Ulcerative Colitis Information

Not just a seasoning, Ginger Root is also a very good choice to battle illness and its symptoms. This potent root protects the stomach and is beneficial in dealing with digestive tract issues, cleansing the colon. In treating stomach upsets, it is actually powerful enough to alleviate the nausea of chemotherapy patients and mild enough to relieve morning sickness connected with pregnancy or intestinal colic in babies. Whether it's diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting or motion sickness, Ginger is a powerful remedy.

Ginger decreases spasms and cramping, so that it is an effective treatment for muscle pain along with the discomfort related to menstruation. A circulatory stimulant, it can help alleviate poor circulation.

An anti-inflammatory, herbalists recommend Ginger Root to aid with the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Ginger has been beneficial in managing the symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. Studies suggest that this herb could lower cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots. Other research has concluded that ginger may also have anticancer properties.

A powerful antioxidant, effective antimicrobial and an anti-viral: Ginger Root helps fight pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses. These qualities also make it an effective addition to poultices for the treatment of wounds and skin irritations.

Taken internally, this herb helps safeguard the liver and detoxify the kidneys while moving excess toxins out of your body. It's typically used to treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches and other pains.

It isn't unexpected that this herb is utilized in many vintage herbal tonics and cleansing herbal blends. In our household, we like to put it to use in a tea at the earliest sign of sinus congestion and enjoy the taste it adds to stir fry meals. Search for ways to incorporate this advantageous herb in your daily living today.

GINGER DECONGESTANT TEA

Mince a Tbsp each of ginger root and fresh garlic, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey for flavor.

Place ingredients inside a mug and add 8 ounces of boiling water. Cover, and let sit for ten minutes. Strain this through a sieve and drink the liquid.

LIVER TONIC SMOOTHIE

To be taken upon rising, before eating breakfast.

Whirl these ingredients in your blender until smooth. Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

* a whole inch fresh ginger, minced
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
* one clove of garlic
* two Tbsp apple cider vinegar
* one apple, chopped small
* one half small beet, diced
* 1 stick celery, chopped small
* a few sprigs of parsley, chopped small
* a whole cup filtered water

The apple cider vinegar facilitates the emulsification of the oil and water. Garlic will lose its effectiveness once it is cut. Therefore, it's best to drink this tonic before it separates.

If you want to heighten the impact of this tonic, raise the number of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the number of garlic cloves over the span of a few days. For the second day utilize two tablespoons of olive oil and 2 cloves, on the 3rd day use three tablespoons and three cloves, and so forth, but don't exceed 5 tablespoons and cloves.

Blend and enjoy!

NOTE: This text presents ideas and information intended to enrich the reader. This is not presented instead of sound medical advice. The ideas and viewpoints conveyed are that of the author and fallible. It's the obligation of the reader to reach his own conclusions and be knowledgeable.

It's distressing to realize, but many people don't consider preventative medicine options until it's too late. We might shrug off a lesion or irregular bleeding as something that will go away on its own, but there is always the possibility anomalies like these could be signs of something dire. The push to have tests and procedures done isn't necessarily a plot to drain your bank account, but a gesture to allow you peace of mind that you are healthy and will be for years to come. Getting a colonoscopy to check for possible cancers and other ailments is a good step in maintaining good health.

Who Needs a Colonoscopy?

If you have never before had a colon cancer screening, it's important to note how soon you should schedule an exam. Rule of thumb dictates that a good candidate for early detection should:

• Have had a history of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease in his/her family - an immediate relative


• Have had another type of cancer in the past, or has had colon cancer


• Be fifty years or older and have not yet had one


• Have problems with irregular bleeding from the colon, blood in the stool, or difficulty with bowel movements

Consult with a Specialist

If you fall into any of the above categories, you should seriously consider setting up a consultation with a gastroenterologist or other specialist to determine if an exam is needed. If you are over fifty and have had a colonoscopy in the past, talk to your doctor about how often you should be checked going forward.

The more you listen to your body and know your medical history, the better you can arrange for preventative care.

Chronic colitis is also known as ulcerative colitis. It is usually blamed on autoimmunity, which is the process where the body's immune system mistakenly interprets otherwise good elements as invaders and attacks them.

Warning signs

One of the most evident symptoms you may encounter when you have chronic colitis is diarrhea that is accompanied by pain in your abdomen.

You may have to visit the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day due to diarrhea attacks that may contain mucous, bloody purulent and tenesmus. The pain in your abdomen is usually at the left, middle or lower portion. In more severe cases, you may also experience fever, nausea, loss of weight, anemia, edema, and others. You may also experience colon spasms and deformity, and your mucosal folds may become disordered.

Simple cures

There are simple treatments you can do for yourself at home to relieve your chronic colitis. You can give your body lot of clear fluid like water, lemonade, light lemon tea, and light soup. Consume at least eight to 10 glasses of water to prevent dehydration.

As your condition progresses, start to take low-fiber foods. Do not take in greasy or fatty foods. Do not eat raw, cold or deep-fried foods. Remember to eat regular meals and avoid overeating or drinking too much at meals. Avoid mental stress and never overstrain yourself.

Contact your doctor immediately if a sudden change in your bowel routine occurs. Also see a doctor when there is blood in your stool, if you experience continuous diarrhea for 3 days, or if you feel severe abdominal or rectal pain. You should also see a physician as soon as you can when you are unable to urinate. If someone who shared food with you is starting to display your symptoms, bring that person to a doctor, too.

What does your bowel have to do with arthritis, chronic disease, immune disorders, and other maladies? In my view, the most remarkable phenomenon in the entire field of human biology is this: A vast number of clinical problems that are seemingly unrelated to the bowel spontaneously resolve when the focus of clinical management turns to managing the bowel back to health!

In my experience I have found problems of extreme fatigue, mood swings, arthralgia (pain and stiffness in joints with or without joint swelling) resolve when the bowel issues are addressed? How often do we successfully prevent chronic headache; anxiety; palpitations; incapacitating PMS; recurrent attacks of vaginitis; asthma and skin lesions by correcting the abnormalities in the internal environment of the bowel?

Physicians who have learned to respect the bowel - as the ancients did - and care for their patients with a sharp focus on bowel issues will readily validate my personal (and fairly extensive) clinical experience.

The Bowel and the Immune System
Our immune defenses exist as plants in the soil of the bowel contents. The ancients seemed to have known this intuitively. I remember that the hakim (folk-doctor) in my village always prescribed laxatives for a headache. He prescribed remedies that seemed to work on the bowel for problems of the skin, joints, liver and other organs. Of course, I, then a medical school student, found it very amusing. It never occurred to me then why these folk-doctors would prescribe year after year remedies that couldn't work.

More important, from my present perspective, I never wondered why people accepted those remedies year after year if they afforded no relief. I was into the science of medicine then. I wasn't into finding out what worked and what didn't. Nor did I ever doubt the science of my professors who doled out prescriptions for drugs by the dozens for sheer symptom suppression. That was then. And that was poor Pakistan. Now I question the science of an average American family practitioner when he prescribes drugs for chronic bowel symptoms. How scientific is his use of antacids for symptoms of burning or pain in the pit of the stomach? How scientific is his use of antispasmodic drugs for abdominal cramps?

How scientific is his use of antidiarrheal drugs for diarrhea? How scientific is his use of steroids for inflammatory bowel disorders? Steroids suppress the immune system. How scientific is it to further suppress the immune system for problems caused by an errant immune system in the first place? How scientific is the use of anti-inflammatory agents, anxiolytic drugs, antidepressants, antispastic agents, antihistamines, and, of course, broad-spectrum antibiotics for treating various types of bowel disorders that we - by our own admission - do not understand the causes of?

The Universe of the Bowel
For many years I have studied a host of clinical syndromes in which the symptom- complexes can be related to events occurring in the bowel. As a hospital pathologist, I have had the opportunity to examine more than 11,000 bowel biopsies.

Every time I peered at a bit of bowel through a microscope and saw inflammation - colitis in common jargon - I wondered where and how it might have started. We pathologists know quite a bit about how a damaged bowel looks, but we know little, if anything, about the initial energetic-molecular events that set the stage for tissue damage. What is the cause of ulcerative colitis? Pathologists will tell you it is not known. What is the cause of Crohn's colitis? The answer: unknown. What is the cause of irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colitis? Unknown. What is the cause of microscopic colitis and collagenous colitis? The answer is the same.

Why is it that we do not know the cause of any of these types of colitis? The reason is we search for answers in the damaged structure after the fact rather than in the events preceding the damage. None of these "diseases" can be understood except with ecologic thinking - a Bowel Ecosystem - Bowel Ecology.

LAPs AND TAPs: THE GOOD AND BAD GUYS OF THE BOWEL
LAPs and TAPs are my abbreviations for lactic acid-producing and toxic agents- producing microbes in the bowel. LAPs preserve the normal bowel ecosystem, TAPs disrupt it.

LAPs confer many important host defenses upon the bowel. TAPs are equally versatile in their functions and produce a very large number of noxious substances in the bowel. Not unexpectedly, LAPs-TAPs dynamics are profoundly influenced by food choices.

Bacteria are living beings capable of executing an enormous number of biochemical reactions. Farmers used bacteria and fungi to turn compost into fertilizer long before biologists understood the metabolism of these single-celled bodies. A partial list of such reactions brought about by the normal bowel flora includes production of ammonia, conversion of amino acids into amines and phenols, inactivation of digestive enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin and other enzymes located on the surface of cells lining the gut, deconjugation of hormones such as estrogen and bile acids, denaturation of bile steroids, breakdown of food flavonoids, hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in food, utilization of certain amino acids such as B12, conversion of some compounds into carcinogens, and many other enzymatic reactions.

LAPs:

First and foremost, LAPs keep TAPs out. It appears that this essential role is played through different mechanisms that include simple physical crowding out of the potential pathogens as well as production of antimicrobial substances. L. acidophilus produces acidophilin, acidolin and bacterlocin; L. plantartium produces lactolin; L. bulgaricus produces bulgarican; and L. brevis secretes lactobacillin.

Second, they produce many life span molecules. Notable among them are members of the vitamin B complex, especially folic acid and biotin and vitamin K. Lactobacillic acid is an important fatty acid that is produced by some lactic-acid producers and is then converted into essential fatty acids. Another notable molecule in this context is tryptophan - this is likely to be one of the mechanisms by which yogurt has been reported to be beneficial in cases of chronic anxiety and other conditions.

Third, they play a pivotal role in digestion. Lactose intolerance is a very common clinical problem. It is often not fully appreciated that a major portion of lactose ingested in dairy products is actually broken down to simpler sugar by lactase enzymes produced by lactic acid producers. Lactic acid and lactase producers also play important roles in protein digestion. This is one of the primary reasons protein intolerance is so common among individuals with altered states of bowel ecology.

Fourth, LAPs actively break down some toxins produced during metabolism such as ammonia, free phenols and polypeptides.

Fifth, LAPs normalize bowel transit time and are effective in controlling infant and adult diarrhea.

Sixth, the antiviral and antifungal roles played by LAPs, having long been empirically suspected by nutritionists and holistic physicians, have recently been documented with research studies.

Seventh, the cholesterol-lowering effects of fermented milk have been attributed, among other mechanisms, to orotic acid, which facilitates fat metabolism in the liver.

RESTORATION OF BOWEL ECOLOGY
Disruptions of bowel ecology can be arrested and reversed only with a gardener's sense of tending to the soil, nurturing the plants, and respect for the sunshine. That, of course, is the theme of this chapter. The sun-related factors - chronic anger, hostility, conflict, and a sense of being a victim - both slow down the bowel transit time and significantly reduce perfusion in different parts of the alimentary tract. Those anatomically-mediated responses, of course, form the core of the so-called stress response

The Seed-Feed-and-Occasionally-Weed Approach to Restoration of Bowel Ecology
Seeding is the repopulation of the gut with microflora that have been destroyed by indiscriminate use of antibiotics or crowded out by the unrestrained proliferation of yeast and bacterial organisms such as the Proteus and Pseudomonas species.

The "guardian angel bacteria" for bowel ecology belong to the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Some other species also play protective roles. In health, these organisms provide the necessary counterbalance to the growth of yeast and pathogenic bacterial organisms. Beyond this, these organisms produce several molecules that play critical roles in our molecular defense systems.

Feeding is the use of some growth factors that the normal bowel flora require to flourish. These include biotin, pantetheine, Vitamin B12 and others. We clinicians have used Vitamin B12 for decades with good clinical results. One of the principal mechanisms by which vitamin B12 exerts its myriad beneficial effects is by serving as a "growth hormone" for health-preserving bowel flora

Occasional weeding is the use of several natural substances that are known to suppress the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts. During initial treatment, I frequently use oral nystatin or fluoconazole (Diflucan) for short periods of two to three weeks, partly for diagnostic and partly for therapeutic reasons (how a person with one of the ABE states responds to these agents is useful in assessing the degree of damage to bowel ecology). Extensive clinical experience has convinced me that long-term clinical results are far superior when the use of drugs is kept to a minimum.

Simple-minded efforts to "get rid of the yeast" with nystatin and "yeast- free diets" usually yield poor long-term results. Cold hands are associated with "cold bowel." Cold hands and cold bowel are the result of oxidatively-damaged thyroid enzymes (underactive thyroid gland), oxidatively-damaged autonomic nerve cells and fibers (dysautonomia) or an oxidatively-overdriven adrenalin gland. None of these problems can be effectively managed with yeast-free diets and Nystatin. Of course, there are other essential issues of nutrition, environment, food and mold allergy, and fitness. In the management of battered bowel ecosystems, it is essential to consider the biologic individuality of the patient. It is necessary to adopt an integrated, long-term approach that addresses all relevant issues of bowel flora and parasites, bowel transit time, bowel ischemic patterns, IgE-mediated disorders related to candida and other yeast antigens, malabsorptive dysfunctions, and secondary systemic consequences.

Physicians who are not familiar with natural therapies for managing chronic bowel and gastric disorders are in for a pleasant surprise. A very large number of effective natural agents are available to them. Extensive clinical experience has convinced me that for nonlife-threatening, chronic disorders, natural therapies are far superior to the huge array of drugs that are foisted upon us.

Following are important consideration in integrative management of chronic gastric and bowel disorders:

First, all patients should be offered standard drug therapies for acute disorders when any question exists about impending clinical crises or risk of serious complications.

Second, all patients managed with natural agents should be prepared for slow and sustained recovery over weeks and months. It is my practice not to wean my patients off drugs prescribed by other physicians. Rather, my clinical strategy is to go for gentle restoration of bowel and gastric ecologies. The patients sense clinical improvement within several days or some weeks. It is at this time that they ask me if they should begin to reduce the dose of drugs they are taking, and I am only too happy to provide guidance on how to do so gradually.

Third, all patients are required to attend a full-day workshop in which I give detailed information about the devastating impact of internal and external environments on our biology. In addition, nutrition and exercise classes are given by the nursing staff at the institute.

Fourth, all patients must be managed with an overarching philosophy of holistic molecular relatedness in human biology. I repeat this essential point several times at the risk of offending the reader because it is the very essence of the new medicine that the problems of the 21st century call for.

Fifth, and this is of critical importance for the general reader, a self-help approach to health requires guidance from a knowledgeable professional. Safety first. This is the first principle of molecular medicine as it must be for all other types of medicine.

Sometimes, when you are passing stool, you can see streaks of blood in the stool or the tissue paper. Spotting blood like this can be quite an alarming sight for anyone. The presence of blood in stool could be for various reasons, and they generally point towards rectal bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding. It's time to head towards your physician's office if you see blood like this. Ignorance can complicate the matter even further. Ask yourself - can blood in stool cause other problems? Sure they can. Excessive blood loss can lead to weakness, fatigue, and even anemia.

What is the cause of blood in stool? There is more than one factor that can cause rectal bleeding. Let's look at the more important ones among them one by one.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is one of the main reasons that can cause the appearance of blood with stool. A condition which causes the intestines or the stomach to become inflamed, Gastroenteritis can also cause nausea, abdominal pain, weakness, and diarrhea that could possibly contain blood.

Internal Bleeding

Internal Bleeding refers to the bleeding of blood vessels inside the body. Apart from being a blood in stool cause, it may also lead to weakness, dizziness, and stomach pain. The person might also become unconscious due to internal bleeding. The main causes for internal bleeding are bleeding ulcers, tears to the stomach or intestines and trauma.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid can also lead to bloody stools. Hemorrhoids are a medical condition in which the patient suffers from swelling in the blood vessels around the anus and hence experiences severe pain and discomfort while sitting or passing stool. Hemorrhoids are of two kinds - internal and external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can also cause a number of other symptoms, such as anal swelling and itching, pain and discomfort.

Anal Fissures

Anal fissure refer to a torn anal which causes bright red blood in stool. Patients also complain to have blood on the toilet tissue and underwear. Anal fissure leads to severe pain and discomfort in any activity that requires anal movement or puts pressure on the anus, such as passing stools, bending over or lifting something heavy.

Ulcerative Colitis

Patients suffering from Ulcerative colitis have ulcers and inflammation in their rectum and colon. This is a chronic disease of the lower digestive tract which can cause rectal bleeding or blood, mucus or pus while passing your stool. Such patients may also experience water and blood in diarrhea, high fever, stomach pain, nausea, and dehydration. Symptoms like passing foul smelling stools, loss of appetite, skin lesions, and joint pain can also be associated with Ulcerative colitis.

Krill oil is derived from krill and is similar to fish oil. Krill are small shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the cold depths of the ocean and although they are very small, they make up the largest animal biomass on the planet. Both krill and fish oils contain the complete essential fatty acids, omega 3 fats, EPA and DHA.

Krill oil contains astanxanthin, which is a key benefit. Astanxanthin is an excellent antioxidant that helps increase the ORAC potency of this oil to 48 times that of fish oil and helps protect you against ultraviolet light. The omega 3 fats found in krill oil are in the phospholipid form whereas fish oil is in the triglyceride form. Since the fat cells in your cell walls are in the phospholipid form, this makes krill oil much more absorbable

So why should we consume krill oil or even fish oil?

Our intake of Omega 6 fats and Omega 3 fats averages around 20:1 with 20 being omega 6 fats. Since the ideal ratio of omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats is 1:1, we consume too few Omega 3 fats and way too many Omega 6 fats. This can mean a serious danger to your health.

We consume vegetable oils every day, which are all packed with omega 6 fats, such as corn, safflower and sunflower oil. This is one of the reasons we are consuming so many omega 6 fats.

The belief of many scientists is that inflammation, sensitivity to pain and thickening of the blood can be triggered when we consume large quantities of omega 6 fats.

If you have prolonged inflammation or chronic inflammation, there can be an extraordinary change in the type of cells that are at the site which can cause the tissue to simultaneously try to both heal and destroy itself.

Many different proteins are susceptible to genetic mutation during the inflammation process which can impair the normal function of that protein.

This chronic inflammation may cause Crohn's disease, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and many other diseases.

It has been found through research of scientific studies that you may reduce your incidence of inflammatory disease by increasing your essential fatty acids so that your ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 is equal.

In A Perfect World

It is a fact that the majority of our fish supply is heavily contaminated with pollutants, heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins. So while it would be great to increase our omega 3 fatty acid consumption through fish, unfortunately the toxins make it difficult to do.

Fish oil supplements can become rancid quickly as they are very perishable, therefore, you would need to take extra antioxidants. The upside to consuming krill oil supplements is that it has 48 times the antioxidant potency as traditional fish oil so the risk of rancidity is not the same.

There are many benefits for a variety of health issues such as anti-aging, protection of cell membranes, healthy cholesterol levels, healthy liver function, relief of normal PMS symptoms, boost to your immune system and other issues, when consuming krill oil.

Many studies have been published concerning this oil and complete essential fatty acids.

Two grams per day of an oil, either krill (supplement), fish (supplement), or a control (olive oil) were randomly given to 76 overweight and obese men and women in a double blind parallel arm trial for 4 weeks in one of the studies.

Scientists found that after 4 weeks, the levels of EPA and DHA concentrations significantly increased with the participants consuming the krill oil supplements than with those consuming the fish oil supplements or the control.

The result was that at the end of the treatment, the EPA concentration on average was higher in the krill oil participants when compared with the fish oil participants. Therefore, what we have seen is that the quantities of EPA and DHA in these oils is absorbed equally as well whether it is from fish or krill.

It has been proven through another study that HDL cholesterol which is the good cholesterol improved 44% with Neptune Krill Oil and only a 4.2% improvement was seen in fish oil. Conversely LDL cholesterol which is your bad cholesterol decreased 32% with Neptune Krill Oil and only a 2% reduction was seen in normal fish oil. So what this tells us is that krill oil was more effective than fish oil in improving cholesterol levels.

We need to get the ratio of Omega 6 fats equal with the Omega 3 Fats. These studies make it very clear that we need to specifically be consuming complete essential fatty acids and more omega 3 fats.

Always look at the quality when choosing any supplement. Unfortunately due to the potential risks of toxins, we cannot rely on normal fish consumption for essential fatty acids, so we are left with omega 3 supplements.

Since krill oil is becoming more and more popular, you will find many other types of krill oil released that may not be of the same quality as Neptune krill oil (NKO) so be sure to purchase a quality supplement.

The harvesting of the Neptune type is in cold waters far away from potential pollutants and is in compliance with international fishing standards To provide an essential fatty acid oil free of contaminants such as heavy metals and PCBs, the biological benefits of this essential fatty acid are preserved through a cold extraction method. We will see continued research showing the benefit of krill oil supplements over fish oil supplements. Choose the high quality Neptune Krill Oil.

Ulcerative colitis is a common chronic long-term disease that causes inflammation of the colon. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that has some similarity to Crohn's disease, in that both conditions are characterised by inflammation, which is not caused by infection.

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis are unpleasant and usually occur when the patient is having a flare up, however they can usually be treated through a number of different ways including medication and a change of diet. Though if the symptoms are severe enough for medication to be ineffective, surgery may be required to remove the affected portion of the colon. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis usually include rectal bleeding and diarrhea, however there is a wide range of symptoms among patients with this disease.

As diarrhea is a common symptom, patients may also feel an urgency to have a bowel movement and can have diarrhea up to 10 to 20 times a day. This urge can be so desperate that it may wake a patient up at night. Rectal bleeding is caused by the ulcers located in bowel, which are disturbed by feces when it passes through the colon. When the ulcers are disturbed, they expel blood therefore causing the bloody diarrhea and mucus; this may also cause the patient to have rectal pain.

Due to constant diarrhea, other symptoms may appear including growth failure, dehydration, anemia and joint pain. Growth failure and dehydration occurs when the patient has a lack of nutrients and fluids in their body; this is usually caused by the persistent diarrhea. Anemia only occurs when there is blood within the feces that is being expelled, thus leading to a low iron count. This can be treated through taking iron tablets and eating red meat.

It's also important to note that the patient's stomach may feel tender and be sore when touched; this is due to the ulcers. A doctor will usually test to see if the stomach is tender during a checkup as a way to assess the severity of the sores. Although ulcerative colitis is incurable, doctors are able to control and keep these symptoms away through the use of steroids and anti-inflammatory medication. Steroids are effective for inducing remission, however are tapered down after the disease is in remission.

Also, it's extremely important to know when to see your doctor. If you experience a persistent change in your bowel habits or if you have any of the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including,
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Ongoing bouts of diarrhea that don't respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• An unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two
Then it is imperative that you see your doctor as soon as possible.

For more information on ulcerative colitis including causes, diet, pregnancy, risk factors and treatment, please visit Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms and more.

Ulcerative colitis is a concern for both male and female sufferers in the quest to become pregnant. This chronic inflammatory bowel disease is more of a problem in women, as it can reduce ovulation and the malnutrition and weight loss which accompanies the condition, can indirectly impair the chances of conception. There is also a higher risk of iron deficiency and infections with the disease when active. Previous surgery to treat this disorder may result in lowered fertility as a result of abdominal organ scarring.

An increase in symptoms of u. colitis may be experienced in both the first trimester and shortly after birth, both probably related to hormone changes. There is a higher risk of having a premature baby and even a small chance of increasing the likelihood of birth defects, so wherever possible, women should go off their ulcerative colitis medication during pregnancy.

Flare ups during pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, but fortunately most ulcerative colitis medication (corticosteroids sulphasalazine and salazosulphadimidine) is not contra indicated for pregnancy. Methotrexate and Thalidomide, both immunosuppressive drugs, are completely banned for pregnancy usage and treatment with them is only prescribed in conjunction with rigorous birth control.

For a full list of what medication is safe and what isn't when trying to conceive and when pregnant, please consult a medical specialist.

In men, malnutrition may impact on fertility and some of the ingredients in prescribed sulfa medication (e.g. sulfasalazine) may alter sperm and cause lower sperm motility and sperm count. It is important to get the disease into remission or to go off this medication temporarily, before trying to impregnate your partner. Sperm return to normal within two months of not taking the sulfa component in ulcerative colitis medication.

Other medication is also available e.g. olsalazine and mesalamine as well as corticosteroids which may prove as effective as sulfasalazine but without the negative effects on sperm production and quality.

Apart from ulcerative colitis medication, much can be done to maintain and improve the disorder with a diet tailored to your allergies and food sensitivities, and the reduction of stress and anxiety in your life.you can relate to and confide in. Support groups whether on or offline are also really helpful for suggestions which worked for others.

Aloe Vera is a popular plant that is used for many medicinal purposes. It is originally discovered in North Africa and grows in arid climate. There are many uses for this amazing plant and is used for thousands of years by the Egyptians. If you can, try to grow the plant in your backyard so that you have a fresh supply of it when you need it.

Here are the many uses of this brilliant plant:

1. It accelerates healing rate. If you get a cut or a blister, apply this on top of the wound and you will notice that it will heal quickly.

2. Eating Aloe Vera will increase your blood glucose level if you have diabetes. However, it is best to consult a physician first before you try this.

3. Decreases lipid levels in your body and helps prevents cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes.

4. Decreases inflammation and symptoms with people who are suffering from ulcerative colitis.

5. Treatment of some STD (sexually transmitted disease) like genital herpes.

6. As a skin and face moisturizer. If you have baby oil, apply a bit of the plant inside and this would help to moisturize the skin.

7. Give fast relief if you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or heartburn.

8. Many of the soaps and shampoo have the extract of the plant in them. You can usually smell of it when you it on your body.

9. Strengthens your immune system and helps fights infections.

When you have digestive problems, it's easy to become dependent on over-the-counter drugs. I've had many patients come to me for help breaking their antacid habit.

If you feel like you're a slave to antacids, I have a solution for you that I bet you haven't thought of before. Many people with chronic digestive issues find lasting relief by drinking wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass juice is an all-natural, very nutritious way to relieve your indigestion pain.

Nature's Own Healing Agent

Wheatgrass is a cousin of the wheat we grow for flour. Its technical name is agropyron. When it's still young, wheatgrass looks pretty much like grass. The juice from wheatgrass is incredibly nutritious. From vitamins and minerals to amino acids and enzymes, this juice contains many things that can enhance your digestion and your general health.

Wheatgrass juice has been touted to cure everything from male pattern baldness to anemia to bad breath. It's been purported to prevent cancer and enhance weight loss. Despite some outlandish claims, many benefits of wheatgrass juice are very real. The digestive benefits, in particular, are backed up by good research.

Proven Relief From Your Indigestion

Wheatgrass juice is a good source vitamin B, amino acids and enzymes. Each of these helps promote healthy digestion. Whether you have constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, or other stomach problems, drinking this juice each day can provide quick and lasting relief.

In one study, patients with ulcerative colitis were given either 3 ounces of wheatgrass juice each day or a placebo. Those receiving the wheatgrass juice saw significant improvements in their symptoms. They had less pain and discomfort and experienced less rectal bleeding.

It's the high level of enzymes in this juice that helps improve digestion by causing your body to properly break down foods and absorb nutrients. Enzymes are essential to good digestion. Unfortunately, the average American diet is deficient in enzymes. A daily serving of wheatgrass juice can bring your own enzyme levels back into balance and that can do wonders for your digestion.

The high chlorophyll content of wheatgrass juice also helps promote good digestion. Chlorophyll which is valued for its detoxifying effects, works by removing toxins from the blood and by supporting good liver function. Most importantly for your digestion, it helps to cleanse your bowels. When your bowels are clean, they work better, and you'll notice less gas, bloating, and discomfort after eating.

Where to Find Wheatgrass Juice

You can get wheatgrass juice from juice bars, health food stores, or you can grow your own.

At juice bars, you can get this juice that is mixed into a tasty smoothie. This is an easy way to benefit, but it can get expensive if you're trying to drink it every day.

If you have a green thumb and a juicer at home, you can grow and juice your own wheatgrass. This grows quickly. It sprouts and is ready to juice within one to two weeks. Growing your own wheatgrass is the cheapest way to get all the benefits of this amazing food... and you'll be certain about the freshness and ingredients used to raise your own.

Personally, I prefer a quick visit to my local health food store, which carries this juice. This "middle ground" solution lets me enjoy the benefits of this juice without the trouble of tending the plants. Because you only need two to three ounces a day of juice a quart easily lasts me three weeks, making it a cost-effective option as well.

I do want to note one more thing about using wheatgrass juice. Most people don't enjoy the taste. I use my blender to mix the the juice with a variety of fruit juices. This masks the flavor without interfering with any of the benefits.

Wheatgrass juice is a great supplement, especially for digestive disorders. Whether you get a smoothie made to order or juice your own, you're sure to enjoy the digestive benefits of this juice.