Managing Ulcerative Colitis by Eating the Right Diet

The affects of an ulcerative colitis flare-up impact almost every decision a person makes each day, so learning how to manage this disease is crucial for living a “normal” life. One of the major factors involved in maintaining a full and active lifestyle is eating the right type of diet.

Ulcerative Colitis Overview

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the lining of the colon. It causes the inner lining of the colon to be chronically inflamed and swollen with small open sores, known as ulcerations.

Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Bleeding
• Persistent diarrhea.

Researchers believe that ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease because the immune system treats food and other substances in the colon as if they're foreign materials. This causes the body to attack these substances by sending white blood cells to the lining of the colon, resulting in pain, ulcerations and inflammation.

Managing Ulcerative Colitis with Diet

While there are no foods that actually cause ulcerative colitis, certain types of foods can aggravate the symptoms. These foods should be limited or eliminated in order to control the uncomfortable affects of colitis.

Patients must keep in mind that dehydration is a very real risk if they’re experiencing frequent bouts of bleeding or diarrhea. This means they should drink plenty of water each day. Most patients can tolerate unsweetened fruit juice, as well. Caffeinated and sweetened beverages can trigger symptoms, so they should be avoided.

• Limiting Fiber: Beans, legumes, seeds and whole grains are problematic for patients with ulcerative colitis. These fibrous foods need to be limited to avoid unnecessary flare-ups of symptoms.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Colitis patients shouldn’t eat most fruits and vegetables raw. They should be cooked well before serving to avoid triggering symptoms.
• Protein: Lean protein-packed foods like chicken, fish, soy and eggs can be very good for a patient’s diet because they are healthy and less-likely to aggravate symptoms.
• Spices, Sweeteners & Fats: Fried foods, sugar, sorbitol and hot spices should be eliminated from the diet as much as possible because they trigger symptoms.

Seeking Help

Even if patients haven’t been diagnosed with this disease, it’s important to see a doctor if they’re experiencing chronic symptoms of ulcerative colitis Roanoke. Many patients are not affected until their mid-30s or later, so it’s common to be diagnosed later in life.