What is Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?
Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic health condition, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It occurs in the large intestine, the colon and the rectum where the lining become inflammed with ulceres. Ulcerative Colitis cannot be cured, however, with proper treatments, it can be managed with periods of no to minimal symptoms, that is what we call remission.
Why does it happen?
Well, scientists still don’t know exactly why it happens, but according to Healthline sometimes, a viral or bacterial infection could trigger atypical immunie response,where the immune system attacks the cells lining the large intestine walls. Also, Genetic factors play a role .
How to know if you have Ulcerative Colitis (UC) ?
Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can be confused with other conditions affecting the GI tract. A definite diagnosis requires medical tests to confirm Ulcerative Colitis, including a stool sample test, blood tests, X-ray, CT scan, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy.
Symptoms:
Ulcertive Colitis symptoms vary from one person to another as individuals may show some symptoms only while others do not. Gnereally speaking, Ulcerative Colitis symptoms may include:
- Abdominal and rectal pain
- Blood and mucus when passing stool
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Feeling fatigued
- Weight loss
- Sudden urge to use the toilet where you have to rush within a few minutes or else…
What is it like to live with Ulcerative Colitis (UC)?
Symptoms and the severity of the condition are not the same for everyone. But I must say that living with Ulcerative Colitis requires a high level of discipline and self control. In my personal experience, when I first got diagnosed, I felt overwhelmed not knowing what to do and what not to do. Living with Ulcerative colitis, I had to change many things about my lifestyle including my eating habits, sleep schedule, and how I handle stress.
According to WebMD, stress is believed to be one of the main triggers of Ulcerative Colitis symptoms. To live normally with this condition, I had to change a lot of things in my life that could possibly stress me out. I had to train myself to take things easy, and slow down, which is something I was never used to. I needed some sort of carelessness to avoid flare ups.
Another challenge is… Well.. Changing my diet. Straight to the point, it is not that easy, especially when people around me are enjoying whatever meal they would like to have while I’m avoiding trigger foods (which is really a long list by the way) trying to find alternatives. Tracking my symptoms and keeping a food dairy helped me know what foods to avoid, how many meals aday I should have and what sort of meals to eat during the day/night, so it is a matter of time before you get used to your condition and know what is best for you.
Additionally, National Library of Medicine mentions that having enough sleep is crucial to regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation and to give the body the energy it needs to repair itself. Speaking from personal expereicne, since I got diagnosed with Ulcertive Coilitis, I stopped overloading my To-Do list with endless tasks to tackle and learnt to priorities my tasks. with Ulcerative Colitis, you will run out of energy quickly and tend to feel tired most of the times, which is expected with chronic conditions. Therefore, it is extremely important to have a decent rest during the night, and to always listen to your body. Make sure you have the naps you need during the day and avoid exhusting activities.
With Ulcerative Colitis, you may get in remission for a long period with minimal to no symptoms at all. However, you still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to:
1- Maintain remission.
2- Reduce the risk of developing other health issues associated with Ulcerative Colitis.
What to do ?
If you suspect Ulcerative Colitis, contact your GP to do the required diagnostic tests as soon as possible. The longer the condition remains without treatment, the more damaged the colon lining is.
If you are already diagnosed, make sure to keep track of your symptoms and watch out for trigger foods. Try to avoid stress and learn to practise some techniques to manage it effectivly. Make sure you get enough sleep as it plays a major role regulating your immune system.
To wrap it up, Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition that can be serious if left untreated. However, with the right treatment plan, it can be managed with minimal symptoms and long periods of remission. Complying with the treatments alongside a healthy lifestyle could help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with Ulcerative Colitis.
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