Frequent Toilet Visits Due to Ulcerative Colitis: Once Experienced Up to 20 Trips Per Day
Reborn from the Depths: Daniela Soto's Journey with Ulcerative Colitis
Meet Daniela Soto, a vivacious 25-year-old resident of LA. At the tender age of 21, she was struck with ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease that can wreak havoc in the large intestine. Dani's story, as told to health writer Theresa Tamkins, paints a vivid picture of the battle she continues to wage against her unseen adversary.
During her senior year of college, Dani began experiencing unsettling symptoms. She noticed blood in her stool, which seemed unusual, prompting her to seek medical attention. Initially, her doctor attributed her woes to hemorrhoids, but the bleeding didn't abate. Subsequently, Dani was plagued by stomach pain, akin to menstrual cramps, and frequent bouts of diarrhea. Alarmingly, she lost an alarming 10 pounds in just a few weeks.
Her doctor, initially bemused by her symptoms, eventually referred her to a gastroenterologist. However, this was during the pandemic, and many specialists were overwhelmed with patients. After a grueling search, Dani finally found a gastroenterologist who could see her the following day. Upon recounting her symptoms, the doctor scheduled a colonoscopy and an endoscopy to confirm her diagnosis. Dani's circumstances reveal the importance of swift medical assistance, especially during challenging times.
The exams confirmed Dani's suspicions; she had ulcerative colitis and ulcers on her right colon. She was prescribed mesalamine, a medication that comes in both pills and a liquid enema form. Dani took the pills gladly but found the enema a cordial but necessary inconvenience. She had to apply the medication every night, ensuring it remained in her colon for eight hours to heal the ulcers.
Despite having a medical team on her side, Dani struggled to find dietary guidance. So, she sought help from a naturopath, who suggested modifying her diet to avoid gluten, dairy, raw veggies, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and other irritating substances for her GI tract. He also advocated cooking on iron skillets, as people with UC often suffer from severe anemia. This lifestyle switch proved impactful, bringing Dani immense improvement in her health.
Sadly, flares still strike Dani unpredictably. During the most severe episode, she dropped down to a staggering 90 pounds. The physical and emotional toll of her condition has taken its toll on her mental well-being. Dani recalls the challenges of public outings, even experiencing an embarrassing incident at a Bath & Body Works store.
Despite these hardships, Dani has discovered a silver lining. After battling her condition for years, she's found strength and shifted her focus from a career in law to a holistic health coach and yoga instructor. While her UC diagnosis initially caused feelings of despair and helplessness, Dani now views it as a transformative catalyst in her life.
Dani's tale serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In a weird twist of fate, her UC diagnosis has led her to explore the holistic wellness world, a path she might never have embarked upon otherwise. Overall, her experience highlights the importance of understanding and managing UC triggers, engaging in effective coping strategies, and embracing a holistic approach to heal, thrive, and reclaim control over one's life.
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Further Reading:
- The 8 Questions You Should Ask After an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis
- Decoding the Strange Scents: Why Does Your Poop Smell So Bad?
- The 8 Possible Reasons Behind Bright Red Blood in Your Stool - And When to Seek Medical Attention
Enrichment Data:
- Dani's experience exemplifies the risk of UC flares, which can be triggered by various factors, such as diet, stress, medications, and infections.
- Dietary factors that may contribute to UC flares include high-fiber foods, gluten, spicy foods, sugary foods, medicine sensitivities, and certain specific foods.
- Trigger avoidance, stress management (e.g., mindfulness, counseling, support groups), medication adherence, and regular medical monitoring can help manage and reduce UC flares' frequency and severity.
- A tailored, holistic approach, incorporating diet, stress reduction, and lifestyle modifications, is crucial for effective UC management.
- Dani's battle with ulcerative colitis (UC) has led her to a newfound focus on health and wellness.
- In her journey, she discovered the importance of managing UC triggers to reduce flare-ups.
- Stress management techniques like mindfulness and counseling have played a significant role in Dani's UC management.
- She emphasizes the value of support groups for people dealing with chronic conditions like UC.
- Dani's experiences underscore the significance of medication adherence in managing UC.
- Regular medical monitoring is crucial for effective UC management, as learned by Dani.
- In addition to traditional treatments, Dani has explored alternative therapies to complement her UC management.
- Changes in her diet, such as avoiding gluten, dairy, and processed foods, have significantly improved Dani's UC symptoms.
- Dani's story underscores the need forholistic approach in managing chronic diseases like UC.
- The severity of her UC has also impacted Dani's mental health, causing periods of anxiety and depression.
- In seeking help for her mental health, Dani discovered the power of yoga and meditation in alleviating stress.
- Dani's life-changing journey has led her to specialize in fitness and exercise, advocating for a healthy lifestyle as a holistic health coach.
- Her experiences have sparked an interest in sexual health and its connection to overall wellbeing.
- Dani has also become more aware of the importance of men's health, stressing the need for regular check-ups and screenings.
- Skin care has become an essential part of Dani's wellness regime, focusing on natural, non-toxic products.
- Following her UC diagnosis, weight management has become a priority for Dani, to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Dani's journey with migraines and neurological disorders has led her to explore the potential benefits of CBD oil in managing these conditions.
