Ulcerative colitis is quite a common health condition affecting the large intestine, that is, the colon and rectum. Millions of people suffer from this chronic, inflammatory bowel disease. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis include nausea, diarrhea with an urgent sensation to pass bowel, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and cramps, anemia, and fatigue. While there is no cure for this illness in any field of medicine, lifestyle modifications can help manage it. Avoiding certain triggers can help reduce flare-ups, and including certain types of foods can bring about positive benefits.

Here are 10 natural ways and lifestyle changes to manage ulcerative colitis:

• Maintain a food journal. Observe and note down which foods cause flare-ups and which ones help reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Refrain consuming the ones that trigger your condition, and include others that support this sensitive stomach condition.
• Incorporate probiotics like natural yogurt, kefir, and miso in the diet. Increased amounts of healthful bacteria from probiotics can neutralize the effects of harmful bacteria in the body that causes nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Additionally, probiotic supplements that contain lactobacillus too can be included to protect the lining of the gut.
• Add phytochemical-rich foods like apples, grapes, raspberries, cocoa, olive oil, and Indian gooseberries in your diet. This helps reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
• Adequate hydration is essential to counteract the effects of diarrhea. This can be achieved by consuming clean drinking water, traditional buttermilk, coconut water, or unsweetened apple juice.
• Persistent diarrhea and loss of appetite can weaken the body and cause anemia and fatigue. Take vitamin and mineral supplements to negate the loss of vital nutrients by ulcerative colitis.
• Avoid deep-fried, heavily processed, sodium-rich, and sugary foods that do not provide any nutrition but worsen ulcerative colitis conditions.
• While there is no conclusive evidence against dairy products, limiting or completely avoiding milk, flavored yogurt, butter, cream, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products might help some people reduce symptoms of diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are excellent sources of nutrition, but they are also rich in fiber and can aggravate ulcerative colitis symptoms. Instead of eliminating them completely from the diet, they can be enjoyed in different forms, and maybe, in lesser quantities.
• Steer clear from alcohol and all beverages containing caffeine and carbonated drinks. These irritate the lining of the stomach and can increase the risk of diarrhea and gas.
• Instead of three large meals a day, have multiple smaller meals that provide balanced nutrition, make digestion easier and release sustained energy throughout the day.

Stress, both physical and emotional, can provoke symptoms of ulcerative colitis and trigger flare-ups sometimes. Engage in mind and body relaxing activities every day. Yoga, moderate exercise, swimming, and other ways to calm and strengthen the body can be included as a daily habit. No two people with ulcerative colitis experience the same symptoms or trigger factors. So, after consultations with a medical practitioner, an individualized plan that consists of natural and gradual changes in the diet, exercise, and lifestyle schedule can be framed. These will undoubtedly help manage symptoms of ulcerative colitis.