Ulcerative colitis – what a pain!

About ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a continual inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects over 500,000 Americans and around 100,000 individuals in the United Kingdom.

It involves chronic inflammation and ulcers (open blisters) in the deepest layers of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. The swelling can be anywhere from a few inches in length to the length of the whole intestine. The ulcers develop wherever inflammatory reaction has damaged the cells that usually line the colon. They bleed and give off pus and mucous and the inflammatory reaction triggers the colon to empty frequently, triggering diarrhea (one of many indications of this ailment).

Ulcerative colitis is much like Crohn’s disease (a different IBD), but Crohn’s can be seen just about anywhere in the digestive tract (including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus and stomach), commonly in patches, and can disperse more deeply into the tissue. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis is usually confined to the innermost levels of tissue and is consistent through the colon.

With that in mind, ulcerative colitis is a systemic disease which can impact some other parts of the body beyond the intestine, specifically if not managed sensibly. For instance, the condition is also linked with joint disease, eye infections, liver disease, skin rashes, blood clots and gallstones.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (which is a different disease), is sometimes called spastic colitis. This title often brings about confusion between the two diseases. Colitis is not always a feature of IBS. Since the etiology of IBS is presently unidentified and possibly multifactorial, there can be some overlap in symptoms between IBS and the many forms of colitis.

Potential causes of ulcerative colitis

Despite the fact that researchers have yet to reveal a single reason for ulcerative colitis, results indicate that hereditary factors, a malfunction of the immune system, the excessive use of antibiotics, diet and yet to be understood environmental factors all play a role in the causes and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

One hypothesis suggests that some agent, maybe a virus or an atypical bacterium, interacts with the body’s immune system to provoke an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall.

Studies have indicated that any person with one parent who’s got (or has had) colitis is 5 times more likely to get the disorder themselves.

Indications of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is usually unpleasant and (on rare occasions) can have life-threatening complications. Cases of toxic megacolon or intense internal bleeding due to an especially severe flare-up might be life-threatening, which is the reason surgery is undertaken swiftly if these circumstances take place.

Regrettably, it can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms can be like a number of other intestinal disorders and IBDs. Medical diagnosis is typically through colonoscopy. Some other investigations include blood counts and c-reactive proteins.

Men and women coping with ulcerative colitis tend to go through many different symptoms including bloody stool, sudden urgency, abdomen pain, cramps and a feeling of sickness. The primary sign of the illness in active phases is diarrhea mixed with blood. Although, if the disease is limited to the rectosigmoidal area, then stools may be normal or dry – there may even be constipation. Oftentimes, rectal mucus accompanies stools or occurs between bowel movements.

Ways to live with ulcerative colitis

Usually, ulcerative colitis is a chronic, life-long illness, characterised by stretches of few symptoms (also known as remission) and intervals of very active disease (referred to as flare-ups). Seeing that there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, the main objective in treating ulcerative colitis is to handle acute flare ups of the disease and to preserve remission, while providing time for the colon to clear up.

People attempt to manage the condition in numerous different ways, e.g. through drugs and surgical treatment. Others prefer (or are in a position to take up) less drastic measures, such as appropriate changes in eating habits and supporting nutritional supplements. The sort of treatment often depends on how severe the ailment is.

However, without appropriate treatment and/or lifestyle changes (for example keeping away from foodstuffs that are known to magnify symptoms), the condition may become incapacitating and (on rare occasions) life-threatening.

Food intake

Ulcerative colitis is more common in the developed world, which makes it more likely that diet has a key role to play in the development and staying power of the condition. Those who have problems with the illness are thus usually recommended to stay away from foodstuffs that are processed and/or are high in saturated fats and sugar, which can exacerbate diarrhoea and gas symptoms, especially during periods of active disease. Those people who experience cramping and diarrhoea might also obtain some relief by reduction of caffeine, fruits and certain vegetables.

Dietary modification can often be utilised to mitigate the symptoms of the disease relatively successfully. It is interesting to note that many people with ulcerative colitis are also lactose intolerant. Therefore, eliminating lactose containing foods might help to ease the symptoms.

A different dietary approach that’s been utilised by many people is an anti-fungal and specific carbohydrate diet. Probiotics and bacterial re-colonization of friendly bacteria in the colon have also been known to have a beneficial effect on people that have ulcerative colitis. The use of probiotics can be especially helpful in terms of promoting maintenance of bowel health in periods of remission.

If dietary and lifestyle adjustments result in a constrained diet, it’s very important to ward off malnutrition (which occasionally develops with ulcerative colitis). Individuals with the illness commonly experience diminished appetite and weight loss. Supplements (in particular gluten, sugar and dairy free meal replacements) can support a restricted diet, by supplying a source of fortified nourishment, that won’t inflame the colon and are taken easily and quickly.

Specialist Supplements Ltd has a wide selection of high quality health foods, organic products and food form supplements, that are designed to be easily absorbed by the body. Within their digestive health range, they have:

• colon cleansers
• digestive system support supplements
• high strength probiotics
• nutrients-fortified meal replacement powders, which are dairy, sugar, wheat, yeast and gluten free
• and cleanse and detox support supplements.

Check them out by clicking on any of the links above!

*Always consult your doctor or a qualified health practitioner before altering your diet or taking health supplements, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications. 

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