How to Eat to Live to 100

 

By Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD, Registered dietitian July 13, 2021

Living a long, healthy life is at the top of most people’s wish list. But just how do you get there?

Author Dan Buettner decided to go straight to the source. Working with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging, he identified areas of the world where people live the longest and healthiest, such as Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, and Loma Linda, CA.

They dubbed these areas “blue zones,” then set out to discover what those populations had in common. For instance, people in the blue zones are naturally active throughout the day, have meaningful connections in their community, and feel a sense of purpose.

But their diets have things in common too, according to his cookbook The Blue Zones Kitchen. Here are some of the ways you can make their longevity diet work for your health too:

Eat beans. People in the blue zones eat beans regularly -- at least a half cup every day. Beans (such as black, garbanzo, and white) are an inexpensive source of plant-based protein and they’re loaded with fiber, a nutrient that’s linked to lower risk of disease and good for gut health.

Include cruciferous veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage all contain natural compounds that are good for your heart and help ward off some kinds of cancer.

Snack on nuts. The blue zone centenarians eat about 2 ounces of nuts a day -- that’s roughly two small handfuls. You can vary the kind you eat (such as pistachios, walnuts, and almonds) to get the array of benefits. Peanuts are an especially economical choice.

Drink mostly water. Though people in the blue zones also drink beverages like tea and coffee, most of your hydration should come from water. Beverages like soda are the No. 1 source of added sugar for most adults -- and most sugary drinks are void of other nutrients anyway. Although red wine is popular in some blue zones, the authors note you shouldn’t start drinking it if you don’t already.

Get less sugar. People in the blue zones eat just a fifth of the added sugar we eat in North America. Instead of having sugary foods and drinks throughout the day, they tend to eat sugar “intentionally” for special occasions.

Make more meatless meals. In blue zones, meat isn’t the centerpiece of the meal. It’s more of a side dish or a way to boost flavor in recipes. ​Their meals are mostly plant-based, and beans are often the main protein source (or tofu in Okinawa, Japan).

Show gratitude and eat with loved ones. Take a moment to show gratitude before a meal -- and ideally, enjoy your meals in the company of family and friends.

Source: © 2021 WebMD, LLC.

Health Lessons Men Can Learn from Women

 

Catch More ZZZs

Women usually get more sleep than men. Many log at least 8 hours of shut-eye on weeknights. Both genders need between 7 and 9 hours a night. To help you nod off, make sure your room is dark and cool, and leave devices like phones, tablets, and TVs in another part of the house.

Keep Up With Your Buddies

Looking for a reason to get a group of guys together for poker night? How about this? It could add years to your life. Women tend to have more friends. Having a group of pals you can have fun with and trust can be quite healthy.

Kick the Habit

About 20 out of every 100 adult men smoke, while only 15 of 100 adult women light up. Whether you go through a couple of packs a day or only smoke every once in a while, it’s time to talk to your doctor about how to stop.

Back Away From the Bar

Ladies know when to say no better than guys do. They’re only half as likely to abuse alcohol as men. That’s not the only bad news -- dudes are also more likely to binge and to stay drunk longer.

Play It Safer

Guess which gender takes more risks. Guys are usually the ones who don't wear seat belts,  drive too fast, or make all-out war out of a friendly pickup basketball game. Slow down and think twice before you act -- and wind up in the ER.

Keep Your Skin Safe

Men spend more time in the sun. But they're less likely to use sunscreen correctly, if at all. Use enough to fill a shot glass, and reapply every 2 hours.

Watch What You Eat

The healthy eating award goes to the gals. Guys eat more meat, while women eat more fruits and  vegetables. Men are more likely to eat runny eggs, raw oysters, and nearly raw beef. The fact is, some guys just don’t want to eat their veggies. Don’t be that guy.

Wash Your Hands

Don't touch that bathroom door handle. Way more women wash their hands more often (and better) than men -- especially after they use a public restroom. That gets rid of germs that can cause disease. Plus, women are much more likely to use soap than men. Bottom line: If you don’t want to catch a cold, the flu, or something worse, scrub down!

Get Checked Out

One way to stay healthy: Go to the doctor. Men are about twice as likely as women to say they haven't seen a doctor in the past year. Don’t tough it out. Ask the doc how often you should come in and what tests they suggest  for someone your age. Then make an appointment and get it over with.

Keep Your Mind Healthy

While women may be more likely to get depressed, there's also a better chance they'll get help for it. Guys, the first step to shaking off the blues is to see a doctor or a mental health expert. The sooner you get started, the faster you’ll feel better.

Guide to Sex after 60

 

60-Plus: Still Sexy

Sex after 60? That’s a big yes. Many mature couples have better love lives than they did in their more youthful days. There are lots of reasons for this. They have deeper intimacy with partners, fewer distractions, no pregnancy concerns, and just plain more time to get busy. Plus, they have much more know-how and done-that than those young things on TV

Hormonal Changes

Around midlife -- age 45 or so -- new issues can temporarily dampen your love life, though. Sex hormones take a big dip. For women, menopause brings a plunge in estrogen and androgens. Your vaginal walls get thinner and drier. Men see a nosedive of testosterone and estrogen about the same time. This can make it difficult to get an erection (erectile dysfunction, or ED). Changes in the brain and your blood flow switch things up, too.

Vaginal Changes

The main sexual problems for women tend to be trouble getting to orgasm, lack of desire, and vaginal dryness. Your vagina shortens and narrows with age. It doesn’t moisten itself as easily as before. This can cause pain when you have sex. Lubed condoms, water-based lubricating jelly, and vaginal moisturizers might do the trick. Your doctor might also prescribe vaginal estrogen, which comes as a cream, a pill or tablet, or an insert.

Erectile Dysfunction

The main age-related sexual problem for men is erectile dysfunction, or ED. Erections don’t come -- and stay -- like they used to. Your penis might not get as hard or big as before. One of four ED drugs might be the answer. But they can have side effects. They can also clash with drugs that contain nitrates. Be wary of herbs and supplements that promise a fast fix. Always talk to your doctor before you try them.

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause ED for men, especially those with type 2. Poor blood sugar control can, over time, damage nerves and blood vessels that supply sex organs. Meds, a penis pump, or even a penile implant can help. Women with this condition can also have less feeling in their genitals. It also causes more vaginal yeast infections, which can irritate this area and make it difficult or unpleasant to have sex. But they’re easily treated.

Heart Disease

A heart attack during sex might make for good TV, but it doesn’t often happen in real life. Heart disease does make your arteries narrow and harden, so your blood doesn’t flow as easily. You might find it hard to get aroused or have orgasms. But once it’s treated, your doctor likely will give you the green light. Be sure to tell your doctor about any chest pain, problems breathing, or symptoms that get worse.

Other Challenges

Other medical conditions that can affect your sex life include weight gain, arthritis, chronic pain, bladder control problems, dementia, high blood pressure or cholesterol, side effects from meds, depression, and stroke. Also, surgery -- especially in sexual areas -- can affect your self-image and how you feel. Talk with each other about ways you can stay close. Put aside care-giving roles when you can to focus on being a partner.

Talk to Your Doctor

You might not find it easy to talk about this subject with your doctor. The truth is, they might have trouble talking about it, too. They might be more likely to bring it up when it relates to other conditions. It can help to ask direct questions, such as: Can you recommend a sex counselor, and is this covered by Medicare? Do any of my meds cause sex problems? Would it help me to take estrogen? Is there an alternative to ED drugs?

Sex Therapy

If your primary doctor isn’t helpful, consider a sex therapist or other trained counselor. They’ll talk with you about your concerns and help come up with ways to meet your needs as a couple. Maybe the answer is more foreplay, or more direct stimulation. If a condition like arthritis makes it hard to enjoy sex, they can suggest new positions that are more comfortable and satisfying for you both.

Get Creative

Common sense and a creative spirit can spark new ways to enjoy sex. For example, if a flat surface doesn’t work for your knees, a new position or special furniture can offer another angle. If you have problems getting aroused, a vibrator can help get blood moving. It’s natural to worry about “getting back into the swing of things” if you’ve been inactive for a while. But just having sex can help you relax and let desire take the lead.

Safe Sex Is Still Important

STDs are equal-opportunity diseases: They don’t discriminate by age. If you’re sexually active, you’re at risk for STDs. These include chlamydia, genital warts or herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Also, the number of older people with HIV and AIDS is growing. You should always keep up on your checkups and tests, use condoms, and keep up honest communication with your partner.

Changing Partners

With better health, meds, and more ways to meet people, such as online, older adults can enjoy dating -- and sex -- at any age. But you need to stay savvy. Learn your partner’s history before you have sex of any kind. Both of you should get tested first, too. Always use a condom and water-based lubricant, which protects against sores or cuts that can raise your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Differences in Desire

Couples clash at times about sex drive -- or lack of it. For women, the drop in estrogen, bowel and bladder problems, breast atrophy, or cystitis after sex can dampen desire. Men with ED or other problems might just not want to “go there.” Think about your partner’s point of view. When you talk about your feelings and needs, do it from an “I” standpoint: “I’d enjoy it if we … .” This lets you express yourself without hurting feelings.

Why You Should Bother

Why bother, you ask? Short answer: The benefits of sex are many. Just a few reasons to keep at it (and going solo counts): It boosts your immune system, burns calories, lowers blood pressure, helps you relax, eases pain, keeps your mind sharp, and may lessen the risk of heart attack and prostate cancer. It keeps you and your partner close. It just may help you live longer. Oh, and it makes you happy.

Different Strokes

You can be intimate and loving -- and sexy, too -- without intercourse. Lovemaking includes caressing, hugging, kissing, and manual or oral stimulation. Any loving or intimate expression can make your intimate life full. If you don’t have a partner, self-stimulation -- aka masturbation -- is a healthy, satisfying route to reap the many benefits of sex.

Guide to Pancreatic Cancer

 

What It Is

Pancreatic cancer happens when malignant (cancerous) cells grow, divide, and spread in the pancreas. The pancreas is a 6-inch-long, spongy, tube-shaped organ located in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It has two major jobs in the body: to make digestive juices (called enzymes) that help break down food, and to make hormones -- including insulin -- that control the body's use of sugars and starches.

In the Headlines

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and actor Patrick Swayze are among those who have died of pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms

People often don’t have symptoms in the early stages of this disease. But as the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may worsen after you eat or lie down. Other symptoms may include jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and depression.

Survival Rates: What to Know

Because doctors rarely find pancreatic cancer in its early stages when it’s easiest to treat, it’s one of the most deadly cancers. About 9% of people with pancreatic cancer live at least 5 years after diagnosis. But the 5-year survival rate is much better -- 34% -- if it hasn’t spread past the pancreas. Know that survival rates can’t predict what will happen to any single person and may not reflect newer types of treatment.

Causes

Experts don’t know the exact cause of pancreatic cancer. Certain gene mutations can cause it. Other risk factors include smoking, age (it’s usually diagnosed in people older than 45), diabetes, chronic pancreatitis due to a genetic mutation, liver cirrhosis, family history of the condition, gender (it’s more common in men than women), obesity, certain chemicals, and race. (African Americans have a slightly higher risk than whites; experts don’t know why.)

Diagnosis

It can be hard to find this disease early on. A doctor may not see or feel a small tumor during a routine exam. To help make the diagnosis, you may get imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan. The green area shown in this CT scan appears to be cancer in the pancreas and liver. These studies also help your doctor choose the most appropriate treatment. For a diagnosis, you’ll get a biopsy, in which your doctor uses a needle or does an operation to take a bit of tissue from the tumor for testing.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the tumor can cure the cancer if it hasn’t spread past the pancreas. Your surgeon will keep as much of the normal pancreas intact as possible. Unfortunately, with pancreatic cancer, the cancerous cells usually have spread past the pancreas by the time of diagnosis. If the tumor is too large to remove, a different type of surgery might be an option. The goal would be to help ease some of the symptoms and prevent certain problems related to the size of the cancerous mass.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered radiation to kill cancer cells. For pancreatic cancer, you’d likely get it 5 days a week for several weeks. This schedule helps to protect normal tissue by spreading out the total dose of radiation. Radiation is also being studied as a way to kill cancer cells that stay in the area after surgery. Radiation therapy can help relieve pain or digestive problems caused by large tumors.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells and stop them from growing or multiplying. It may involve one drug or a combination of drugs. You may get it by mouth or by injection. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body, making chemotherapy a good choice for cancer that has spread. You may also get it after surgery to kill any cancer cells left behind.

Targeted Therapy

These medications attack specific parts of the cancer cells. Targeted therapies seem to have fewer side effects than chemotherapy and are less harmful to normal cells. Doctors can use a targeted therapy called erlotinib (Tarceva) along with chemo to treat advanced pancreatic cancer. Side effects can include a rash, diarrhea, appetite loss, and fatigue.

Immunotherapy

This type of treatment uses your immune system to fight disease. For pancreatic cancer, doctors can use pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to block a protein called PD-1 so that the immune system can attack the cancer. Side effects can include fatigue, skin problems, joint pain, and gut problems (constipation, diarrhea, and nausea). More serious side effects can happen if the immune system starts to attack the body itself.

Palliative Care

Palliative therapy is used to ease symptoms and manage pain in any stage of the disease. You can get it along with other medical treatments. The goal is to improve quality of life not just in the body, but in the mind and spirit. While palliative therapies are clearly appropriate at the very advanced stages of the disease, they also help when given along with other treatments that target  the cancer.

Get Support

There are many resources to help you and your loved ones as you manage your pancreatic cancer, including these organizations:

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network helpline: 877-435-8650

• American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345

• Cancer Care: 800-813-HOPE (4673)

Can You Prevent Pancreatic Cancer?

While there’s no way to prevent all cases, you can take action against the risk factors you can control. The American Cancer Society’s tips:

• If you smoke, quit now.

• Get to a healthy weight and be physically active.

• Eat a healthy diet, focusing especially on plant foods.

• If you drink alcohol, keep it moderate. Heavy drinking may be a risk factor.

What to Expect in Your 70s

 

Is This Normal?

The way you grow older is specific to you. Lifestyle, among other things, can play a role in the process. But some changes in your 70s are universal, because they’re the result of the way your body works. Experts sometimes call this “pure aging.” These shifts happen in everyone who lives long enough. You can’t avoid them, but you can prepare if you know what to expect.

Your Mind

Parts of your brain shrink as you get older, and signaling between different areas can slow. That means you may have trouble remembering names or coming up with a specific word. It may be harder for you to multitask and pay attention. If that makes you concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, don’t worry -- these are normal changes. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia cause much more severe trouble with memory and everyday tasks.

Your Heart

As you age, your heart can’t beat as fast during exercise or when you’re stressed. As its walls get thicker and its valves get stiffer, blood may not flow through as efficiently. The heart’s electrical system may start to glitch, which can cause an irregular heartbeat. The most common problem is artery plaque buildup. But you can lower your risk of trouble with healthy habits, such as exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and not smoking.

Your Skin

Age spots and wrinkles are no surprise, but you may also find that you bruise more and sweat less. Your skin may be drier and more paper-like. It might be itchy and more easily irritated, too. It can help to switch to gentler soap and use moisturizer and sunscreen regularly. You might also try a humidifier.

Nutrition

Your metabolism slows as you age. You may need to cut calories to prevent weight gain. On the other hand, some people find that they don’t get as hungry or thirsty as they used to. As you eat less, choose foods that pack more nutrients into fewer calories, such as fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Changes in your body could leave you short of vitamins D and B12, so you might need supplements, too.

Your Bones, Joints, and Muscles

About 1 in 4 women -- and some men, too -- over 65 have osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. Your muscles get weaker, and the tendons -- which connect muscles to your skeleton -- get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. In your 70s, you might lose an inch or two off your height as disks in your back flatten. Exercise, especially the weight-bearing kind, can help prevent these changes and may even reverse them.

Your Sleep

When you’re older, you spend less time each night in deep sleep and more in lighter phases. You might wake up more and have trouble going back to sleep. Insomnia can be an issue in your 70s, especially for women. You might also find yourself falling asleep and waking earlier. Despite the changes to your sleep patterns, you still need 7-8 hours a night. Do what you can to keep good sleep habits, and talk to your doctor about any troubles.

Your Immune System

Your body’s defenses lose a step in your 70s, which leaves you more vulnerable to illness. Vaccines don’t work as well as they once did for you, but because you’re susceptible to infection and viruses, it’s still important to get shots for flu, pneumonia, and shingles. On the plus side, allergies are less severe and autoimmune disorders are rare at this age.

Your Digestive System

Your stomach lining is more fragile, which raises your odds of having ulcers. That’s especially true if you take a lot of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Perhaps the most common problem at this age is constipation. Part of the reason is that your digestive system doesn’t move food through quite as well as before. Medications and lack of exercise may also play a role.

Your Urinary Tract

Your bladder can’t hold as much as it once did, and your muscles that support it have lost some strength. They might also squeeze when you don’t really need to go, which leads to an overactive bladder. All these things can send you to the bathroom more often. Many women in their 70s have trouble with urine leaking. Prostate trouble, which affects many men this age, can cause trouble going, too.

Your Sexuality

Research suggests that more people in their 70s today are sexually active than in previous eras. But there may be more challenges. You and your partner might have vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction, as well as other health problems. Body image and stress can play a role, too. But you don’t have to give up on sex. Talk with your partner about what’s enjoyable, and ask your doctor for help with any medical issues that affect sex.

Your Vision

Your pupils react more slowly to changes in light, because your eye muscles are a bit weaker. You’ll need more time to adjust when you move between the indoors and bright sunlight. Some fine details are hard pick out, because there are fewer cells to send messages about what you see back to your brain. The lens gets thicker and more yellow, which makes it hard to see in dim lighting and makes colors less vibrant.

Your Ears

About one-third of people ages 65-74 have hearing loss, and about half of those over 75 do. High-pitched sounds are especially hard to make out, and that makes it hard to understand what others are saying. You may be able to figure out the vowels but not the consonants. Background noise also can interfere more with your conversations. If you find it harder to hear everyday sounds, talk to your doctor about things that can help.

Steps You Can Take

You can’t turn back the clock, but there are a lot of ways to stay healthy in your 70s. Diet and exercise are important. Monitor your health, especially when it comes to watching for problems like cancer and heart disease. Stay active socially, and challenge yourself mentally -- they will help fight mental decline. And talk to your doctor about changes in vision, hearing, digestion, and other issues so you can keep thriving with age.

Ways to Wreck Your Sleep

 

Drink Coffee After Dinner

It’s the caffeine. It was perfect with that apple pie. But at 3 a.m. when you’re still awake? Not so much. Caffeine lurks in lots of places like tea, chocolate, soda, and energy drinks.

Drink Alcohol

A “nightcap” is the perfect way to end the evening, right? Wrong. Alcohol messes with deep sleep, which is important for restfulness, memory, and other things your brain does. It can make you drowsy enough to fall asleep, but it often wakes you up just a few hours later.

Surf the Web

Artificial light at night can be bad for sleep. But the “blue light” on smartphones and computers is particularly bad -- televisions, too. Shut down bright screens 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to get your body ready for snoozing.

Take a Nap

It's a great way to catch up on a little shut-eye. But if you take one after 3 p.m., it might affect you later on. So, no naps and no coffee. A splash of cold water on your face or a brisk walk can get you moving again.

Turn Up the Heat

You’ve probably noticed it’s harder to fall asleep when it’s hot. But did you know it can hurt your sleep quality, too? High humidity can make it even worse. Like so many other good things in life, if you want to get good rest, you gotta stay cool.

Eat Close to Bedtime

A little bit is probably fine. But a big meal or snack can supercharge your metabolism and speed up your brain, which could lead to indigestion and even nightmares. But it doesn’t affect everyone the same way. If you’re a midnight snacker, keep a diary of what happens when you eat late to see if it bothers you.

Take Certain Medications

If you’re supposed to take meds before bed, you should. But some prescription drugs can keep you from getting quality sleep, and some over-the-counter medications are loaded with stimulants. Check with your doctor about what you’re taking and when before you change or stop any medication.

Skip Exercise

Exercise is usually good for your sleep. It can boost your mood, lessen anxiety, and wind you down at bedtime. It also helps set a regular pattern of going to sleep and waking up around the same time each day (circadian rhythm).

Exercise Around Bedtime

Though exercise is good for your sleep, exercising too close to bedtime can ruin it. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but if that sounds like you, try to finish up your workout at least 3 hours before you go to bed.

Ignore Mental Health Issues

You’re more likely to have sleep problems if you have untreated mental health issues. It might be a condition like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. Or it could be a difficult period in your life, like losing your job or partner. Whatever the cause, talk therapy, medication, or both might help. Ask your doctor what’s best for you.

Worry

Did I take the trash out? Did I feed the dog? Is it my turn to do carpool tomorrow? Thinking about these things can keep you up at night. Writing a to-do list before you lie down might help. It can ease your mind and make it easier to fall asleep. Keeping a pen and notepad next to your bed can be helpful if you think of something in the middle of the night.

Argue After Dinner

Difficult or angry discussions late at night can trigger hormones that keep you up. Save tough talks for daylight hours, and try a soothing evening routine. Read a book or listen to calming music. A hot bath or shower or some light stretching exercises might also help you wind down.

Drink Too Much Water

You want to drink enough to stay hydrated, but not so much that it interrupts your sleep with repeated bathroom breaks. That’s why it’s best to spread the amount of water you drink over the course of the day. Don’t try to guzzle it all down before bed.

Sleep In

It may seem like a good way to catch up on rest, but it doesn’t do much to make up for lost sleep. It can mess with your normal cycle of going to bed and waking up. Keep regular hours, and you’ll probably snooze better and longer.

Guide to Ulcerative Colitis

 

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

It's a type of bowel disease that causes long-term inflammation of the cells that line your rectum and colon (also called the large intestine). This may  lead to sores called ulcers that can bleed and keep your body from digesting food like it should. You can take medicine to calm the inflammation and learn ways to ease its effects on your daily life.

Warning Sign: Abdominal Pain

A belly ache and diarrhea with blood or pus in it could be warning signs of ulcerative colitis. Some people have mild symptoms every once in a while, but others have worse symptoms more often.

Warning Sign: Weight Loss

The long-term inflammation that comes with UC can cause digestive problems. These could lead to:

• Weight loss

• Poor appetite

• Nausea 

• Lack of growth in children

Other Warning Signs

Some people with ulcerative colitis have symptoms outside the digestive system. These may include:

• Joint pain

• Skin sores

• Fatigue

• Anemia (low red blood cell count)

• Frequent fevers

Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's?

Ulcerative colitis symptoms are similar to those of another inflammatory bowel condition called Crohn's disease. UC only affects your large intestine. But Crohn's can happen anywhere in your digestive tract. It can cause symptoms from your mouth to your anus. Another disease called irritable bowel syndrome can cause long-term belly pain and diarrhea, but it doesn't lead to inflammation or sores in your intestines.

What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?

The exact cause isn't clear. But researchers think your immune system -- which defends you from germs -- is involved. When you have UC, your immune system may not react like it should to bacteria in your digestive tract. Doctors aren't sure whether this triggers the condition or results from it. Stress and your diet can make your symptoms worse, but they don't cause ulcerative colitis.

Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis

To diagnose ulcerative colitis, your doctor will do a colonoscopy. They’ll insert a tiny camera into your rectum to get an up-close look at the inside of your colon. This helps them spot inflammation or ulcers in the area. A colonoscopy can also help your doctor rule out other conditions like Crohn's disease and cancer.

Do UC Symptoms Go Away?

Your UC symptoms will come and go. The disease can go into remission, which means you may have no symptoms for long periods of time. Remission can last for months or years, but the symptoms will return.

Medications for Ulcerative Colitis

Medications can calm the inflammation inside your colon. The first one you’ll usually try is from a group called aminosalicylates. If that doesn't help, your doctor might prescribe a steroid like prednisone. A third option is an immune modifier, which lowers inflammation by changing the activity of your immune system. It can take up to 3 months before you feel the benefits.

Biologic Therapies

If other medicines don’t help, your doctor may suggest one of a group of medications called biologics. They help your body destroy proteins linked to inflammation. You usually get them in an IV. Another type of treatment is JAK inhibitors, which travel quickly through your bloodstream to block inflammation. You’ll take these as a pill.

Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis

Up to 45% of people with ulcerative colitis will need surgery, either to repair a tear or remove a severely damaged colon. Your UC won't come back after the surgeon removes your colon. Newer surgical techniques mean you may not need a colostomy bag to get rid of waste.

Urgent Care for Ulcerative Colitis

The disease can sometimes cause problems that send you to the hospital. These may include a bleeding ulcer or severe diarrhea that causes dehydration. If this happens to you, doctors will stop the loss of blood and other fluids. If there’s a tear in your colon, you may need surgery to fix it.

Ulcerative Colitis and Colon Cancer

Your risk for colon cancer goes up if you have UC. It depends on how much of your colon is involved and how serious it is. The odds also rise after you've had UC for 8-10 years -- and they go up over time. Treatment that puts your UC in remission may also make cancer less likely. Colonoscopy screening helps doctors find colon cancer early, when it's easier to treat.

• Use websites and cellphone apps to find restrooms in airports, train stations, or other large venues ahead of time.

• Carry extra underwear and wet wipes.

• Bring enough medication to last the entire trip, along with copies of your prescriptions.

• Tell your doctor about your plans to see if you need to take other precautions.

Other Health Problems

Some people with ulcerative colitis get conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, kidney stones, and eye problems such as uveitis. It’s rare, but UC can also lead to liver disease. Researchers think these problems result from the widespread inflammation. They may improve when you treat your UC.

Living With UC: Reducing Flares

Triggers like stress, smoking, missing doses of medication, and eating certain foods can make your symptoms worse. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid them. If flares continue, talk to your doctor about a change in your treatment plan.

Living With UC: Diet Changes

Diet doesn't cause ulcerative colitis, but some foods may make your symptoms worse. Common ones include dairy, fatty foods, and foods with too much fiber, which can trigger diarrhea. It can help to keep a journal of what you eat and any symptoms you have. Look for links and avoid triggers. If you lose a lot of weight, you may need to work with a dietitian to come up with a healthy diet.

Living With UC: Supplements

Ulcerative colitis often causes bleeding in your colon, which can lead to a shortage of iron in your body. Some medications you take to treat UC can affect the way your body absorbs nutrients like folic acid and calcium. Ask your doctor if you need to take supplements.

Living With UC: Probiotics

These "friendly" bacteria are similar to those that live in your intestine and prevent the growth of too many harmful bacteria. We need more research to know if probiotics can help with ulcerative colitis. You can find probiotics in some yogurts, milk, tempeh, and soy beverages. Or you can buy them as supplements.

Living With UC: Staying Hydrated

Long-term diarrhea puts you at risk of dehydration, which can lead to weakness and kidney problems. To stay hydrated, drink plenty of water. Check with your doctor to see how much fluid you need. 

Living With UC: Relationships

You don't have to let ulcerative colitis get in the way of intimacy. Talk to your partner about how your symptoms affect you and any concerns you have. You might want to see a therapist who specializes in long-term illness. Talk to your doctor if sexual problems become an issue.

Living With UC: Travel

With a little extra planning, most people with ulcerative colitis can travel comfortably. Follow these steps:

• Use websites and cellphone apps to find restrooms in airports, train stations, or other large venues ahead of time.

• Carry extra underwear and wet wipes.

• Bring enough medication to last the entire trip, along with copies of your prescriptions.

• Tell your doctor about your plans to see if you need to take other precautions.