I am 27, female. How do I manage worsening colitis symptoms?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your symptoms are suggestive of a flare (active phase) of ulcerative colitis. It is a condition characterized by inflammation of the colon lining caused by the immune system.

If the inflammation becomes more active, patients may experience increased abdominal pain, increased stool frequency, urgency, and blood or mucus in the stool. Weakness and fatigue are also very common, as the body is affected by inflammation and possibly bleeding.

When a flare begins, the first step is to contact your gastroenterologist so that treatment can be adjusted.

Doctors may increase anti-inflammatory medications such as Mesalamine, add rectal therapy, or sometimes prescribe short courses of steroids like Prednisolone to control inflammation. Early treatment often helps prevent the flare from becoming severe.

In the case of mild flare-ups, it is also beneficial to stay hydrated, maintain a light diet with foods that contain minimal residue, and avoid foods that tend to aggravate symptoms, such as spicy and fatty foods. However, certain warning signs mean you should seek urgent medical care. These include:

• Very frequent bloody diarrhea (more than six to eight times daily).
• Severe abdominal pain or abdominal swelling.
• High fever or chills.
• Dizziness, dehydration, or inability to keep fluids down.
• Rapidly worsening weakness or signs of anemia.

These symptoms may indicate a severe flare that requires hospital treatment with intravenous medications. Many people with ulcerative colitis experience occasional flares, but with proper medication, monitoring, and early medical attention, most patients achieve long periods of remission and good control of symptoms.

Regular follow-up with your doctor is essential to keep the disease well managed.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again if you have further queries.

Thank you.