C) Lifestyle and diet:
There is no specific diet plan that can affect ulcerative colitis. The research didn’t find certain foods causing ulcerative colitis. But, some foods may worsen your symptoms or increase the incidence of flare-ups. Some dietary changes may help in the control of the symptoms during a flare-up and may prolong the remission between the flares.
Some beneficial dietary changes:
- Eat small frequent meals instead of two or three large meals.
- Drink a lot of water: In ulcerative colitis, dehydration may occur due to fluid loss on diarrhea; thus, drinking plenty of water is useful to compensate for this fluid loss and avoid dehydration.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, and spicy food because these drinks and foods may worsen your symptoms, especially diarrhea.
- Limit the high-fiber foods, especially during the flare-ups. If you want fruits and vegetables, you should bake them and don’t eat them fresh.
- Talk with your doctor about if you need food supplements, such as vitamin-C. You may not take adequate vitamins and minerals in your diet; thus, you may need supplementary foods.
- Avoid dairy diet because it may worsen diarrhea and abdominal pain. Your body may be unable to digest lactose (lactose intolerance); thus, it is useful to limit the dairy diet and consume a lactose-free diet.
- Avoid high-fat diet. Some studies suggested that the low-fat diet decreases the frequency of flares. Also, it is useful to take a healthy fat, such as omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil.
- Eat a high-caloric and low-salt diet.
- Consult a dietitian about your dieter changes and talk to him if you felt weight loss.
A food diary is a useful and smart way to track your diet and see what affects you and how you feel after certain foods. Record the foods and identify what may cause diarrhea or abdominal discomfort to eliminate them. Discuss the foods that you eliminated with your doctor to compensate for any nutrient loss.
Stress doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis, but it may worsen the symptoms and increase the incidence of flares. Stress management helps to improve the condition and reduces the incidence of flares.
Stress management techniques include methods, such as:
-
- Exercise relieves stress and improves mood. Discuss a suitable exercise program with your doctor.
- Relaxation and breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation
- Don’t give in to isolation, depression, or anxiety due to your condition. Discuss your mental status with your doctor and communicate with your society.
