Don’t let ulcerative colitis keep you in the out house while everyone is having a good time.  A little preparation and some of these tips can help you get the most out of your holiday season!

1. Control your alcohol intake.  Some people find that alcohol can contribute to symptoms such as diarrhea or gas.

2. If holiday stress is getting to you, take some time out for your self if you need.  Some quiet time to relax is important.

3. If you happen to be traveling for the holidays, be sure to prepare yourself and your companions in the way that is best for you.  Have all your medication with you, all important medical documents, and your doctor’s information.

4. Get refills for your medication ahead of time.  During the holidays, your doctor may be traveling or unavailable, and the only person you will be able to get a hold of is the answering service, or an on-call physician who might not be familiar with your case.

5. If you happen to order natural remedies online such as AloeElite for your ulcerative colitis,  you may want to allow an additional 3-5 days due to possible holiday shipping delays.

I. C. E. stands for In Case of Emergency

1. For a sore bottom during an ulcerative colitis flare up using a doughnut pillow can work wonders in relieving pressure. Sitz baths with Epsom salt is a great comfort measure but if hot water happens to irritate more than relieve, a cold compress might be best.

2. During a flare up avoid any caffeine or alcohol intake, and all spicy foods and raw vegetables from your diet. Your colon and intestines will be extremely irritated at this point, therefore eating small, easy to digest meals can reduce the side effects during the flare up. Eat soft bland foods, like hot cereal, gelatins, brown rice, steamed vegetables. Drink beverages and broths, for example, unsweetened natural fruit juices and vegetable juices. Avoid dried fruits, instead, substitute them with fresh fruit like avocados, bananas, cooked apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, seedless grapes, tomatoes and soft melons. Fresh fruits to avoid include berries, figs, plums, rhubarb, coconut and crabapples.

3. Exercise lightly, such as a short walk. This will help your digestive system regulate again. Exercise also reduces stress, which can also make flare ups worse. Avoid any strenous activities, just take it easy and stop if you get tired or if you feel any pain. Your body needs every little bit of energy you can save in order to heal properly from this flare up.

4. If you happen to be traveling during a flare up, there are several measures you need to keep in mind. Make sure you take all your medication with you, and have a medical folder with a list of your medication, your gastroenterologist information, in case of emergency contacts, all allergies to medication or shellfish, and a medical report from your gastroenterologist describing all the specifics to your condition. It is always best to be prepared.

5. If you are taking a natural antiinflamatory supplement such as AloeElite, they may recommend to double the dose during flare ups.

1. Avoid any gastrointestinal stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and smoking

2. Stress affects the body in many ways, most important decreasing your resistance to inflammation.  Find the best way to manage stress in your life.  Some patients find it helpful to meditate, others like physical activities, and for others, talking about their feelings works best.

3. Although there is no evidence that any particular food causes ulcerative colitis, certain foods can make symptoms worse for every individual.  Keeping a symptoms diary can help you identify which foods aggravate your symptoms.

4. After each bowel movement, thoroughly clean the skin around the rectum to prevent skin breakdown and irritation.

5. Seek for alternative ulcerative colitis therapy.  To prevent unwanted side effects from the traditional drug treatments and surgeries sometimes required, try natural methods instead.  Although not a cure, natural remedies such as AloeElite, aid in relieving the symptoms for a more healthy functioning level.