Curbing the Symptoms of Severe Diarrhea When You Have Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis sufferers endure many things. From stomach cramping and pain, to not being able to enjoy the foods we love to the higher risks of digestive complications like colon cancer that we face. However, one of the most common and annoying characteristics of ulcerative colitis flare-ups is the severe diarrhea that comes with them. Aside from being annoying and inconvenient with constant and urgent restroom trips, it is also an embarrassing condition to be in. As an ulcerative colitis patient myself, I have found some ways to cope with the severe diarrhea that visits me from time to time.

One of the best ways of dealing with this bothersome symptom that I have come across is the strategic use of a natural product called psyllium seed. Psyllium seed powder can be found in any natural foods store. It is not the tastiest of items, though I found it entirely tolerable (and for the record I am a huge baby when it comes to consuming non-tasty things, even if it is for my health.) I actually used this remedy to control the chronic severe diarrhea I had before I even knew that it was ulcerative colitis that I was suffering from. Every morning, I had a glass of orange juice (any juice will do) with a tablespoon or so of Psyllium seed powder vigorously stirred in. You will want to drink this mixture quickly, as letting it sit for even a few minutes will allow it to set into a sort of gummy textured blob. This effect, however, is exactly why it works to help severe diarrhea. The powder takes liquid and makes it more solid. Though this does not fix the problem in that it does not cure your ulcerative colitis, this simple and inexpensive (also totally natural and safe) therapy does reduce frequency, urgency and regularize the consistency of bowel movements during a flare.

While severe diarrhea is an unavoidable symptom of ulcerative colitis, I found that during my flares eating raw fruits or vegetables aggravated my digestive tract. I understand that this is a common problem for ulcerative colitis sufferers, but another way to cope with your severe diarrhea is to get to know your body and its reactions. For me, it was raw fruits and vegetables, for you it might be dairy or legumes. If you start getting severe diarrhea, think about what you ate recently. Anything different? Pay attention to diet changes and their correlations to your symptoms. Ulcerative colitis isn't the same for everyone, and it isn't always directly related to what you eat according to doctors, but having some idea of the way foods affect you can significantly increase your ability to control your symptoms.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that is not curable. But with remedies that we share with each other, like my psyllium seed solution, and an awareness of our bodies, we can help each other cope with the awkward and uncomfortable symptoms of UC such as severe diarrhea.