- A new ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis is a chance to take charge of your health.
- Understanding your disease with the right professionals improves outcomes.
- With the right team and strategies in place, it’s possible to manage UC and live well.
Receiving a new health diagnosis can feel like the world has shifted beneath your feet. When that diagnosis is ulcerative colitis (UC), the news can bring a mix of emotions—perhaps some relief from finally having a name for your symptoms, but also fear and uncertainty about what comes next. You may feel overwhelmed, alone and unsure of where to even begin.
The good news? You’re not powerless. Taking control starts with the very next steps you choose to take.
We spoke with medical and nutrition experts to outline the five most important things to do right after a UC diagnosis. These aren’t long-term management strategies but immediate, actionable steps to help you build a solid foundation for your health journey.
What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of your large intestine (the colon) and rectum. This inflammation can lead to symptoms like persistent diarrhea (sometimes with blood or pus), abdominal pain, urgent bowel movements and fatigue.
Living with UC means managing a chronic condition. The inflammation can vary in severity and location within the colon, which is why your experience may look different from someone else’s. The journey often involves periods of active symptoms, known as flares, and periods of remission when symptoms improve or disappear.
Receiving a diagnosis is the first step toward finding the right treatment to control inflammation, manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Once you receive your diagnosis, here are five things to consider doing first.
1. Take a Moment to Breathe
Before you dive into research or start making major life changes, the very first thing to do is pause: acknowledge the weight of the diagnosis and give yourself space to process it.
Grace Derocha, M.B.A., RD, CDCES, says that the very first thing she encourages people newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis to do is to take a few deep breaths. “I then remind them that now they have some answers about how they have been feeling and that is good news, even though it can be scary and intimidating to get the UC diagnosis,” she explains.
Learning you have a chronic condition can feel jarring, but it also provides clarity and a direction. You now have a name for what’s been happening in your body—and that’s the starting point for building a plan to feel better.
2. Find the Right Gastroenterologist
Not all gastroenterologists (GIs) have the same level of experience with treating inflammatory bowel disease. Michael Bass, M.D., stresses the importance of finding the right specialist. “Get connected with a gastroenterologist who actually specializes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Not just any GI,” he advises. IBD is an umbrella term that includes two main chronic conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
An IBD specialist is more likely to be up-to-date on the latest research, treatments and disease-specific management strategies. “The goal isn’t just to calm today’s symptoms, it’s to protect your colon long-term, prevent complications and avoid unnecessary steroids or surgery down the line,” says Bass. “You want a plan, not just a prescription.”
Finding a doctor who takes a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach can help you feel more confident, informed and empowered as you begin your treatment journey.
3. Understand Your Specific Diagnosis
Once you have the right specialist, the next step is to understand the specifics of your ulcerative colitis. UC can affect different parts of the colon, and the severity of inflammation can range from mild to severe. Knowing exactly where and how active the disease is plays a key role in choosing the most effective treatment.
“UC can present very differently from person to person, and understanding how active the inflammation is helps guide the right treatment plan early on,” explains Sean Lee, M.D. Your doctor will use findings from your colonoscopy, biopsies and blood tests to classify your disease and assess its severity.
This is also a good time to ask them questions, such as:
- Where is the inflammation located?
- How severe is it?
- What does this mean for my treatment options?
Having a clear picture of your individual case can help you feel more confident and empowered, allowing you to take an active role in your health care decisions.
4. Get Your Nutrient Levels Checked
The inflammation from ulcerative colitis can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients from food, increasing the risk of deficiencies that affect your overall health. That’s why establishing a baseline of your nutrient levels early on is an important step.
“Don’t be afraid to ask your gastroenterologist to look at nutrients like vitamin D, iron, zinc, B12,” says Ashley Hurst, M.S., RD, LD, CPT, a registered dietitian who also lives with inflammatory bowel disease. “In ulcerative colitis, we can be more at risk for deficiencies, so it’s important to check these,” she adds.
Malnutrition is a serious concern. As Hurst notes, “Up to 50% of those with UC experience malnutrition, which can ultimately impact how well they respond to medications, can increase symptoms and even stand in the way of getting to remission.” Addressing these deficiencies with your health care team right away can help support symptom control, treatment response and long-term outcomes.
5. Build Your Support System
Managing ulcerative colitis isn’t just about medical treatment. Your daily habits, stress levels and emotional well-being also play a meaningful role in how you feel. For long-term success, a holistic approach is often essential, says Lee.
“Lifestyle factors like stress management, sleep and medication adherence also matter, particularly because not all patients respond to therapy, and some may experience changes in how well treatments work over time,” Lee explains. “Supportive dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms alongside medical treatment and improve day-to-day quality of life.”
This is where building a strong support system comes in. In addition to your IBD specialist, consider working with a registered dietitian experienced in UC, who can help you manage symptoms through nutrition without unnecessary food restrictions. You may also benefit from connecting with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who can offer tools to manage stress, anxiety and the emotional impact of living with a chronic condition.
Finally, lean on family, friends or a patient support group. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Our Expert Take
A new diagnosis of ulcerative colitis can feel overwhelming, but it also marks the first step toward taking back control of your health. By taking these initial actions, you’re building a strong foundation for managing your condition with confidence and clarity.
While the path with UC can have its challenges, remember that effective treatments and strategies are available to help you live a full and healthy life. Stay hopeful, lean on your support system and know that getting answers is the beginning of a new, empowered chapter in your health story.
