5 tips on living with ulcerative colitis
Written by:
Gastroenterologist
Published: 05/07/2017
Edited by: Sophie Kennedy
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which causes the colon and rectum to become inflamed. Symptoms include small ulcers, frequent diarrhoea and stomach aches. It is a long-term condition which requires careful management and although specific foods do not cause colitis, they can cause flare ups. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to keep ulcerative colitis and its symptoms under control. We invited highly respected consultant physician and gastroenterologist Dr Carlo Nunes to share his expert insight for patients living with ulcerative colitis.
Eat small meals
Eating smaller meals more frequently helps to control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Five or six meals, rather than the typical three is recommended. This is easier to manage for the digestive system as less strain is placed on it.
Keep a food diary
Certain foods will cause flare ups and each person is affected differently. Keeping a detailed record of what you have eaten will help you to identify the foods you need to avoid and allow you to eliminate them from your diet.
Drink plenty of fluids
Due to frequent diarrhoea it’s easy to become dehydrated when you have ulcerative colitis, a high intake of water is essential to combat this. Alcohol and caffeine can worsen diarrhoea and fizzy drinks can cause flatulence, so it's best to avoid all three.
Eat a low-fibre diet during flare-ups
Temporarily eating a low-fibre diet during a flare up can help to reduce symptoms as they reduce the amount and the frequency of the stools you pass. Recommended foods which form this diet include: white bread, refined breakfast cereals (such as cornflakes), white rice, pasta and noodles, cooked vegetables (without peel, seeds or stalks), lean meat and fish and eggs.
Relieve stress
The brain and digestive system are inextricably linked and there is a constant two-way exchange of information between them. It is therefore of no surprise that stress affects digestion and can exacerbate symptoms of colitis. Successfully managing stress levels plays an important role in reducing the symptoms. Exercise and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga, are just a few beneficial activities that may help you to achieve this.
If you are would like to schedule a consultation with Dr Nunes, you can do so by visiting his Top Doctors profile.