Your Answers
How many times do you go to the bathroom (for a bowel movement) during the day?
At night, how many times do you wake up to go to the bathroom to have a bowel movement?
How urgently do you need to get to a bathroom for a bowel movement?
How much blood do you usually see in your stool?
How would you describe how you generally feel in regard to your ulcerative colitis
(UC)?
How to Interpret Flare Activity Scores
Scores on this assessment range from zero to a maximum of 15 points.
People with a total score of 5 points or higher are probably experiencing
a flare of their ulcerative colitis symptoms.
People with a total score of 1-4 points may be experiencing a flare
of their ulcerative colitis symptoms.
People who scored 1-4 points on question 5 and 0 points on questions 1-4 may
not be experiencing a flare of their ulcerative colitis symptoms but
should talk with their doctor about their overall health.
People with a total score of 0 points may consider their UC symptoms in remission.
Only your doctor can determine if you are experiencing a UC flare.
The content provided in this self-assessment is for informational purposes only
and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Only your doctor can determine
if you are experiencing a flare related to your ulcerative colitis.
Understanding the Tool
The Just Ask About UC Flare Assessment Tool is designed to help answer questions
you may have about your ulcerative colitis symptoms. It works by helping to indicate
whether you may be having an ulcerative colitis flare. This tool was developed to
both educate and encourage people with UC to discuss their condition with their doctors.
This is important because only your doctor can determine for sure whether or not you
are having a flare. Then the two of you can work together to make sure you get treatment
that works for you.
The Just Ask About UC Flare Assessment Tool was developed based on research with
patients already diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It is adapted from the Simple
Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI).
The Just Ask About UC Flare Assessment Tool is designed for people already diagnosed
with ulcerative colitis. UC is a chronic condition with no known cure. Even if your
score indicates you may not be experiencing a flare, it does not mean that you no longer
have UC. Only your doctor can make a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or assess if you are
experiencing a flare.
If you have ulcerative colitis, you should work with your doctor to choose an appropriate
treatment option. Always make sure to follow your doctor's instructions and take
any medicine as your doctor prescribes.
Achieving Remission
The American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines confirm that relief of symptoms and
healing of the colon lining by reducing inflammation are both goals of UC treatment. This
is important, because if just the symptoms of UC are controlled, but the inflammation in
the colon continues on, those symptoms may come back. Talk with your doctor about achieving
remission and find out how treatment options that are proven to do both may be of benefit
to you.
Working with Your Doctor
One of the most important parts of any successful treatment plan for ulcerative
colitis (UC) is a good working relationship between you and your doctor. Your doctor
is responsible for providing you with complete and accurate information about your
condition and treatment. That's why it's important for your doctor to know how you
feel about your experience with UC.
There are some basic steps you can take to help make sure you are making the most
of every visit with your doctor.
- Plan ahead—write down your questions for your doctor and list all medications
you are taking, including vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter remedies
- Set your priorities—start with your most important questions and concerns
- Ask questions—and don’t leave until you are sure you understand the
answers
- Be honest with your answers—your doctor needs to know about any symptoms
you experience and if they are disrupting your routine
- Stick to your treatment—and if you’re not taking your medication as
prescribed, tell your doctor why. He or she may be able to prescribe a better option
- Follow your doctor’s advice—if you think you may forget, get it in writing
- Stay in touch—if you need help between appointments, call and talk to
your doctor’s support staff or ask if your doctor can return your call
Learn more about working with your doctor and build your own Doctor Discussion Guide
at JustAskAboutUC.com.
