How to use Diet to Manage Your Ulcerative Colitis

Your well balanced diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables.

 Many people with Ulcerative Colitis may be wondering if what they eat is contributing to their symptoms. Unfortunately, there is not a clear cut or easy answer to this question. Part of the problem is that there have not been a lot of studies done concerning this topic. However, many health care professionals are finding that when they make dietary recommendations to their patients with Ulcerative Colitis, these individuals are experiencing a reduction in symptoms. It should be stressed however, before you make any changes to your diet, you should always discuss them with your doctor or a nutritionist.

It should be noted that no matter what your health status is, everyone should follow a well balanced diet. This means you should be eating foods which are packed full of the nutrients your body needs. In addition, regular exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight which can reduce symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. You can work with doctor to get clearance for the type and amount of exercise which will benefit you the most. Your well balanced diet should include plenty of the following foods:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean meats and poultry
• Seafood
• Fat free or low-fat dairy-if the individual is not lactose intolerant.
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds

If you are trying to gain weight or keep your weight stable which can be difficult for those with UC, you will need additional calories. This is especially true if you have just had a Colitis flare up. You will need to work closely with your doctor and nutritionist to determine exactly what these needs are.

Some individuals who have this condition may find that eating certain foods can contribute to an increase in diarrhea. To understand the impact ulcerative colitis can have on your bowels and your incontinence health click on the following link: http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/landing/incontinence/. You can learn about treatment options as well and figure out common triggers that doctors believe lead to flare ups with ulcerative colitis.Keep in mind this is not considered a flare up since symptoms can happen even when you are in remission. However, this is a sign you should eliminate that particular food from your diet. You can work in tandem with your doctor and nutritionist to find the foods you should be eating in order to have a well balanced and healthy diet.

If you are having a UC flare up there are things you can do which will help. It is extremely important you pay attention to what you eat since you most likely will be experiencing a loss of appetite. These can include:

• Stay hydrated-Try to drink at least 8 cups of water everyday.
• Focus on eating smaller amounts of food throughout the day. 
• Talk to your doctor and nutritionist about the use of supplements if you are unable to eat the right amount of food.
• Do not go for long periods of time if you are struggling to eat or stay hydrated. Contact your doctor if you are dealing with this for more then a few hours. 

Learn more about these conditions. 

For further information please link to this video. 

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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