WELCOME
Welcome to the AGA Institute Ulcerative Colitis Weblog. This weblog has been created as an interactive resource for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) to share their comments and questions about living life with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our goal is to provide a forum where individuals can obtain factual, reliable information about UC while also feeling free to share their own insights into the disease. As a physician, I have found that some of the most valuable information I have learned has been taught to me by my patients. Based upon the comments and questions generated by patients on this site, we will be creating weekly postings to address the issues and topics that are of interest to those with UC.
With the summer season in full swing, many patients in the office have had questions about how manage their UC while enjoying the summer sun and traveling. Some tips for keeping healthy this summer:
1) Stay well hydrated especially during outdoor activities and long car/plane trips.
2) Medications such as prednisone, sulfasalazine, certain antibiotics, and methotrexate can
be associated with increased sensitivity to the sun. Wear sunblock with a minimum sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15.
3) Airline travel which involves sitting for long periods puts people at risk of developing blood
clots in the legs known at deep venous thromboses (DVTs). Patients with IBD have an
increased risk of developing clots due to the disease itself. It is recommended
that during long trips you move your legs by flexing your ankles or marching your
knees to promote circulation.
4) If you are traveling to a location with a high rate of gastrointestinal infections (ie;
Mexico, Central America), speak with your doctor about taking an antibiotic to prevent
travelers’ diarrhea or at least one to have on hand in the event you get sick. Remember that
some antibiotics can cause problems for patients with IBD, so it is best to discuss what the
appropriate medicine to take with you may be ahead of time.
5) Be careful about consuming fresh fruits and vegetables from street vendors that may
harbor bacteria like E. coli and can cause illness. Drink bottled water when traveling to
locations with high rates of gastrointestinal infections.
6) If you are going abroad to exotic locations such as Africa or parts of Southeast Asia which
require vaccinations prior to travel speak with your doctor. In general, most vaccines are safe
for patients with IBD, but certain “live agent” vaccines may be contraindicated for patients on
immune suppression.
I join Dr. Schwartz in looking forward to our discussions together this year.