Key takeaways

  • Medication, combined with dietary adjustments and supplements, can help control colon inflammation and reduce the frequency of flare-ups in people living with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.
  • Identifying and avoiding personal triggers by using food journaling is essential for preventing symptom recurrence, as common triggers vary by individual and may include stress, certain foods, or missed medications.
  • Physical activity may help manage stress and anxiety that can trigger symptoms, while nutritional supplements can address deficiencies caused by dietary restrictions and frequent diarrhea.

Managing your symptoms through medication and effective home remedies can greatly improve your quality of life and possibly prevent future flare-ups.

Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis can cause a variety of uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms, including:

Medication can reduce inflammation in the colon and allow it to function properly. This can keep symptoms at bay for months. Sometimes a trigger or another unknown factor can cause the inflammation to return.

Avoiding your triggers is the best way to prevent flare-ups. The most common triggers include:

  • stress
  • upsetting situations
  • certain foods
  • skipping medication or incorrect dosing
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • smoking

Finding what triggers a flare-up is crucial to managing your condition. It can be helpful to keep a food journal to record what you eat and how it affects you. Everyone is different, so what triggers a flare-up in someone else won’t necessarily be an issue for you.

It’s important to see your healthcare professional when you have a flare-up or develop new symptoms. Flare-ups can indicate that it’s time for a new medication or surgery. Changes in symptoms can also be the result of a new complication or a different medical issue altogether.

Besides following your healthcare professional’s advice and taking your medication as prescribed, you can also make some changes to your diet to help you manage your symptoms.

You may want to:

  • Avoid foods known to aggravate the gut, such as artificial sweeteners, fatty foods, and lactose.
  • Limit hard-to-digest foods. This includes nuts, seeds, popcorn, and raw fruits and vegetables.
  • Keep fluids to a minimum during meals and drink after you eat.
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
  • Avoid eating and drinking foods like caffeine, alcohol, beans, and prunes. They can increase stool output.

While you may want to limit or avoid certain foods, you still need to make sure that you’re getting enough nutrients. Talk with your healthcare professional or a nutritionist to help you get the nutrition you need while adjusting your diet to manage symptoms.

Supplements can prevent or correct deficiencies that may worsen symptoms and lead to complications. You may be at risk of not getting the right nutrition if you limit your diet because of symptoms, eat less because of a loss of appetite, and have frequent bouts of diarrhea. Taking a daily multivitamin can help you get the nutrition you need while symptoms are present.

There are several supplements that can help you manage the various symptoms of ulcerative colitis. For example:

  • Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes tissue healing. Higher amounts have been found to have a protective effect and may lead to longer remission intervals.
  • Iron deficiency anemia is common in those with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis from rectal bleeding (blood in stool). Taking an oral iron supplement may be essential.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce symptoms and may prevent flare-ups.
  • Folic acid is beneficial if you take sulfasalazine, a medication that has been found to lower levels of folic acid.
  • Vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12 are essential for preventing cell damage, controlling inflammation, and fighting infections. UC can cause a deficiency in these vitamins.
  • Zinc can help the body fight off bacteria and viruses.

Research about the role of exercise in UC is ongoing.

Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common triggers of ulcerative colitis. Physical activity also has a positive impact on overall health.

As with any chronic condition, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before starting an exercise regimen.

Having moderate to severe ulcerative colitis can be unpleasant, but there are steps you can take to reduce its irritation.

Low fiber, easy-to-digest foods are best to eat during a colitis flare-up, including oats, soft fruit, and cooked vegetables.

Yes, most people with ulcerative colitis can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

It is best to avoid high fiber foods with ulcerative colitis, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine.

Managing symptoms of ulcerative colitis includes eating certain foods that aid digestion, taking supplements such as vitamins and folic acid, and avoiding common triggers such as stress.

It’s important to talk with your healthcare professional when you have a flare-up or develop new symptoms.