You were in the hospital because you have ulcerative colitis, swelling of the inner lining of your colon and rectum (also called your large intestine). It damages the lining, causing it to bleed or ooze cloudy mucus or pus.
You probably received fluids through an intravenous (IV) tube in your vein. You may have received a blood transfusion, nutrition through a feeding tube or IV, and drugs to help stop diarrhea. Your doctor may have prescribed drugs to reduce swelling, prevent or fight infection, or help your immune system.
You may have had surgery. If so you, you may have had either ileostomy or colon resection (colectomy).
See also:
Most people will have long breaks between flare-ups of their ulcerative colitis.
When you first go home, your doctor may ask you to drink only liquids or eat different foods from what you normally eat. Ask your doctor when you can start your regular diet.
You should eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. It is important that you get enough calories, protein, and essential nutrients from a variety of food groups.
Certain foods and drinks can make your symptoms worse. These foods may cause problems for you all the time or only during a flare-up. Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse.
Too much fiber may make your symptoms worse. Try baking or stewing fruits and vegetables if eating them raw bothers you.
Avoid foods that are known to cause gas, such as beans, spicy food, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, raw fruit juices, and fruits -- especially citrus fruits. Avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine. They may make your diarrhea worse.
Eat smaller meals, and eat more often. Drink plenty of liquids.
Ask your doctor about extra vitamins and minerals you may need:
Talk with a dietitian, especially if you lose weight or your diet becomes very limited.
You may feel worried about having a bowel accident, embarrassed, or even feel sad or depressed. Other stressful events in your life, such as moving, job loss, or the loss of a loved one, can cause problems with your digestion.
Ask your doctor or nurse about these tips to help you manage your ulcerative colitis:
Your doctor may give you some drugs to help relieve your symptoms. Based on how severe your ulcerative colitis is and how you respond to treatment, your doctor may recommend one or more of these drugs:
There are many types of drugs your doctor may use to prevent or treat attacks of your ulcerative colitis.
Your ongoing care will be based on your unique needs. Your doctor will tell you when to return for an exam of the inside of your rectum and colon through a flexible tube (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).
Call your doctor or nurse if you have:
Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis - discharge; Ulcerative proctitis - discharge; Colitis - discharge
Baumgart DC and Sandborn WJ. Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and established and evolving therapies. Lancet. 2007;369(9573):1641-57.
Clark M, Colombel JF, Feagan BC, Fedorak RN, Hanauer SB, Kamm MA, et al. American gastroenterological association consensus development conference on the use of biologics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, June 21-23, 2006. Gastroenterology. 2007 Jul;133(1):312-39.
Osterman MT, Lichenstein GR. Ulcerative colitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010;chap 112.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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