Understanding Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. It affects the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Who Gets Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis can start at any age but most often begins between ages 15-30. It currently affects over 900,000 Americans. UC is more common in developed countries and tends to run in families.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Common ulcerative colitis symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Urgency to defecate
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
Symptoms range from mild to severe depending on the extent of inflammation. Periods of intensified activity are known as flares.
Diet Modifications for Ulcerative Colitis
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Studies show that certain diets and foods impact ulcerative colitis symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, plant-based protein, omega-3s and beneficial gut bacteria may prevent and reduce flares.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Keeping a food diary helps identify problem items that worsen diarrhea, pain and gut inflammation. Common personal triggers are dairy, alcohol, carbonated beverages, processed meats, spicy foods and caffeine.
Can Intermittent Fasting Help Ulcerative Colitis?
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It confines eating to set daylight hours or alternate days rather than grazing continuously.
IF patterns like 16:8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours for meals daily) or 5:2 (two 24-hour fasts per week) allow digestive rest while still providing nutrients.
Benefits for Bowel Inflammation
Early research indicates intermittent fasting may benefit those with IBDs like ulcerative colitis. Potential upsides include:
- Giving the colon extended rejuvenation between meals
- Increasing production of anti-inflammatory markers
- Diversifying healthy gut flora
- Reducing immune reactivity to harmless foods
Fasting Effects Differ by Individual
Despite promising evidence, responses vary greatly. Some experience dramatic UC improvement with IF while others find it worsens their condition or triggers more flares.
Effects likely depend on extent of disease, medications used and which fasting protocol best suits ones symptoms and lifestyle.
Lifestyle Adjustments to Improve Ulcerative Colitis
Aside from dietary changes, adopting certain lifestyle habits may also dampen symptoms of ulcerative colitis during flare-ups.
Stress Management Techniques
Learning to manage mental stress better can have significant impact with ulcerative colitis. Stress is a common flare trigger that drives immune activation and gut inflammation.
Yoga, meditation, therapy, music, art and journaling counter harmful stress effects. Counseling also helps develop coping strategies during UC flares.
Increase Moderate Exercise
Regular, mild exercise often relieves ulcerative colitis symptoms once active flares resolve. Walking, swimming, gentle yoga, tai chi and cycling can improve gut function without taxing digestive reserves.
Working slowly up to 30 minutes daily aids healing of inflamed tissues, increases protective mucus, and promotes healthy bowel rhythm and elimination.
Improve Sleep Habits
Getting consistent, high quality sleep allows regeneration of intestinal lining damaged by ulcerative colitis. Turning in and waking at set times, limiting electronics before bed, and yoga stretches that induce relaxation all encourage restorative sleep.
Avoid NSAIDs
Those battling ulcerative colitis flares should not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen without medical consent. These can trigger severe gastrointestinal complications in those with active colon inflammation.
Standard Medical Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis
If lifestyle measures and natural remedies become inadequate for controlling ulcerative colitis and enduring remission, doctors can help with medications and surgery.
Prescription Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Medications commonly used are aminosalicylates to coat the colon, corticosteroids to reduce swelling, immunosuppressants, and biologics that block inflammatory proteins.
Newer drugs are greatly expanding treatment options for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis cases.
Surgery to Remove Colon
For patients failing maximum medical therapy, surgery is a final option. This involves complete colectomy - removing all or part of the diseased colon and often the rectum.
An internal pouch is constructed from remaining intestine to serve as a fecal reservoir. An ostomy bag for waste removal may or may not be needed long-term after healing.
Outlook for People with Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition marked by symptom flares and remission. While not generally fatal when appropriately managed, it does carry health complications if uncontrolled inflammation causes poor nutrient absorption, anemia, bleeding, or higher colon cancer risk.
Following doctors orders plus self-care with diet, stress reduction, rest, and exercise gives the best odds of living well with ulcerative colitis day-to-day.
FAQs
Can intermittent fasting put you into a flare?
For some people with ulcerative colitis, intermittent fasting may actually trigger flares or worsen symptoms instead of helping. Effects seem to vary dramatically by the individual.
What is the best diet for ulcerative colitis?
Studies show an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, plant proteins like nuts and seeds, omega-3 fatty acids from fish and healthy oils, and probiotics may prevent UC flares. Avoiding trigger foods also helps.
Can stress cause ulcerative colitis flares?
Yes, mental and emotional stress is a very common cause of flare ups in ulcerative colitis. Managing stress through counseling, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, journaling and other relaxation techniques is beneficial.
Is alcohol allowed with ulcerative colitis?
Alcohol, especially in excess, often aggravates ulcerative colitis symptoms. However, some people can tolerate moderate, occasional alcohol like one glass of wine. It depends on the individual case and any personal food triggers.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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