Ulcerative colitis is a chronic and recurring inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine and rectum. Unlike Crohn's disease, which affects the whole digestive system, the inflammation of ulcerative colitis only affects the inner lining of the large intestine and rectum. This disease is characterized by periods of flare-ups and remission. When the condition flares up, small ulcers and abscesses form in the lining of the intestine, causing pain and digestive upset. High fiber foods can cause symptoms to worsen during a flare-up.
Symptoms
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, and there is no known cure. The disease typically begins in the rectum and spreads upward, affecting the large intestine. Recurrent bouts of the disease causes thickening of the walls of the large intestine and rectum due to scar tissue. The symptoms vary with the severity of the flare-up. The first sign is usually rectal bleeding, followed by diarrhea, abdominal cramping and difficulty passing stool. The more severe flare-ups cause fever, bloody diarrhea, severe rectal pain, nausea, fatigue, joint pain, anemia and unintended weight loss. At its worst, ulcerative colitis ulcers can rupture, causing the risk of dehydration and septic shock.
Risk Factors
Although the cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, there are certain risk factors. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that 20 percent of people with the disease have a family history of it. Other risk factors include ethnicity, being more common among Caucasians and Jewish people of Eastern European descent, and being between the ages of 15 to 35 and 50 to 70. Medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, and isotretinoin, a treatment for severe acne, are also associated with the development of ulcerative colitis.
Foods to Avoid
Although no foods are thought to cause ulcerative colitis, high-fiber foods can exacerbate symptoms during a flare-up. You should eliminate any foods from your diet that seem to aggravate the condition. High-fiber foods that can worsen symptoms include apples, raspberries, pears, oranges, raisins, whole-wheat breads and pasta, brown rice, split peas, lentils, black beans, nuts, peas, corn, raw carrots and tomato sauce. Fried foods and foods that cause gas should also be avoided, including broccoli, cabbage and carbonated beverages. Dairy products such as butter, cream and milk can also aggravate the condition in some. You should avoid drinking coffee and alcoholic beverages, as they stimulate the intestines, which can cause symptoms to worsen.
Other Strategies
Along with medication and eating a low-fiber diet, there are some other strategies you can employ to reduce the severity of symptoms during a flare-up. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating five to six smaller meals during the day instead of three larger meals. You should also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; drink fluids in small amounts but more frequently as not to distress the digestive system. Other strategies include exercising to reduce stress, eating a soft, bland diet and talking to your physician about taking a multivitamin and iron pill daily.
