Information about ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a continual inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects above half a million Americans and approximately one hundred thousand men and women in the UK.
It brings about long-term inflammation and ulcers (open lesions) in the innermost clleular layers of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. The irritation will be anywhere from a few inches in size to the length of the entire intestine. The ulcers develop wherever inflammation has destroyed the cells that normally line the colon. They bleed and produce pus and mucus and the irritation triggers the colon to empty very often, leading to diarrhea (among the signs of this ailment).
Ulcerative colitis is much like Crohn’s disease (another IBD), but Crohn’s can develop just about anywhere in the digestive system (including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus and stomach), oftentimes in patches, and can disperse further into the tissue. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis is usually limited to the deepest levels of tissue and is uniform through the entire colon.
That said, ulcerative colitis is a systemic disease that can affect lots of other parts of the body outside the intestine, especially when not treated sensibly. For instance, the illness is also linked with joint disease, eye infections, liver disease, skin rashes, blood clots and gallstones.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (which is a distinct disease), is sometimes referred to as spastic colitis. This label often brings about confusion between the two diseases. Colitis isn’t necessarily a feature of IBS. Since the etiology of IBS is currently undiscovered and perhaps multifactorial, there can be some overlap in symptoms between IBS and the various forms of colitis.
Some causes of ulcerative colitis
While researchers have yet to confirm a single explanation for ulcerative colitis, results indicate that hereditary factors, a malfunction of the immune system, the excessive use of antibiotics, eating habits and yet to be understood environmental factors all play a role in the causes and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
One particular hypothesis suggests that some agent, likely a virus or an atypical bacterium, interacts with the body’s immune system to cause an inflammatory reaction in the colon wall.
Reports have indicated that a person with one parent who’s (or has had) colitis is 5x more prone to develop the illness themselves.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is in many cases painful and (on rare occasions) can have life-threatening complications. Cases of toxic megacolon or intense internal bleeding due to an extraordinarily severe flare-up can be life-threatening, which is the reason surgery is performed swiftly if these conditions develop.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are like many other intestinal disorders and IBDs. Clinical diagnosis is typically by colonoscopy. Other sorts of medical tests include blood counts and c-reactive proteins.
Those living with ulcerative colitis experience many different symptoms including bloody stool, sudden urgency, tummy pain, cramps and nausea. The most notorious sign of the disease in active phases is diarrhea mixed with blood. However, if the disease is restricted to the rectosigmoidal area, then stools may be normal or dry – there may even be constipation. Usually, rectal mucus accompanies stools or occurs between bowel motions.
Dealing with ulcerative colitis
Normally, ulcerative colitis is a chronic, life-long illness, characterised by instances of few symptoms (called remission) and periods of very active disease (called flare-ups). Seeing that there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, the primary purpose in treating ulcerative colitis is to manage severe flare ups of the disease and to preserve remission, while enabling the colon to clear up.
Different people try to cope with the disease in numerous different ways, e.g. through pills and surgery. Others opt for (or are in a position to take up) less drastic measures, such as sound modifications in diet and supporting nutritional supplements. The sort of treatment often depends on how serious the illness is.
However, without appropriate treatment and/or lifestyle changes (for example avoiding foodstuffs which are known to irritate symptoms), the condition can become depleting and (occasionally) life-threatening.
Diet
Ulcerative colitis is more prevalent in the developed world, which makes it more likely that diet has a key role to play in the development and endurance of the illness. Individuals who suffer from the ailment are therefore normally advised to steer clear of food products which are processed and/or are high in saturated fats and sugar, which can aggravate diarrhea and gas symptoms, specifically in times of active disease. People who experience cramping and diarrhoea may also gain some respite by reduction of caffeine, fruits and certain vegetables.
Dietary modification is often utilised to mitigate the symptoms of the disease relatively successfully. It’s interesting to note that many people with ulcerative colitis are also intolerant to lactose. As a result, eliminating lactose containing foods might help to ease the symptoms.
Another dietary approach that has been used by numerous people is an anti-fungal and specific carbohydrate diet. Probiotics and bacterial re-colonization of friendly bacteria in the colon have also been seen to have a favourable effect on of those that have ulcerative colitis. The use of probiotics can be particularly useful in terms of encouraging maintenance of colon health in times of remission.
If dietary and lifestyle changes lead to a restricted diet, it is very important prevent malnutrition (which regularly comes about with ulcerative colitis). Individuals with the illness very often experience reduced appetite and weight loss. Supplements (especially gluten, sugar and dairy free meal replacements) can assist, by supplying a source of fortified nutrients, which will not aggravate the colon and are taken easily and quickly.
Specialist Supplements Ltd has a comprehensive range of top quality health foods, organic products and food form supplements, which 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.