colitis, one rule of thumb is that good nutrition is essential. A nutritious diet can aid in the fight against the illness as well as the prevention of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. You could also wish to see if any meals make your symptoms worse. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, symptoms may be lessened if you avoid fizzy drinks, popcorn, and high-fiber foods.

Most people with ulcerative colitis prefer to eat a bland diet and frequent little meals when their symptoms are active, avoiding complicated, spicy, and processed foods; nevertheless, in remission, some people frequently continue to eat small frequent meals but with a larger variety of foods.

6. Know your nutrient profile 

Nutrient shortages can occur if you don't consume enough food to meet your nutritional needs. Check your B12 and vitamin D levels, in particular, with your doctor. Your doctor may offer supplements if blood tests reveal nutritional deficits.

According to a review published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases in 2014, while research on supplements for ulcerative colitis is limited, omega-3 fatty acids may play a beneficial effect. Omega-3s can be found in supplements as well as fatty fish like salmon.

7. Take care of your heart 

Isn't it true that ulcerative colitis has nothing to do with heart health? Wrong. The heart is affected by ulcerative colitis since it is an inflammatory illness. According to a 2014 study published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology, the risk of heart disease complications such as clotting and stroke appears to increase during flares.

According to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes in 2014, people with IBD appear to fare worse after a heart attack than other patients who do not have IBD. Work on a heart-healthy diet and activity routine with your team.

8. Protect your bones 

According to research published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences in 2014, some factors put bone health at risk when you have inflammatory bowel disease: vitamin D insufficiency, long-term corticosteroid use, being a man, or being of Asian heritage. Get your bone density checked, and talk to your doctor about ways to protect your bones, such as taking calcium and vitamin D supplements and quitting smoking.

9. Keep records and compare notes 

Make a list of the treatments you've tried, the doses you received, and how you responded. Keep track of your symptoms as well as any things you believe may be connected, such as nutrition, stress, or exercise. Bring your notes and a list of questions to every session, and don't be shy about asking questions. Your doctor's appointment is an opportunity to discuss any issues that are bothering you, such as financial difficulties, pregnancy plans, and the impact of ulcerative colitis on your life and job.

10. Stick with your colonoscopy schedule 

According to the American Cancer Society, ulcerative colitis places you in a high-risk category for colorectal cancer several years after symptoms first appear. According to the organization, you should get a colonoscopy every one to two years, depending on your doctor's advice. It may be tempting to postpone the screening but resist the urge. It's critical to follow your doctor's instructions.