Ulcerative colitis is a fairly common form of inflammatory bowel disease. While it cannot be cured, medications and natural remedies can be used to treat the condition and provide relief from symptoms. Also, following a few tips can help cope with the condition better. A few effective tips for managing ulcerative colitis are:

• Maintain a food journal : One of the best tips for managing ulcerative colitis and preventing flare-ups is to keep a food journal. This can help patients identify and eliminate the foods and beverages that trigger flare-ups or aggravate the symptoms from their diets.
• Limit fiber intake : Although fiber is essential for bowel health, too much of it can aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms and trigger flare-ups. So, it is recommended that these individuals eat foods that have one gram or less of fiber per serving. Some low-fiber foods that are helpful for managing ulcerative colitis are fish, eggs, foods made with refined carbohydrates like white rice, white bread, and white pasta, cooked fruits without seeds and skin, and fruit juice without pulp. Steaming, baking, or roasting vegetables can also help reduce their fiber content.
• Physical activity:  Even low-intensity exercises like walking and yoga are beneficial for overall health and also help manage ulcerative colitis. Physical activity can help boost mood and relieve stress, which can trigger inflammation in the body. One can incorporate some form of exercise that they enjoy into their daily routine. Apart from that, exercising with a friend is a great way to bring consistency in one’s efforts.
• Reduce stress : Stress is the cause of several health conditions. With our hectic lifestyles, it is difficult to avoid stress, but breathing exercises and recreational workouts like yoga and meditation can help relieve it. Controlling one’s stress levels is necessary for managing ulcerative colitis, as stress can trigger a flare-up.
• Consuming smaller meals : Abdominal pain and diarrhea are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Opting to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large meals could be beneficial for relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. One must eat a healthy, balanced diet to provide the body with the nutrition it needs to function properly.
• Consult a doctor : If one experiences flare-ups even after following certain tips for managing ulcerative colitis, they should consult a doctor. Maybe the current treatment method is not showing the desired effects, and the doctor would need to adjust the dosage or change the medication accordingly.
• Limit the intake of dairy products : People with inflammatory bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis often find it hard to digest dairy products or tend to intolerant to lactose. So, limiting or avoiding the intake of milk and cheese could prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas.

Ulcerative colitis can be easily managed through dietary and lifestyle changes. One of the vital steps to managing this condition is to identify and avoid the factors that can trigger flare-ups or worsen the symptoms.