Getting diagnosed with ulcerative colitis is not only bothersome but affects your lifestyle and diet. It is a chronic condition that happens when you develop inflammation in your colon. You need to make necessary changes to prevent flare-ups where its symptoms get worse. While there is no cure for UC, certain lifestyle changes can help you manage its symptoms well. In this article, you will learn about gastroenterologist-recommended lifestyle changes and coping strategies to manage colitis. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

Colitis management and coping strategies

Dealing with colitis can be difficult, but not impossible. Here are some coping strategies that you can use to manage ulcerative colitis:

1. Avoid NSAIDS:

NSAIDs are over-the-counter medications that are used to reduce pain and inflammation. However, long-term use of NSAIDs is associated with a substantial risk of colitis flares. That’s why someone who lives with ulcerative colitis should avoid these medications.

2. Keep a food journal:

Keeping a food journal allows you to select food that can be helpful. This way you can find which foods your body can tolerate, and which foods worsen your symptoms. Keeping a record lets you know what and when you should eat and eliminate foods from your diet to improve your symptoms. Journaling about your food also allows you to notice patterns with foods that are affecting you and need to be avoided. However, don’t erase an entire food group like dairy products from your diet without consulting with your care team because this way you won’t be able to get certain vitamins and minerals. If you want to try new food, it’s best to eat only 1 type a day to identify foods that cause problems.

3. Be careful of what you eat or drink:

Many people with ulcerative colitis need to follow a proper healthy and balanced diet. This way they get all the nutrients they need and avoid dehydration. However, there’s no specific diet for UC, but certain changes in their diet may help to manage symptoms during a flare-up. It includes:

• In case you have active intestinal inflammation, then you should avoid high-fiber foods like brown rice, almonds, beans, and lentils. Instead, try foods that contain no more than 2 grams of fiber per serving like white rice and pasta, fish, eggs, and cooked vegetables.
• Eat smaller meals more frequently rather than 3 large meals.
• Avoid or limit your caffeine, juices, soda, and alcohol consumption.
• Limit your dairy food intake if you’re lactose intolerant.
• Avoid processed, fatty, and fried foods.
• Consider taking nutritional supplements if your healthcare provider recommends it.

Make sure before making any changes to your diet you consult with your care team.

4. Stay physically active:

When you stay physically active every day, it improves your mood, reduces stress, improves bone health, maintains a healthy weight, and increases overall well-being. These benefits also improve your outcomes with UC. Make sure you listen to your body when you exercise because dehydration is common during workouts which can trigger UC symptoms. So, make sure you consult with your provider if you have any questions about an exercise program that is good for your health and improves UC symptoms. Along with exercise, getting a good quality of sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours each night can improve your overall health and may improve the management of your symptoms.

5. Take medications as prescribed:

While there are many effective medications for UC available, they work well only if you stay consistent with them. Make sure you take every medicine dose as prescribed without skipping or missing a dose, even when you feel good in remission. Symptoms will eventually return if you don’t take your medications as prescribed.

What to avoid during a flare-up?

During a UC flare-up, you should avoid foods that worsen your symptoms, including:

6. Insoluble fiber:

This type of fiber may not be tolerable for people with UC because it accelerates bowel motions and irritates the colon further as it travels through the gut. Here are some examples of foods rich in insoluble fiber:

• Whole bread
• Rice or pasta
• High fiber cereals
• Sweetcorn, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, or skins of certain fruits and vegetables like jacked potato skins, peppers, tomatoes, cherries, grapes, and dried fruit.
• Nuts, seeds, and popcorn.

7. Dairy foods:

Some people are not able to handle lactose well which is found in dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurts, especially during a flare-up. If you decide to avoid lactose, then make sure you choose a different source of calcium in your diet to maintain bone health. Here are some examples of lactose-free alternatives rich in calcium, including:

• Lactose-free milk and milk products.
• Soya, rice, or Oat milk fortified with calcium.
• Hard cheese rather than soft cheese for better toleration.

8. Spicy foods and fatty foods:

These foods may worsen the colon during a flare-up and may cause loose stools. To maintain a healthy balanced diet, you should reintroduce any excluded foods as tolerated, once the flare-up is over.

When do you need to go to the doctor?

You should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Heavy, persistent diarrhea.
• Blood coming from the anus with clots of blood in your stool.
• Constant pain
• A high fever

Living with ulcerative colitis might be difficult, however, with the above-mentioned lifestyle changes you can manage colitis symptoms better and improve your overall health. If your symptoms don’t get better with lifestyle changes and you’re experiencing symptoms like heavy, persistent diarrhea, blood from the anus, constant pain, and a high fever, then you should seek medical help.

Need help with colitis management, visit our gastroenterology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now and find the relief your digestive system needs!!!

You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Gastroenterology Center’s best gastro doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690.