The goal of UC treatment is remission and an improved quality of life. It’s possible to go years without any UC flare-ups by adhering to your treatment and adjusting a few habits.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

People with UC will experience flare-ups, where the symptoms of the condition become worse, and periods of remission, which are times when the symptoms go away.

When you enter a state of remission, your UC symptoms improve and may also resolve completely. Remission is usually a sign that your treatment plan is working. It’s likely that you’ll use medication to bring you into a state of remission.

Medications for UC treatment and remission may include:

  • 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), such as mesalamine (Canasa, Lialda, Pentasa) and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
  • biologics, such as infliximab (Remicade), golimumab (Simponi), and adalimumab (Humira)
  • corticosteroids
  • immunomodulators

The medications you’re prescribed will depend on:

  • whether your UC symptoms were mild, moderate, or severe
  • whether treatments are needed to induce or to maintain remission
  • how your body has responded, in the past, to UC therapies such as 5-ASA therapy

A doctor will likely ask you to continue taking your medication while you’re in remission. Your symptoms may return if you stop. If you do want to discontinue or adjust your treatment, it’s important that you discuss your options with a doctor beforehand.

Lifestyle changes, such as the following, are also an important part of your continued treatment plan:

Manage your stress levels

Stress and UC often go hand in hand, and some level of stress is unavoidable. However, try to avoid significant or continuous stress when possible.

You may want to engage in relaxation practices and learn to identify your main stressors so you can avoid them.

Stop smoking

Smoking can lead to UC flare-ups. Participating in smoking cessation programs can help you stop using tobacco.

If other people in your household smoke, you may want to plan to quit smoking together. Not only will this eliminate the temptation to have a cigarette, but also you’ll be able to support one another.

When possible, try to find other activities that can replace your smoke use times. Take a 10-minute walk around the block, or try chewing gum or sucking on mints.

Quitting smoking will take work and commitment, but it’s an important step toward staying in UC remission.

Take your medication as prescribed

Some medications may negatively affect your UC medication. This includes some vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

To avoid negative interactions, it’s important to share a complete list of medications and supplements with your prescribing doctor. You should also ask about potential interactions with foods and drinks, which may make your medications less effective.

Get regular checkups

A doctor will likely recommend regular checkups to stay in UC remission and avoid flare-ups.

It’s important to follow this schedule as much as possible. If you suspect a flare-up or if you start experiencing any side effects from your medication, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Exercise regularly

Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes five times per week. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends this level of physical activity for all adults, but it can also help with UC remission.

Exercise can include anything from climbing stairs to walking briskly around the block. If this is new to you, consider asking a healthcare professional about the best ways to start a new routine.

Maintain a healthy diet

Some foods, such as high-fiber ones, may increase the chance of flare-ups or be more difficult to digest.

Consider having a food journal to identify your individual triggers and ask a doctor about foods you should avoid and foods you may want to include in your diet when you have UC.

Keep a diary of flare-ups

If you experience a flare-up, try to write down:

  • what you ate
  • how much medication you took that day
  • other activities that you were involved in

This will help a doctor adjust your medication dosage and adjust your management plan accordingly.

Diet can play a role in UC flare-ups, but a universal diet to help prevent these flare-ups doesn’t exist. Instead, you’ll need to work with your gastroenterologist and possibly a nutritionist to create a diet plan that’ll work for you.

While everyone reacts differently to foods, some foods you may need to avoid or eat in smaller quantities. This includes foods that are:

  • spicy
  • salty
  • fatty
  • greasy
  • made with dairy
  • high in fiber

You may also need to avoid alcohol.

Use a food diary to help you identify your trigger foods. You may also want to eat smaller meals throughout the day to avoid extra discomfort from inflammation.

Speak with your gastroenterologist if you feel any flare-ups returning so you can work on a diet adjustment together.

You can still live a healthy life if you have UC. You can continue to eat delicious foods and stay in remission if you follow a treatment plan and let a doctor know about any changes in your health.

UC isn’t curable, but you can do things to help keep your condition in remission, including the following:

Tips for staying healthy