About this topic
Ulcerative colitis is sometimes called UC. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. With this illness you have swelling and bleeding of the colon and rectum. It may also cause ulcers or sores in the lining of the colon and rectum. The swelling may cause belly pain, loose stools, and pus and bleeding in the stool. ‚
UC is a life-long condition and doctors do not know what causes it. The treatment works to lower swelling of the colon. It also tries to help with other signs and let the colon heal. Your doctor may order drugs or changes in your lifestyle. If these do not help to lower signs, your doctor may suggest surgery. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your family and friends about your illness. Explain how they can help. Ask them to make healthy meals when you do not feel well enough to cook for yourself.
- Keep a journal or notes of what you eat. Be aware of foods that may increase your signs and avoid them in the future.
- Eat small meals more often. This may help lower stomach pain and cramping.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. You are more likely to need extra fluids if you are having stools more often.
- Learn how to manage stress caused by UC. Join support groups to get to know other people who have coped with UC.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Always take your drugs on time.
- Avoid taking aspirin-containing drugs like Excedrin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Aleve; these may worsen your signs.
- Talk to your doctor or dietitian for a diet plan. This will help you manage the signs.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to have more tests like colonoscopy, CT scan, or MRI to check on your progress or look for colon cancer.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Calm the immune system ¢ ˆ ’ this will help lower swelling of the colon
- Manage loose stools
- Fight an infection
- Help build up your blood supply by taking extra iron
Will physical activity be limited?
Exercise may help improve your overall health. Ask your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- There is no one best diet for people with UC. Talk to your doctor or dietitian for a personal diet plan. This can help manage your signs.
- You should work toward eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
- Your doctor may suggest you eat a low fiber, low residue diet. This means avoiding things like raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
- You may also want to avoid food that causes gas like broccoli, beans, nuts, and bran.
- Eat foods that are low in fiber, like white bread, white rice, and cereals without whole grains.
- Eat foods that are low in fat, like baked fish and lean meat.
What problems could happen?
- Need for surgery to remove part of the bowel
- Problems with the bowel like very bad swelling, cancer, or bleeding
- Infection
- Dehydration
- Problems with joints, eyes, or skin
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is no known way to cure or prevent UC. You can stay away from the foods that trigger the signs of your illness. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Very upset stomach or throwing up
- Throwing up blood
- Very bad belly pain
- Very bad dizziness
- Joint pain or swelling
- Back pain or pain in the sides, with or without blood in the urine
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad belly pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or bloody stools.
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons ‚
http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/ulcerative_colitis/ ‚
Crohns and Colitis Foundation ‚
http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/ucp ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/ ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/87/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚