The Books You Need to Read If You Have UC

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If you’ve just received an ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis, you likely have a lot of questions. And even if you’ve lived with UC for many years, you know that your management plan can change over time.

That’s why it’s always helpful to have resources available when you want to learn more.

Books about UC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be great references about the conditions and treatment options.

They can offer tips and advice on how to eat for UC and manage your mental health while living with this condition — and they can remind you that you’re not alone.

The books on this list were chosen for a few reasons.

Every book is written by someone with personal or professional experience with IBD — and sometimes both!

Some cover a variety of UC questions and topics, and some deal with more specific concerns, including diet and emotional health.

We’ve included books by people who share their personal experiences, as well as a few titles for and about children and teens with IBD.

It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes published information, especially regarding treatments, can become outdated — particularly for a condition like UC, which has seen rapid improvements in treatment in recent years.

While most of the information in these books remains timely and helpful, you can visit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation website for the most up-to-date information regarding treatments and gut health research.

And, of course, talk with a healthcare professional about your individual situation to determine the best treatment options for you.

Books about personal experience with IBD

Sometimes, knowing that other people have had similar experiences can provide comfort. That’s part of the power of support groups.

Everyone’s story will be unique, but there will be shared experiences and challenges. It can be helpful to know that you’re not alone.

‘Follow your Gut: The Enormous Impact of Tiny Microbes’ by Rob Knight and Brendan Buhler

This is a quick but fascinating read, based on Rob Knight’s 2014 TED talk of the same name. It’s all about the body’s microbiome and its impact on our health.

Your gut microbiome is made up of colonies of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in and on your body. The majority live in your gut, and are known as your gut microbiome.

There’s ongoing research into how your gut microbiome is connected to your overall health, with links to mood, weight, and a variety of health conditions. There’s a small mention of IBD in the book, but otherwise, it’s an overview of gut health.

You’ll enjoy this if you want to learn more about the future of things like fecal transplants or the use of probiotics.