Talking with your doctor about your ulcerative colitis symptoms can help them find the right treatment for you. You can make the most of your appointments by preparing questions ahead of time.

Although ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic condition, the right treatment can help you keep it in remission for extended periods. The goal of treatment is to maintain long-term remission and manage symptoms. This will require an open discussion with a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in treating and managing diseases related to the intestines.

You’ll want to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and any lifestyle changes or available treatment options that could ease your symptoms. To make the most of your appointment and ensure that you’re comfortable with the care you’re receiving, you can prepare a list of discussion points and questions before your appointment.

Use this discussion guide to help make sure you get all the information you need at your next appointment.

You may feel uncomfortable discussing some of your symptoms. However, providing detailed information about what you’re experiencing can help your gastroenterologist give you better treatment.

Your gastroenterologist will need to know the following details about your symptoms:

  • how many soft or loose bowel movements you have per day
  • whether you have blood in your stool and how much
  • whether you’re having any pain and how intense it is
  • how urgent your bowel movements feel
  • whether you’ve experienced urges to have a bowel movement that have woken you up at night, and how many times this has happened
  • whether you’re experiencing any “accidents” and how often
  • how your symptoms are affecting your daily routine
  • what you’re doing to manage your symptoms

In addition to digestive symptoms, severe UC can cause symptoms that affect your skin, eyes, and joints. That’s why it’s important to bring up any other symptoms you’re experiencing, even if they seem unrelated.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation recommends asking your gastroenterologist whether a condition other than UC could be causing your symptoms. You can also ask what tests should be done to determine the cause of those symptoms.

Your symptoms indicate how well your current treatment is working. Being open about how you feel will help your gastroenterologist decide whether it’s time to try a different medication or if surgery is necessary.

Certain lifestyle changes can help you better manage UC. Proper nutrition is an especially important part of managing this condition. There isn’t one specific diet recommended for UC, but you might tolerate certain foods and dietary patterns better than others.

Ask your gastroenterologist whether there are any foods you should generally avoid, as well as which foods you should eat or avoid during a flare-up.

Rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, and frequent bowel movements are all common symptoms in moderate to severe UC. These symptoms can lead to anemia and other nutrient deficiencies. It’s important to find out what you can do to treat or prevent these deficiencies. For example, you might need to add specific foods or supplements to your diet.

Studies have not confirmed that stress is a direct cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, some research suggests that it can contribute to flare-ups of symptoms, and many people who have forms of IBD have reported that stress worsens their symptoms.

Moderate exercise may help you manage stress and benefit your immune system. Some studies suggest that exercising for too long or too intensely may trigger or worsen IBD symptoms, but more research is needed. It’s best to talk with your gastroenterologist about whether increasing your physical activity may be helpful.

If you feel that stress affects your symptoms, you can also talk with your gastroenterologist about ways to reduce or manage stress. They might be able to refer you to a qualified mental health professional if necessary.

Treatment methods and responses vary from person to person. A medication that has worked for you in the past may not have the same result the next time around. You might need other medications to help you manage flare-ups, and routine colonoscopies or other tests may be necessary to monitor your condition and treatment.

Your gastroenterologist’s goal is to find the best treatment for your specific needs.

You can ask your gastroenterologist the following questions:

  • What other treatment options are available?
  • What other medications are safe to use when my symptoms flare?
  • Will I need surgery? If so, what does it entail?
  • How soon can I expect to see an improvement in symptoms?
  • Are there alternative or complementary treatments that might help?
  • How will my condition and treatment be monitored?

Speaking openly with your gastroenterologist about your symptoms is one of the best ways to manage your UC.