Ulcerative colitis Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.
Answers to questions about ulcerative colitis
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Can I control my ulcerative colitis by changing my diet?
- What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
- I've heard that having ulcerative colitis increases your risk of developing cancer. Is there anything I can do to reduce this?
- What other conditions can be linked to ulcerative colitis? Will I get these too?
Can I control my ulcerative colitis by changing my diet?
It's possible but there is no evidence to show a link between any single food and ulcerative colitis. However, some people find that certain foods make their symptoms worse. If you have ulcerative colitis, it's best that you eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Explanation
You may find that bulky foods and dairy products make diarrhoea, bloating and cramps worse. Some foods such as certain vegetables, fruits, nuts, spicy foods and alcohol can also make your diarrhoea worse. You may wish to stop eating these to see if it helps. You may also find that you prefer a soft, bland diet, particularly when you are having a flare-up. Don't cut out any food groups from your diet without speaking to your GP first.
Researchers have found that people whose diet is high in red meat and alcohol may be more likely to have flare-ups than people who eat less of these. However, more research is needed on this topic before it is known for sure that there is a link.
If you have a severe form of ulcerative colitis, you may become intolerant of lactose (the sugar that is found in milk) and find eating dairy products upsets your bowel more. Choosing lactose-free alternatives may help your symptoms. Speak to your GP before cutting out dairy products from your diet.
It's important that you're aware that lots of the claims made about special diets and food supplements aren't supported by scientific evidence and could be harmful. Speak to a dietitian for expert advice about your diet. Dietitians usually work in hospitals and there may be one at the department where you're treated. Try to eat a healthy, balanced diet. You may find that you prefer to eat more frequent, smaller meals rather than three larger meals a day.
Further information
- CORE (The Digestive Disorders Foundation)
www.corecharity.org.uk
Sources
- Tilg H, Kaser A. Diet and relapsing ulcerative colitis: take off the meat? Gut 2004; 53(10):1399-1402
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, editors. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004
What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn's disease can affect any part of your digestive system in segments from your mouth to your anus. It involves the full thickness of the bowel wall. Ulcerative colitis affects only the surface lining of your colon and rectum.
Explanation
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases. They can both cause colitis (an inflamed colon) with symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. However, ulcerative colitis affects only the rectum and colon (large bowel), whereas Crohn's disease can affect any part of your digestive system, from mouth to anus.
Treatment with medicines is similar for both conditions, but one important difference is that ulcerative colitis can be very effectively treated with surgery. This is a major operation to remove your colon and rectum. However, if you have a severe form of the condition or medicines don't help you, surgery can greatly improve your symptoms and quality of life.
If you have Crohn's disease, you may eventually need to have surgery to treat the complications of the condition (for example, narrowing of the bowel causing blockages). However, unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease can develop somewhere else in the digestive system even after an affected part of the bowel is removed. It's likely that you will need to have more surgery within five years.
Further information
- CORE (The Digestive Disorders Foundation)
www.corecharity.org.uk
Sources
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, editors. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004
I've heard that having ulcerative colitis increases your risk of developing cancer. Is there anything I can do to reduce this?
If you have ulcerative colitis, you have a slightly increased risk of developing bowel cancer. However, advances in medicines mean that your condition can be effectively monitored which helps to reduce this slightly increased risk.
Explanation
There are a number of factors linked to ulcerative colitis which can increase your risk of developing bowel cancer. These include:
- how much of your bowel is affected
- how long you have had the condition
- someone else in your family having bowel cancer
You will also be more at risk of bowel cancer if you have had lots of relapses of extensive ulcerative colitis for more than 10 years. This risk is lower if you have a more limited form of the condition, for example if it affects only your rectum, or have had few flare-ups.
It's recommended that you have a colonoscopy eight to 10 years after the condition starts, to check that there are no signs of cancer developing in your bowel. A colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look inside your large bowel. The test is done using a narrow, flexible, tube-like telescopic camera called a colonoscope. How often you have checks after this will depend on how severely you're affected.
It's also possible that taking certain medicines regularly may reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.
It's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to keep your bowel healthy. Having inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, can mean you need some extra nutrients - your doctor can advise you about this.
Further information
- National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease
0845 130 2233
www.nacc.org.uk
Sources
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, editors. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004
- Is there a risk of cancer in IBD? National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease. www.nacc.org.uk, accessed 24 September 2008
- Eaden JA, Mayberry JF. Guidelines for screening and surveillance of asymptomatic colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Gut 2002; 51:v10-v12
- Velayos FS, Terdiman JP, Walsh JM. Effects of 5-aminosalicylate use on colorectal cancer and dysplasia risk: a systematic review and metaanalysis of observational studies. Am J Gastroenterol 2005; 100:1345-53
What other conditions can be linked to ulcerative colitis? Will I get these too?
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may be at risk of developing certain other symptoms including rashes, sore eyes, swollen joints and mouth ulcers. However, most of these aren't common and tend to go away when your ulcerative colitis is well controlled.
Explanation
Up to one in six people with ulcerative colitis can get sore, swollen joints during a flare-up. This is usually in the larger joints such as your hips and knees. The medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis usually help to relieve these symptoms. A similar number of people are affected by low back pain during a flare-up. This is caused by inflammation of the joints between your pelvis and spine. Only rarely does this become a serious problem.
You may develop a rash. This may be caused by ulcerative colitis itself, or it may be a side-effect of the medicines you're taking for the condition.
Fewer than one in 10 people get sore eyes and this also improves with treatment of the colitis or with drops. You may also get mouth ulcers during a relapse.
Sources
- Warrell DA, Cox TM, Firth JD, editors. Oxford Textbook of Medicine. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: December 2008
Ulcerative colitis factsheet
Visit the ulcerative colitis health factsheet for more information.
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