Being diagnosed with this chronic digestive condition can feel overwhelming. But educating yourself about the disease and ways to manage it can help you take charge of your health.
An ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis may feel overwhelming. It raises many questions. You may find yourself asking questions such as:
- What is UC?
- How will it affect my life?
- Will I always have to deal with it?
It’s usual to have a lot of questions and concerns when you get the news.
Once your doctor has made a diagnosis, it’s time for you to learn as much as you can about the condition. By doing so, you can work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that allows you to live a healthy life.
UC is one of the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation and ulcers, or small sores, in the intestine.
Severe cases of UC may cause:
- perforated colon, or a hole in the colon
- toxic megacolon, or a rapidly swelling colon
For some people, UC will only pose a minor discomfort occasionally. But for others, it can be weakening and even life threatening. UC can also
Although both UC and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affect the gastrointestinal tract, they are not the same condition.
Below are brief descriptions of the types of UC.
Ulcerative proctitis
If you have ulcerative proctitis, then inflammation is confined to a small portion of the colon closest to the rectum. Rectal pain and bleeding are common symptoms. Learn more about proctitis.
Proctosigmoiditis
In proctosigmoiditis, inflammation involves the rectum and the sigmoid colon, the lower end of the colon. Common symptoms include:
- bloody diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- tenesmus, or the urgent feeling that you need to pass stool followed by involuntarily straining with minimal results
Left-sided colitis
In left-sided colitis, inflammation occurs in the upper left portion of the abdomen, including the rectum, sigmoid, and descending colon. Common symptoms include:
- bloody diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- weight loss
Pancolitis
Pancolitis occurs when inflammation has spread beyond the left colon and may affect the entire colon. Common symptoms include:
- bloody diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- fatigue
- significant weight loss
Fulminant colitis
Fulminant colitis is a severe, life threatening form of UC. People with fulminant colitis experience a rapid onset of symptoms with severe pain, persistent bloody diarrhea, fever, and dehydration.
Treatment requires immediate hospitalization.
The symptoms you experience when UC is active will vary based on which part of your colon is affected. However, most people with UC will experience:
- bloody diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- weight loss
- fatigue
A flare-up, or flare, is when UC is active. When a flare-up occurs, treatment can help ease your symptoms and return your body to a state of remission. Remission is a period when the disease is inactive.
During remission, you won’t experience symptoms of UC. However, you’ll likely need to continue regular medications to reduce the likelihood of flare-ups. You may go several days, months, or even years between flare-ups.
UC may progress and begin to affect more portions of your colon over time. If UC affects large portions of your colon, you may experience flare-ups more frequently than someone with a milder form of the condition.
UC causes chronic (long-term) inflammation in the large intestine (the colon). Symptoms typically develop over time, gradually becoming more severe.
UC inflames the innermost lining of the large intestine and rectum. The disease can affect one small portion of your colon or large sections.
The areas of your colon affected by your UC determine which symptoms you’ll experience.
Treatment should help you find relief from symptoms and eventually end a flare-up. Many people benefit from a combination of treatment types.
Prescription medication is the most common form of treatment, and it’s often the first form of treatment your doctor will prescribe. Several kinds of medicines are prescribed, such as:
- biologics
- JAK inhibitors
- sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators
- corticosteroids
- aminosalicylates
- immunomodulators
Each kind has its own benefits and potential side effects. Some of these side effects can be serious.
More advanced cases of UC may require more invasive treatments, including surgery.
It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another. Talk with your doctor to find the best treatment for you.
Several lifestyle modifications may also help managing UC, such as:
- keeping a food diary to help pinpoint potential food triggers
- adopting a diet that’s less likely to aggravate symptoms
- eating smaller meals
- drinking plenty of fluids each day
- exercising daily
- reducing stress and anxiety through meditation, yoga, or acupuncture
You can use these lifestyle strategies in conjunction with traditional medical treatment. Talk with your UC care team about including these approaches into your overall treatment and management plan.
Not every primary care doctor will have the experience necessary to treat UC. They may refer you to a gastroenterologist specializing in treating conditions that affect the digestive tract. Their experience and practice treating UC will benefit you as you work together to find the best treatment regimen.
Your UC care team may also include a variety of other specialists to round out your care, such as:
- radiologists, who conduct imaging to monitor your UC
- nurse practitioners who help coordinate UC care
- surgeons, who perform procedures as per your need for UC treatment
- dietitians, who help create an individualized eating plan to help manage UC
- mental health professionals, who can help you navigate all that comes with your diagnosis
Currently, there is no nonsurgical cure for UC, but certain treatments can help dramatically reduce the symptoms of the disease. It’s also possible that treatment can help put your condition into remission. From there, maintenance treatments can help you remain in remission.
Some people with UC will need surgery to remove their colon and rectum. Once the colon and rectum are removed, UC is considered resolved.
When you receive a diagnosis with UC, it’s important to find a gastroenterologist you’re comfortable with. They’ll help develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Once you have your treatment plan in place, it’s important to follow it exactly as prescribed. This can help reduce the likelihood of a flare-up and relieve UC symptoms. It may even help you get into and maintain remission.
Your UC care team may also recommend making lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms. That may include adjustments to your eating habits, activity levels, and sleep routine.
It’s also important to follow up regularly with your care team, even when you’re feeling good. You may need to undergo regular screenings and tests to monitor underlying disease activity in the body and optimize your care.
Chronic diseases such as UC have the ability to take up large portions of your day-to-day life. Even mild symptoms can be uncomfortable.
However, help is available. Be honest with your doctor about how you’re feeling. Making adjustments to your treatment plan can help you find relief.
UC can also feel isolating, so it’s important to reach out for support. Start by opening up to family, friends, and other trusted loved ones to help them understand what you’re going through and how they can help.
Connecting with others who have UC and understand what you’re going through can also help you feel less alone. Many communities have support groups for people with UC. Your doctor or hospital’s education office can help you find the support you need.
Remember: UC doesn’t have to hold you back. As you learn to manage your condition, you’ll start to build confidence toward going about your day-to-day life.