Ulcerative colitis affects the large bowel and rectum. This condition causes diarrhea, which may be frequent, sudden and blood tinged. Sometimes, the diarrhea is accompanied by abdominal cramps. These symptoms make living with ulcerative colitis very challenging, especially during a flareup. However, it is possible to do so with proper planning.
Step 1
Keep a symptom journal. In your journal, write down the foods you eat, the exercises you do and any other notable activities that happen that day. When you have a flareup, you can refer to this journal to locate the likely cause of the flareup.
Step 2
Control your diet. Generally, people who suffer from ulcerative colitis can't tolerate foods such as citrus fruits, spicy foods, acidic foods, caffeinated beverages, fibrous foods and some dairy products. Limiting or completely eliminating these foods can help to minimize your risk of having a flareup.
Step 3
Stay hydrated. Hydration enables the systems in the body to function properly, including the digestive tract. Drinking water or clear broths are the best options to stay hydrated. Stay away from fruit juices, vegetable juices and caffeinated beverages because for most sufferers, these are trigger beverages.
Step 4
Find an exercise routine and a relaxation routine that works for you. Stress decreases your pain tolerance, so you can use relaxation and deep breathing techniques to control stress levels. Exercise can help your body function properly, which can minimize the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and the likelihood of a flareup.
Step 5
Take a multivitamin. This is especially important during a flareup, because nutrients may not be absorbed properly due to the frequent diarrhea. In some cases, a prescription multivitamin may be necessary. Check with your doctor to find out what vitamin is right for you.
Step 6
Stock up on supplies for flareups. Moist wipes, diaper rash cream and hemorrhoid cream are supplies that can help you during a flareup. Moist wipes will be gentler when you are suffering from diarrhea. The diaper rash cream can help soothe the rectal area. The hemorrhoid cream will help with the hemorrhoids that may result from straining due to tenesmus (the feeling of an incomplete bowel movement).
Step 7
Prepare a bag to help you when you are out in public. This is especially important if you are in the midst of a flareup. In your bag, pack a change of underclothes, moist wipes or diaper wipes and diaper rash cream. You can use these items to clean up if you don't make it to the bathroom in time.
Step 8
Plan ahead for vacations and outings. Even if you aren't in the middle of a flareup, planning ahead goes a long way. Before you go to a new restaurant or attraction, check with the company to find out if they can mail you a map of the layout of the facility. You can then plan out your trip where you stay close to a restroom the entire time.
