Key takeaways

  • Preventing flare-ups of ulcerative colitis involves taking prescribed medications, maintaining a balanced diet, and managing stress. Avoiding known triggers, such as certain foods and smoking, is also important.
  • Certain diets may help you manage UC. For example, SCD or low-FODMAP diets may be helpful for some people. It’s important to know how to recognize your symptoms and what helps you when you have a flare-up.
  • Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and quality sleep, can contribute to overall well-being. Support groups and counseling may help manage the emotional side of the UC.

For anyone with ulcerative colitis (UC), remission is a beautiful word. No longer having to cope with daily painful bowel movements, stomach cramping, and discomfort gives you a lot more time to enjoy your life.

One mistake many of us make, however, is to deviate from our treatment plan when we’re enjoying a remission period. UC is known as an unpredictable condition, meaning flare-ups can come and go without much warning.

Still, there are some key strategies that can help you prevent flare-ups and stay in remission long term. Keep reading to learn more.

It can be tempting to come off of your UC medications when you’re in remission. Drug therapies can be expensive, and sometimes the side effects aren’t ideal.

However, not taking prescribed medications during remission can increase your risk of a relapse. A 2024 study found that more than 50% of people who discontinued their medications experienced a relapse.

So, which medications are the best for you to take when you’re in remission? Your doctor may recommend the following:

  • Aminosalicylates. These anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat mild to moderate
    flare-ups of UC.
  • Immune system suppressors. These medications are able to reduce inflammation in the
    body by suppressing the immune system.
  • Biologics. These medications work to stop enzymes and proteins that are developed naturally in
    your body from causing inflammation. Biologics have proven very effective in keeping people with UC in remission.
  • Targeted synthetic small molecules. These medications reduce inflammation by targeting specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation in the intestines and other organs.

Although food can’t cure your UC, certain foods that are high in antioxidants (like blueberries, cherries, tomatoes) and low-fiber veggies that are pureed or cooked are staples for many people with UC.

Also, you may want to try eating numerous small, digestible meals throughout the day rather than big meals. Even when you’re in remission, sticking to these eating strategies is important.

You might also try the following elimination diets, which have helped some people stay in remission:

  • The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) completely eliminates refined sugars and complex carbs from your diet, including all grains and most dairy. The SCD is popular for people with UC because it promotes easily digestible foods that don’t trigger inflammation. There are many forums and books written on this diet, so before you try it, learn as much as you can about it.
  • The Low-FODMAP Diet is meant to reduce the gut discomfort of people living with irritable bowel syndrome by
    eliminating FODMAPs — sugars found in certain carbs and alcohols that are hard for the gut to absorb.

Routine checkups are important, especially during remission. They allow your doctor to assess what is happening inside your body — and based on what they learn, they can provide recommendations to keep you in remission.

Visiting the doctor can also help you feel on top of your remission and reduce any anxieties you might have about potential flare-ups.

Life can be stressful. Living with UC on top of managing daily routines can sometimes seem overwhelming. You may spend a lot of time worrying about your next flare-up, especially if you feel guilty for eating poorly one night or drinking too much on a weekend.

The more stressed out you are, the harder it is for your body to remain in UC remission. Stress may lead to less sleep, drinking more, and picking up old bad habits.

To help keep stress levels down, try:

  • exercise
  • joining a UC support
    group
  • yoga
  • meditation
  • counseling

Staying in UC remission isn’t always something you can control. Sometimes, UC seems to have a mind of its own.

But you can significantly increase your chances of remaining in remission by being faithful to your drug therapy, eating well, and checking in regularly with your doctor.

In addition, exercising, sleeping enough, and enjoying time with your friends and family may not only take your mind off UC but also make you feel better and, ultimately, enjoy life more.