The Colitis Support Center

Colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease can affect anyone, but it most often strikes before the age of 30. Because there is no cure, it is important to understand the disease and know what are the best remedies to keep symptoms at bay. People living with colitis face special challenges, but it is important to know you're not alone and that help and support is readily available.

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best resources about colitis: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges that you face.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Colitis Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.   

JUST FOUND OUT 

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Colitis

• WebMD: Ulcerative Colitis  An extensive backgrounder on colitis, from symptoms to support organizations.
  
• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis  The website also gives detailed information, including lifestyle and home remedies, and alternative remedies.
• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America  A non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for ulcerative colitis.
  

The Big Picture

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the small intestine and colon. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. However, colitis usually affects only the colon and rectum while Crohn’s can occur in other parts of the digestive system. While there is no cure, colitis can be managed with medications, surgery and changes to your diet and lifestyle.

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Ulcerative Colitis

Your Colitis

The more you know about how colitis affects you, the more you can do to help manage the symptoms. Start a diary to track your symptoms over several weeks, looking for patterns in your diet and lifestyle that may be aggravating them, then discuss the results with your doctor.

• Living with UC: Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms Diary
  

Because colitis is similar to other digestive diseases, it is important to understand the symptoms so that you know when to seek medical advice.

• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis - When to Seek Medical Advice
• WebMD: When to Call a Doctor
  

Your World

Being diagnosed with colitis can affect you emotionally as well as physically. If you're feeling embarassed, anxious and depressed about having colitis, talking with a support group or mentall-health professional who understands the symptoms can be beneficial.

• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis - Coping and Support

Talking with family and friends about your colitis is a good idea so you can make them understand what you're dealing with, and get their support.

• Living with UC: Talking About Ulcerative Colitis
  

Colitis Myths

• Colitis is caused by infection
  
• The prognosis for colitis is poor
• Colitis is caused by stress
  

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

Survivors say these are more good guides -- check them out to find out more about your options:

• eMedicineHealth: Colitis
• UCSF Medical Center: Colitis
  
• About.com: Ulcerative Colitis
  

Types of Treatment

Drug therapy is aimed at quieting inflammation or relieving symptoms. When that fails. or if signs of colon cancer develop, surgery to remove the colon is performed.

• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis - Treatment

Possible Treatment Side Effects

Different drugs have different complications associated with them and it is important to know the side effects, and discuss the benefits versus risks with your doctor, before you take them.

• MedicineNet: Ulcerative Colitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

New Therapies

Research is constantly being conducted on treating and curing colitis, and there are nearly 80 new therapies in the pipeline.

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: Research

Holistic Treatments

Alternative Treatments

More than half of people with colitis use some form of alternative therapy, including nutritional supplements, probiotics and fish oil. The majority of these therapies aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it's important to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor beforehand.

• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis - Alternative Medicine

Home Therapies

Dietary and lifestyle changes are very useful in preventing colitis flare-ups.

• Mayo Clinic: Ulcerative Colitis - Lifestyle and Home Remedies
• WebMD:  Ulcerative Colitis - Changing Your Diet

Creating a Support Circle

• Set up your TSC Survivor Profile
• Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own
• Interact and provide updates on your profile or our forums

Insurance & Work Matters

Insurance Matters

If your colitis becomes a crippling problem, consider applying for disability insurance or Social Security disability benefits.

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: Social Security - Applying for Benefits

Work Matters

Learn about what you can expect in terms of your employment rights when you have colitis.

• Associated Content: Health and Wellness - Ulcerative Colitis & The Law - Employment, Fact and Fallacy

Healthcare Providers Who Can Help

Gastroenterologists are the most experienced medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment of colitis.

• CCFA.org: Choose a Specialist or Treatment Center

Communicating with Your Healthcare Providers

• Write down any questions you may have ahead of time. Write downthe answers to those questions as your healthcare provider walks you through them, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.
• Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments, not only to provide support but to lend an extra ear to understand everything your healthcare provider says and to think of more questions you may have forgotten to ask.
• Don't be scared to ask any question, even if you may be scared of the answer. Ignorance won't help you fight colitis.

The Emotional Roller Coaster

To avoid experiencing anxiety and stress over having colitis, it's important to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done, while accommodating your special needs. Support groups are also important for  maintaining a healthy emotional state; other people with colitis can empathize and help you cope.

• CCFA.org: Crohn's & Colitis Community
  

Books Survivors Recommend

• Coping Successfully With Ulcerative Colitis (Overcoming Common Problems) by Peter Cartwright
• The First Year: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Jill Sklar
• The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut : The Complete Nutritional Guide to Ileitis, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease by James Scala

Dealing with Colitis: Information for Co-Survivors

How you can help

• Assist your friend or family member with his regular duties or chores, but mke sure you strike a good balance so you don;t throw him off his typical pattern of living. That may increase his stress as he may feel he is becoming a burden.
• Preserve your friend or family member's daily activities. It's normal to feel protective but excluding her from activities or decisions because you don't her as fit enough to do them can lead to her feeling helpless.
• Involve your friend or family member with others. Don't focus exclusively on his disease and treatment plan when interacting with him. Talk to him about your own life, and make plans to visit friends and loved ones. A survivor involved with others has a better chance of avoiding feelings of abandonment.

What to say    

• "Tell me what the symptoms are, so I can understand what you're going through."
• "You should consider joining a support group."
• "I care about you, and I'm here to help."
  

What not to say

• "You're having a flare-up now? We were supposed to go..."
• "We don't have to go out if you think you might have a flare-up."
• "You need to eat better."

How to build a support network

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor Profile
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates

How to help a survivor deal with day-to-day challenges

• Offer to help in any way you can, including pitching in with daily activities and covering for him if desired when he has a flare-up.
• Don't bring up the problem unless the survivor wishes to discuss it. Some people find digestive issues very embarrassing.
• Do research, join support groups, learn all you can to help your survivor with this struggle.
  

Remission / Recovery / Recurrence

Each case of colitis is different, and symptoms and treatments will vary. While colitis may never be cured, colitis sufferers can find the right treatment and lifestyle patterns to manage the condition with fewer symptoms.

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: Living with IBD

A good emotional boost is to read or hear stories about other colitis sufferers and how they're making the most of their lives.

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: Personal Stories

Ulcerative colitis can also cause other problems, such as joint pain, eye problems, or liver disease. Those who've had colitis for 8 years or longer have a greater chance of getting colon cancer so it's important to talk to your doctor about cancer screening. That will help you find any cancer earlier, making it easier to treat.  

To find better treatments and a cure for colitis, consider donating your time and money to an organization focused on colitis research and advocacy

• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: How You Can Help