Tracking Your Symptoms

To help your gastroenterologist evaluate and treat your ulcerative colitis (UC) effectively, make sure to track your symptoms daily. Some patients choose to record their symptoms in a notebook.

For each day of the week, try to take note of the following:

• The number of loose or bloody stools
• Whether you suffer from pain or cramps
• Your appetite
• Your weight

In addition, you may want to make note of the following details:

• Location of symptoms: In what part of your abdomen do you feel pain, cramps, or discomfort? Where do you experience stiffness or pain (e.g., on your feet, hands, knees, or hips)? Do you have symptoms anywhere else? Does your pain or stiffness move from one area to another?
• Frequency of symptoms: How often do you experience your symptoms (e.g., daily, weekly)? Do you have symptoms constantly or every now and then? Is there a particular time of day when your symptoms flare up (e.g., after meals, before bed)? How long do these symptoms last?
• Severity of symptoms: How bad is your pain? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, how would you rate your pain? What does the pain feel like? How would you describe it?
• Relief or aggravation of symptoms: What relieves your symptoms (e.g., resting, medicine, relaxation)? What types of treatment have worked for you before? What makes your symptoms feel worse? Do certain foods (e.g., milk, alcohol, spices) or activities set them off?

Paying close attention to your symptoms can help your gastroenterologist monitor and treat your UC. For further help characterizing your current experience with ulcerative colitis, use our online UC Control Quiz.