How to Live Beyond an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) can cause a range of emotions. On one hand, it's a relief to have an explanation for your symptoms and a plan to treat them. However, you may also worry about how this disease will affect your quality of life.
Keep reading to learn how the condition may affect your routine and what simple steps you can take to regain control of your body and your lifestyle.
Understand treatment options
Other than surgery to remove your colon and rectum, there's no cure for UC. But several drugs can reduce the frequency of attacks and bring the disease into remission. Treating UC requires the care of an intestinal tract specialist, or gastroenterologist. There's no one-size-fits-all approach — your treatment plan will depend on whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe.
It's important to take your medication exactly as prescribed to benefit the most from treatment. Depending on the therapy, it can take weeks or even months for symptoms to improve.
Let your healthcare team know if a medication isn't working. Some drugs are more effective than others, and your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or switch your medication. People respond differently to medications, so it's standard procedure to try more than one before you and your healthcare team figure out which is best for treating your UC.
If you don't achieve remission with an anti-inflammatory or an immunosuppressant drug, you may be a candidate for biologics. This therapy — which targets the proteins that cause inflammation in your colon — can treat moderate to severe UC.
If you have severe UC that doesn't respond to biologics, surgery to remove your colon may help. While it's a significant decision, surgery can provide long-term relief when other treatments haven't worked.
Adjust or modify your diet
There's no one diet to treat UC. The foods you eat don't cause the disease, but some may lead to a flare-up or worsen it. However, what affects one person may not affect another, which is why it's important to try to learn your food and drink triggers.
If you can prevent or reduce the severity of a flare-up, you'll enjoy more of your favorite activities. Keeping a food diary can help you identify which foods trigger your symptoms, so you can make personalized adjustments that may reduce flare-ups and help you stay active and engaged in your daily life.
Some people have found that eating a low fiber diet reduces loose stool and frequent bowel activity. Likewise, a lactose-free diet may decrease abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea. Other diet and nutrition strategies to help you feel better and stay in control include:
avoiding greasy or fried foods
eating 5to 6 small meals daily
eating foods rich in probiotics
limiting caffeine, which can act as a laxative
cutting out spicy foods to avoid irritating your intestinal tract
Proper nutrition helps manage this disease, so talk with your doctor about taking multivitamins. A supplement can prevent vitamin deficiencies that result from removing certain foods from your diet.
Be prepared when going out or traveling
Flare-ups can occur unexpectedly, but they don't have to keep you from living your life. With some planning and preparation, you can stay active and enjoy the things you love.
Whether you're headed to the movies, a restaurant, or another public place, it's helpful to know where the restrooms are, just in case. If you're worried about symptoms appearing suddenly, consider carrying a small kit with essentials like an extra pair of underwear and moist wipes. This kind of simple preparation can help you feel more confident and in control.
If you're traveling, ensure you have enough medication to last for the duration of your trip. Forgetting your medication at home and skipping dosages can trigger a flare-up while away. If you'll be away for an extended time, consult your doctor about sending your prescription to a pharmacy in your destination city. Alternatively, get a referral to a local clinic in case you need professional healthcare while traveling.
Join a support group
A family history of UC increases the risk of developing the disease. But sometimes, there isn't a genetic link. If you're the only one in your family or circle of friends trying to manage UC, you may feel alone at times.
Frequent bowel activity and diarrhea can cause feelings of embarrassment, and it's often easier to hide from others and avoid talking about what's going on. But shying away from social interactions can contribute to isolation. And the truth is, talking about your disease may help you feel better. If you share your feelings with people you trust and give them a chance to offer support, you may find it easier to resume activities.
In addition to talking with friends and family, ask your doctor or gastroenterologist about local support groups or counseling. Connecting with others with UC can be helpful — not only for emotional support, but also for sharing practical tips and coping strategies.
Maintain a positive outlook
UC isn't caused by stress or anxiety, but emotional stress can sometimes worsen symptoms. Managing stress through mindful meditation, light exercise, journaling, or puzzling may help you feel calmer and more relaxed, ultimately reducing your stress levels.
Even though living with UC can be challenging, having a support system and strategies for coping when flare-ups arise can make a difference.
Being depressed or anxious can contribute to social isolation and the loss of interest in activities, and these feelings can occur if you're having difficulties managing your UC. If you are finding it difficult to cope with UC, talk with your healthcare team about options. They may recommend trying an antidepressant.
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