What can be done to help colitis?

If you are experiencing failing health, dehydration, rapid weight loss, and loss of appetite, you might be suffering from colitis. This is a condition where the bowels become inflamed. However, it doesn’t stop there. Colitis infects the digestive tract and leads to the inflammation of the large intestines, colon, and reaches down to the rectum.

Ulcerative colitis can be quite serious, even though it is fast becoming very common owing to our changing food habits. Ulcerative colitis is preceded by stool with blood and mucus in it. There is also abdominal pain that can be severe or can come in pangs. Most people suffering from colitis even experience diarrhea. The attacks of colitis come in cycles and may even be accompanied with severe fatigue and medium to high fever.

If you have colitis, your digestive system does not function properly. The water, vitamins, and minerals are not properly absorbed in your digestive tract. This is what leads to the loss in appetite and the ill-health. You will also experience weight loss because of the condition.

In its acute stage, the colitis can also affect your skin, eyes, and also your joints. Ulcerative colitis can also be associated with various other diseases. Irritable bowel syndrome can also be caused because of ulcerative colitis.

Along with medical care, there are home remedies that can be used to treat and prevent further continuation of ulcerative colitis. Ingesting fish oil or olive oil can really cause great improvement in the colitis which is mild to medium in nature. Cod liver oil has good amounts of vitamin D that facilitates the integration of calcium in the body. Cod liver oil also reduces the severity of the condition and ensures that it doesn’t recur. It also boosts the immune system.

Hemp can also be used to treat ulcerative colitis. The oil of hemp has anti inflammatory properties and should be ingested daily. The initial dose can be just one spoon, which can be increased over a period of time until relief is felt.

Get yourself some ultra fine green clay. Applying it on your stomach soothes the inflammation and ceases the diarrhea. You can also drink juice of barley grass. Even though this might not provide you any relief from your symptoms in the initial stages of your ailment, ingesting it in the second month after you’ve been diagnosed can restore your bowel by supplying it nutrients that are valuable for the digestive tract.

answered by G M

Colitis is a chronic digestive disease and that affects the tissue lining the gastrointestinal system. An inflamed colon is the result of this disease and is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients who experience this disorder usually suffer from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. The disease can get quite debilitative and if left untreated can lead to grievous complications. The disease is distinguished when the innermost lining of the colon and rectum get inflamed. Modern medicine, unfortunately, has no sure cure for colitis but there are various types of treatments available that can help to dramatically cut down the painful symptoms of the disease and can also induce a relatively long remission.

Depending on the intensity of inflammation and where it occurs, the symptoms of colitis can differ. On these grounds, medical experts often categorize the disease according to its location.

Doctors are not yet sure about the reasons for colitis, but there's an agreement in the judgment and opinion reached by medical community that stress is no longer the main culprit or trigger for the disease, although stress is likely to exacerbate the symptoms.

The main aim of treatment for colitis is to cut back the incidence of inflammation that sparks off the symptoms. In most cases, the right medication can help in controlling symptoms, but in some cases doctors recommend if medication fails or the possibility of colon cancer arises. Medical therapy for colitis is largely dependent upon the location and severity of the disorder, the number of complexities involved and the patient's reaction to medicinal drugs. When the condition worsens, doctors usually put the patients on fluid replacement therapy and electrolytes due to the essential fluids lost in diarrhea.

A number of support groups have sprung up to help people with colitis feel more in control about the disease and understand from each other how to live a fuller life, even with the condition. You could ask your doctor or nutritionist to help you locate such groups. Support groups tend to provide valuable information about the disease and also offer emotional backing. As a member you will learn about the latest medical therapies for the condition and understand the role of collective therapies.

Still others find it useful to confer with a psychologist or psychiatrist who can help them cope with the emotional difficulties that the disease can cause. Experiencing colitis can be disheartening, but the prospects of understanding various therapies today is far more better than it was a few years ago.

answered by G M

Colitis is a complex condition that may be caused by a variety of factors. So, it is important to address all the potential causes. Naturopathic medicine is very successful in addressing these types of chronic conditions --diet and appropriate healing supplements, as well as mental/emotional therapies can really help manage this condition. There is no "quick fix", but there are very effective long term solutions. Seek the advice of a trained health care practitioner to help you develop a good treatment plan.http://www.countrydoc.com

Dr. Karen Benton, Naturopathic Physician

answered by Dr K B N

Warning: home-remedies-for-you.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. see additional information

For a personalized answer - Ask Your Question