Newly Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis? Here’s What to Know
01 Jul 2026
Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it can be pretty nice to understand why you’ve been feeling the way that you have. On the other hand, it does bring a new question, which is: well, what now?
While ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, it doesn’t mean that you’ll need to change everything about your life overnight. However, it can very much be worthwhile knowing a thing or two about the condition, which should help you to manage symptoms, make appropriate changes, and just more broadly have a better understanding about what’s happening.
With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to put together some essential info that should help to make you feel more in control.
Ulcerative Colitis Has Three States
First up, the basics of ulcerative colitis: as we said above, though UC is a chronic condition, it actually has three distinct states that will impact how you experience it on a day-to-day basis.
These are:
• Remission: This is when symptoms are minimal or absent altogether. You’ll feel ‘normal’ during this stage.
• Flare-Up: Symptoms are present, and the UC requires more careful management.
• In-Between: Some symptoms may be present, but daily life is mostly manageable.
You’ll be in one of the three states at all times. Each has different management techniques.
Fixing Your Diet Can Make a Meaningful Difference
It’s true that diet alone can’t treat ulcerative colitis, but it can make a meaningful difference. Your diet can help improve how you feel during all three UC states. During flare-up, low-fibre diets are typically recommended; during remission, anti-inflammatory diets can help to prolong the remission state. During the in-between state, the flare-up diet is generally phased out before moving to the remission diet. Since each person’s situation is different, it’s typically recommended to work with dietitians like those available at JM Nutrition, who will work with you to create a tailor-made diet that reflects your specific needs. Expert dietitians can also help recommend probiotics, which have been shown to help with UC management.
Not All Symptoms Are Obvious
Most people — even those who have UC — often think that symptoms of the condition are limited to bathroom-related symptoms, but that’s not the case. In fact, this is one of the reasons why many people delay seeking treatment for ulcerative colitis: they simply didn’t know that they were experiencing one of the lesser-known symptoms.
Some commonly overlooked signs of UC include fatigue, reduced appetite, and feeling run down. Knowing these symptoms can help you get a better understanding of your own UC state, since the presence of one may indicate that you’re approaching a flare-up.
Severity Can Vary Widely
As we said above, receiving a UC diagnosis can bring conflicting emotions of both relief and panic, and the latter can be especially worrying if you know someone with severe UC. The truth is, experiences can vary significantly. Your own experience will depend on the condition and on your management. By working with experts, you can help to minimise the severity of your condition.
Craig Silva
Craig is a passionate and seasoned travel, food, and lifestyle writer, whose words paint vivid pictures of the world's most captivating destinations. His work not only inspires others to embark on their own adventures but also fosters a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our world. He captures the essence of each locale, offering readers a glimpse into the cultures, landscapes, cuisine, and experiences that make travel so enriching. Craig is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Travel Writers Alliance (ITWA). If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.
