Ulcerative colitis is a disorder of the digestive tract that targets the rectum and the large intestines. It is very difficult to accept that you have such a disorder because this could really affect your way of life. Ulcerative colitis is manifested through blood-tinged, very sudden, and very frequent diarrhea, which is often accompanied by cramping of the abdomen.
It is never a walk in the park when you have ulcerative colitis. Having such a condition needs careful planning when it comes to meals and gatherings that you are invited to. If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, you really have to remember that a stable support group comprised of your family, friends, and co-workers is really helpful especially when flare-ups occur. It is very embarrassing when you have to go in places like the office, the theater, the beach, the mall, or even the party venue that you have been exclusively invited to.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that is categorized under IBD or irritable bowel disease. It is very uncomfortable to realize that you have to be very careful of what you eat, what you do, and even where you go when you have ulcerative colitis. Most of the time, people judge you for having flare ups or episodes that happen in the most unlikely of places. It happens even if you have already been prepared enough already. How do you really get to manage ulcerative colitis? How do you live with it? Here are some valuable tips on living with ulcerative colitis that you should keep handy under your hat:
1. Keep a diary
Keeping a symptom diary is one way of living with ulcerative colitis. In your diary, you should write down all the food that you eat, activities that you do, and events that you engage in. Keeping such a diary may be a little awkward for you because of the kind of information that you will be entering in its pages. But you should remember that this will be for your own good. The purpose of this journal is for you to have a log of everything that may cause sudden flare ups of your condition.
2. Diet control
It is wise to avoid acidic foods, caffeine, dairy, and highly fibrous foods when you are living with ulcerative colitis. If you really want to avoid flare ups or episodes, you should teach yourself to eat just right.
3. Hydration
Water is the best means to hydrate yourself with. Other beverages do not do good for your condition and could only trigger a flare up.
4. Exercise
In living with ulcerative colitis, you should find activities or exercises that relax you . Relieving the stress from your system could ease away the pains associated with your condition. Having these relaxation exercises on a regular basis could really make your body function much better.
5. Vitamins
Because of the diarrhea that you have, most of the nutrients that you take in with your food are not absorbed efficiently. You should ask your doctor for multivitamin prescription that will help you get the necessary vitamins and minerals that you need for everyday living.
6. Supplies
In living with ulcerative colitis, you should know how to gather up your personal supplies and keep them close at hand. You could have your emergency bags in your car, in your travel bag, and even in your hotel room. For some people, this would be a little too much but as a person with ulcerative colitis, it is never too much to be careful and be prepared, especially when you have already been there before. This would prepare you very well just in case you have an episode, wherever and whenever it happens.
7. Plan
It is never wrong to be careful of the places and the menus that you are going to have in the gatherings that you are going to attend. For those who do not know you, they may see you as a very picky or fussy eater. You have the prerogative to ask the menu beforehand so that you will know if you have the privilege to choose another set exclusively for you as a guest. If the food is not going to be friendly to you, then you could just eat in advance before you actually attend.
Living with ulcerative colitis is not easy. It takes every ounce of patience and understanding that you have to deal with this condition every day of your life. Make sure that you are always in constant communication with your support group and your doctor so that you can be sure that you are on the right track.