What to Expect When Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the large intestine. It's an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the digestive tract. While there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Knowing what to expect when you’re diagnosed with ulcerative colitis can help you better understand your condition and how to manage it.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
When you’re diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, your doctor will discuss with you the symptoms associated with this condition. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fatigue, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. Other complications associated with ulcerative colitis can include joint pain or inflammation, anemia due to iron deficiency (from chronic blood loss), skin lesions or rashes and eye inflammation or irritation.

Diagnosis & Treatment Options
Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history before confirming a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis through laboratory tests such as blood work or stool sample analysis. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options will depend on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Treatment options may include medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation in the intestines; antibiotics to treat infections; biologic therapies that target specific proteins in the body; dietary changes such as reducing fiber intake; lifestyle changes such as stress management techniques; and surgery if other treatments do not provide relief from symptoms.

Managing Symptoms & Quality of Life
Living with ulcerative colitis can be challenging but there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and maintain quality of life:

• Take medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor – this includes taking all medications even if you don't feel any immediate improvement in symptoms

• Follow a healthy diet – avoid foods that trigger flare-ups like high-fiber foods; focus on eating nutrient-rich foods like lean proteins, fruits & vegetables

• Exercise regularly – regular exercise helps reduce stress levels which can make flare-ups worse

• Reduce stress levels – practice relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation which have been shown to help reduce stress levels

• Stay informed – read up on latest research related to IBD so that you're informed about new treatments or therapies available

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Tags:

Ulcerative colitis, IBD, autoimmune disorder, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, joint pain/inflammation, anemia/iron deficiency blood loss, skin lesions/rashes eye inflammation/irritation. Laboratory tests (blood work/stool sample analysis), medications (anti-inflammatory drugs/immunosuppressants), antibiotics (treat infections), biologic therapies (target specific proteins), dietary changes (reduce fiber intake), lifestyle changes (stress management techniques), surgery. Medication adherence; healthy diet; exercise; relaxation techniques; informed about new treatments.,

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