Ulcerative Colitis: Changing a Family's Focus

Ulcerative Colitis, even in mild cases, changes a family's lifestyle, at least to some degree. Diet, regular schedules and the awareness of possible flare-ups all keep the family hyper-aware that the illness exists.

In most families, when a member has constipation or diarrhea, it is viewed as a minor irritant. However, in a family affected by Ulcerative Colitis, any aspect of a change in "normalcy," such as the aforementioned or fever, can signal the exacerbation of the illness.

In some cases, lifetime medications have to be taken. In the most severe cases, a person (and family) has to learn to live with a colostomy which requires special care.

Whether it is children at school or adults at work, the affects of the illness can carry over with respect to discomfort, thereby preventing the person from effectively completing their tasks. It can affect mood, self-image and desire. It can affect attendance.

The best way to look at Ulcerative Colitis is as an illness that in most cases it waxes and wanes. In its best moments it allows one to function on a basis less than 100 percent and in the worst cases it is not possible to function. A family never knows quite what to expect and this can create hard feelings.

In our family we spend money on medicines as well as co-pays for doctors' visits. We have to be aware of diet, stress levels and schedules in the event that someone runs into a problem. The availability of restrooms is always a concern. Exercise is not an option; rather, it is something which has to play a role in our lives along with plenty of fluids.

If our family decides to take a vacation, it is necessary to make sure that, once again, there is adequate access to a restroom. A trip has to be planned around all potential problems from the illness rather than just figuring out how to have fun.

Probably the most disheartening thing about Ulcerative Colitis is that it simply dominates a family's life. You are constantly asking each other questions about the potential of symptoms (since there are two in our family who have it) and that becomes the daily topic.