Ulcerative Colitis Emergency Action Plan

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Severe Symptoms

• Severe abdominal pain that doesn't improve
• High fever (over 101.5°F/38.6°C)
• Severe rectal bleeding or passing large amounts of blood
• Severe diarrhea (more than 6 stools per day)
• Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth)
• Inability to keep food or liquids down

Emergency Contact Information

Keep These Numbers Ready:

1. Gastroenterologist: [Insert Number]
2. Primary Care Physician: [Insert Number]
3. Local Emergency Room: [Insert Number]
4. Emergency Services: 911

Preparation Steps

Medical Information to Keep Available

• Current medication list
• Allergies
• Recent lab results
• Insurance information
• Medical history summary

Emergency Kit Contents

• Extra medication supply
• Oral rehydration solutions
• Anti-diarrheal medication (if approved by your doctor)
• Insurance cards
• List of emergency contacts

Prevention Strategies

Daily Monitoring

• Track symptoms in a diary
• Monitor bowel movements
• Record any new symptoms
• Note medication adherence

Warning Signs

• Increasing frequency of bowel movements
• Worsening abdominal pain
• New or increased bleeding
• Decreased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss

After-Hours Care Instructions

1. Call your gastroenterologist's office first
2. Use the after-hours service if available
3. Go to the ER if symptoms are severe and you can't reach your doctor
4. Bring your medication list and medical history

Follow-Up Care

• Schedule a follow-up appointment after any emergency
• Update your care plan as needed
• Review medication adjustments with your doctor
• Document the emergency episode for future reference