If your ulcerative colitis symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek treatment. One of the most important and helpful things you can do to provide clarity about your condition is keeping a symptom diary. By doing this, you and your doctor may be able to identify triggers as well as strategies that help.
What is the best way to keep a symptom diary for ulcerative colitis?
As long as you’re consistent in using your symptom diary, you can keep track of your ulcerative colitis symptoms in any format you want. That could be writing in a physical notebook or calendar, a digital word processing app, or the notes app on your phone.
“That doesn't mean you need to track every single thing you do every minute of the day, but it means that you need to keep a record of how you're feeling at different points,” says Dr. Zöe Gottlieb, Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “And that helps us to identify what's making you feel sick, which gives us a better sense of how to treat you.”
What should I keep track of in my symptom journal for ulcerative colitis?
To get the most out of your symptom journal, Dr. Gottlieb recommends tracking the following:
Bowel movements: How often are your BMs? Do your BMs wake you up? Is there diarrhea, and if so, how often? Are your BMs bloody or do they have mucus? Does the BM feel “stuck” inside your body?
What you’re eating: Write down what you are eating so you can identify the foods that may worsen your symptoms.
Other symptoms: Record any symptoms like chills, sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. If you do feel fatigued, keep track of the time of day when it happens and how severe it is. Are you experiencing joint pain or swelling, pain or redness in your eyes, rashes, or other skin changes?
Mood: Are you feeling anxious or depressed? Ulcerative colitis can also be linked to mood disorders, so tracking your mood can help your healthcare provider know if you might need a referral to a therapist.
The bottom line
Taking the time to write down your ulcerative colitis symptoms can help your doctor find you the best treatment sooner, because it gives them as much information as possible. Tracking your bowel movements, food, mood, and other symptoms like fatigue can give you awareness about what triggers your ulcerative colitis.
Whatever diary format is easiest for you is the best one for you to use, because consistency is key in keeping track of your UC symptoms.
Why trust our experts?
Dr. Gottlieb is a board-certified gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Mount Sinai Hospital.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. (2022). Depression and anxiety.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. (N.D.). IBD symptom tracker.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Ulcerative colitis.
