How to Live With Colonitis

Colonitis, more commonly referred to as ulcerative colitis, is a chronic disease that causes open sores on the inner lining of the large intestine. The sores bleed and ooze mucus and pus, leading to diarrhea and moderate to severe abdominal cramping. You may notice blood in your stools, have less of an appetite, lose weight, or feel fatigued. With unpredictable diarrhea, it's difficult to continue regular activities of daily living, particularly those that take place around other people. However, you can make decisions that minimize the impact this disease has on your life. (See Reference 1)

Instructions

• 1

  Take the medications your physician has prescribed to reduce bowel inflammation. There are five major classes of drugs for colonitis, and your doctor may recommend different combinations depending on your body's response. If one drug doesn't work or has unacceptable side effects, don't hesitate to ask about other options.

• 2

  Eat a healthy diet with selections from all food groups. If your diarrhea and bleeding are significant, your body is losing vital nutrients and can't heal the ulcers in your bowel. Continued weight loss makes you feel sicker, and impacts your quality of life.

• 3

  Avoid raw vegetables, high-fiber, and spicy foods when your symptoms are severe. A bland diet of soft foods can minimize abdominal cramping and diarrhea. If certain foods seem to make your colonitis worse, it's a good idea to avoid them for the time being.

• 4

  Establish effective coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of your colonitis. Contrary to popular belief, stress and anxiety don't cause colonitis. However, the unpredictable nature of the disease is stressful and you need to find ways to manage that stress.

• 5

  Develop a support network. There are support groups for ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases in many areas. You might also benefit from talking with a knowledgeable therapist at a center for bowel disorders who can help you develop a healthy outlook about your disease.

• 6

  Educate your family, close friends, and work colleagues about colonitis. You deserve understanding and support if you're in pain, or when you need to run to the bathroom frequently. If people understand the impact of your illness, they'll be much more supportive at those times.

• 7

  Step back and take a look at your lifestyle. When your symptoms are particularly severe, you may have trouble balancing home, work, and family responsibilities. See if you can find a job with some flexibility in hours, and ask family members to fill in for you when necessary.