UC Pain & Fatigue
Managing UC Pain
Abdominal pain can happen for a variety of reasons. When it comes to UC, pain may often be related to the degree of your active inflammation.
Take note of these questions. When discussing UC pain, your doctor may want to know:
- How long have you had pain?
- How long does the pain last?
- Where specifically do you feel pain?
- What seems to trigger the abdominal pain?
- How frequent is the pain?
- What seems to help ease your pain?
- How does your pain feel, both in sensation and intensity?
- When pain occurs, does it occur after eating?
Develop Healthy Sleep Hygiene
Sleep is how your body recharges itself. There is an association between lack of sleep and risk of UC1,2.
Establish a Nighttime Routine
Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
Avoid Eating Close to Bedtime
When your body is trying to digest food, it could be harder for you to fall asleep
Talk to Your Doctor About Medications
Some UC medications (like steroids) could make sleep a bit more difficult. Let your doctor know of any issues
Find an Optimal Bedroom Setup
Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and dark
Try Different Sleep Positions
Sleeping on a different side or even on your back could make you more comfortable. Find the right pillows that help support your preferred sleeping position
Manage Your Stress
Stress can lead to sleepless nights. You may want to track your emotions and talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to find ways to cope
Shared Decision-Making
Shared decision-making (SDM) is a collaboration between you and your doctor. By working together, you can develop a care plan that balances your preferences, goals, and lifestyle with the expertise of your doctor.
Ananthakrishnan AN, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;12(11):1879-86.
Yuan S, Sun Y, Tan X, et al. Sleep duration and daytime napping in relation to incident inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2023;57(5):475-485.