Dealing with the Fear of Public Ulcerative Colitis Flares

I recently attended a seminar provided by Shire Pharmaceutical in Chicago. It was very informative and in fact, if you have ulcerative colitis or are a caregiver of someone who is a sufferer I would highly recommend you attend this seminar.

As a writer I have an insatiable and some people would say annoying curiosity. As a result of this trait, I spent a lot of time talking to attendees of this seminar. I also have a few local friends that have the illness and of course, I have it.

Far and away the most frequent comment I heard was the fear of going out in public and having a flare. In fact, many people have discontinued any kind of social life because they are afraid of the embarrassment that they might have to endure.

As a student, sufferer and writer about ulcerative colitis, I have come to find out that stress plays a major role in flares and also prevents otherwise controllable symptoms.

When we ask the question then, "How often are ulcerative colitis flares going to occur in public?" Dare we say the answer is as often as we create them?

We know that ulcerative colitis is a chronic and progressive illness. However, I know in my case, I am always pretty much aware when my daily symptoms are beginning to act worse. I have come to be able to read the signs. So how do I bring on my own public flares? How do many people bring on public flares?

There are a number of ways. First, we stop doing what works. For example, when I go out if I take a Valium and some Mylanta I always have a better time than when I don't. When I focus and fret about a possible public flare, it becomes a "self-fulfilling prophecy"; I get a flare or, at least start cramping. If I go out and disregard my diet, then I am asking for trouble. When I disregard eating the right things at home I am asking for public problems.

Yes, ulcerative colitis is an unpredictable illness, but as my wife says who has rheumatoid arthritis, no one including her doctor knows the condition of her body better than she does. She has paid attention, getting in touch with physical traits that her body presents.

Occasionally ulcerative colitis will catch us off guard. However, studies show that many ulcerative colitis patients are not consistently compliant with their treatment.

The answer to our question becomes then that most frequently public flares will occur when we don't take our medicine; when we don't mentally prepare to go out; when we let worry affect us or, we eat things we know we shouldn't eat.

There is no reason to stay at home!

Reference:

medicalnewstoday.com
"On the Road Again" Shire Pharmaceutical Chicago, Il April 14, 2008