Ulcerative Colitis Information

The effects of being diagnosed with then having to endure living with colitis should never be underestimated. Yet there are a large number of people who are also affected by colitis, namely family or friends that care for the sufferer. It can be challenging, both emotionally and physically caring for someone with colitis and having an understanding of what happens can be invaluable.

Colitis is a chronic illness of the large colon where inflammation can develop and create symptoms of severe abdominal pain, bleeding, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, depression plus the side effects of the various medications that can be prescribed. Thankfully the symptoms are not always present, giving respite to the sufferer and their carer, yet even during these periods of remission there still has to be a watchful eye on how life is lived in order not to unintentionally provoke the disease from its benign slumber.

One of the key factors that can be forgotten for getting through a flare up is the necessity to have as much rest as can be possible. This will mean that the sufferer will be required to take time off from work, in fact they should really withdraw from the usual activities of daily life and that will mean they require assistance. There can be a temptation to do little jobs around the house or go out shopping, especially if the symptom are not severe, yet this should be avoided. Yes, there will always be things that require to be done, but it is for someone else to ensure that they are, in fact, done. Rest means rest by trying to eliminate as much physical movement as possible. Necessities such as the preparation of food, running errands should be left to the person caring for the sufferer.

Activities like driving should be avoided and thus the sufferer may need assistance getting to the doctor or hospital. Actually, when the symptoms grow in strength, all travel should be avoided. When the symptoms are strong, the sufferer will undoubtedly require to remain in bed for longer periods yet it is still beneficial to have them out of the bed for a short period of time. This may require assistance as will perhaps dressing, bathing and walking. For the carer, it can be helpful to imagine that those living with colitis, and who have strong symptoms, are experiencing many of the challenges that old age also brings and to give assistance in the same way that you would an old person. This is particularly true in relation to the physical challenges faced when enduring a colitis flare up.

In addition, there has to be consideration to any side effects that may arise as a result of medication taken, such with the use of steroids. They can create psychological changes in the form of mood swings and depression and therefore the personality of the person that you know so well may subtlety change during the course of the flare up.

It is important to give as much emotional support to them and reassure them that whilst the flare up has happened, it will slowly regress and a path to health will not be far away. It is invaluable to help the sufferer to focus on what requires to be done to get through the worst of the flare up and give them reassurance that they do have adequate support when it matters through their challenge of living with colitis.

Bloody (not the expletive) pertinently depicts bowel movement bleeding. Down the legs and into the toilet bowl, bright red drops of blood drip. Red blood oozes from the surface of stools. Toilet tissue may be stained by scarlet red blood. Our hearts may skip a beat in alarm. What is going on?

There is no need to be unduly alarmed yet as the hemorrhaging (technical jargon for bleeding) may be the result of any one of 6 likely reasons. As annoying as they are to our daily lives, most of the 6 causes are not severe and treatable if approached correctly. Nevertheless, complacency is not wise. Monitor closely. If bleeding persists more than a week, accompanied by pain, visit a medical doctor right away.

A proper diagnosis will identify the exact cause so that correct treatment can be administered to solve the problem. More alarmingly, bowel movement bleeding may be the consequence of some form of cancer.

Melena or Hematochezia

Rectal bleeding is referred to medically as melena (tarry or sticky black colored stools) or hematochezia (maroon colored or bright red blood). Termed as rectal because the bleeding exits the body via the rectum, the 6 causes are proctitis, anorectal fistulae, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids.

Proctitis

Proctitis is medically listed in the IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) group which includes the small intestine and the colon or large intestine. Inflammation by itself is a positive bodily reaction to heal wounded tissue. Inflammation is a double-edged sword, triggering off healing of wounded tissue but causing tissue weakening if left unfettered. Ulcers cause proctitis in the rectum by eroding the mucous membrane lining.

Among other symptoms, bowel movement bleeding is a common encounter. The elimination of proctitis as the cause of rectal bleeding is critical as at an advanced stage, the rectum can become perforated.

Anorectal Fistulae

Between two or more unconnected internal organs, an anorectal fistula is a passageway that cuts right through. It can continue all the way until it reaches the surface of nearby skin. An anorectal fissure has its opening at the anal surface. The discharge of urine and stools via this fistula is not unheard of.

The leading causes of anorectal fistulae are inflammatory bowel diseases, chiefly Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis. Apart from infection pus, bowel movement bleeding is also one of the symptoms.

Fistulae must be accurately diagnosed as it can be due to peritonitis (abdominal lining inflammation) which can be life-threatening. Surgery and antibiotic therapy are usual treatment methods following tracing of the fistula's complete path.

Anal Fissures

Fissure or tear, they mean the same thing. Undue physical strain during constipation usually result in an anal fissure, a tear around the opening of the anus. Hassle-free bowel motion is contingent upon the external and internal anal sphincter muscles being in a relaxed state. Fissures may worsen as they cause the internal sphincter muscle to break into bouts of spasms. A dangerous cycle develops resulting in added pain and bowel movement bleeding.

A change in diet to reduce constipation coupled with medication (lidocaine or hydrocortisone) may relieve the pain, inflammation and the harmful spasms.

Rectal Prolapse

An ancient sickness, the earliest recorded rectal prolapse was in 1500 B.C.! Afflicting largely aged women, this condition is characterised by the rectum hanging visibly out of the anus. Weakened muscles, including external and internal sphincter muscles, and ligaments fail to hold the rectum in its place.

Constant constipation, persistent diarrhea, severe pelvic floor descent and strenuous bowel movements are common attendant symptoms. Frequently, the only solution is surgery.

Internal & External Hemorrhoids

Notwithstanding the above weighty narration, it may be ironic relief that the most frequent reason for bowel movement bleeding is hemorrhoids, both internal and external.

Here is what I do if my Ulcerative Colitis Flares Up -

1. Take Probiotics in particular VSL-3 which is specifically formulated for Ulcerative Colitis. In one medical study at The University of Alberta UC patients were given 8 sachets a day for 6 weeks and this produced remission in 77% of them. Also get some Kefir Grains and make your own Kefir with Goats Milk, which is easy to do and provides you with a nourishing drink which is packed with probiotics.

2. Drink Fangocur Clay it is a clay based mineral drink which is a highly effective natural remedy for Colitis. It has been studied at the Medical University if Vienna and was found to be effective in the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. It fights inflammation of the intestinal wall and reduces diarrhoea.

3. Diet, No Sugar or Alcohol at all, Best to avoid fruit too with the possible exception of the odd banana. Chicken Stock Soup is soothing and nutritious in a flare up- the recipe is on my site Colitisrecovery.com. Avoid all grains, beans and potatoes, with the exception of rice. Eat Chicken and Fish but when you cook them only steam or boil, absolutely no frying. Vegetables are OK if well cooked, again steam them well, but avoid the really fibrous root ones like Swede, also avoid tomatoes and peppers. Avoid all dairy products, I find they make any bleeding worse - except Kefir and homemade probiotic yogurt. Don't overeat, have lots of small meals little and often is best.

4. Take these Herbs - Boswellia, Turmeric and Ashwaganda, all are very effective anti inflammatories, in one study Ashwaganda was shown to be a stronger anti inflammatory than steroids.

5. Elemental Drinks - These are a form of feeding which is completely absorbed in the small intestine, and therefore give the colon a rest whilst still providing nourishment. They have been used in medical studies to induce remission in UC as successfully as steroids. I have had Elemental 028 from my Doctor and they really help in the midst of a Flare Up. You can also get Absorb Plus on the Web.

6. Omega 3 Fish Oils are another excellent anti inflammatory; take 4g of them a day.

Once things settle down, continue with Probiotics, Omega3, and Boswellia & Turmeric. Reintroduce more foods but follow a Palaeolithic diet for autoimmunity. It is also worth having an igg antibody test for food intolerances done in case there is any food which is triggering your Colitis.

When there is constant or sharp irritation in the lining of the colon then the problem occurred is called as colitis. It mainly occurs in the large intestine or bowel. The main problem caused can be the causing of ulcer which leads to the swelling with pain which can be occurred in the top most coating in the intestine. Ulcerative colitis doesn't affect the small intestine and ileum which is the inferior part can be infected by it.

It is a kind of challenging bowel illness which can cause irritation in the colon and the small intestine.

Identification of this problem is not an easy job because all the indications which can be comparable with the intestines can be causing internal chaos and also one more type of illness which is known as Crohn's sickness. Crohn's sickness is diverse from other because it leads with causing irritation is the inner part of the intestines and also it can also make it impression in other parts of the digestive system like abdomen, mouth small intestine, and esophagus.

Reasons of Colitis: -

i. The main reason can be the problem in the genes and the disease can be more expanded if a parent or a child is suffering from this illness. According to scientists, the main reason behind this can be the hereditary structure which can be the most casual cost. All it the investigations had to be carried out then weakness can be cause in the body of a person.

There is still some doubt regarding the cause of the problem is irregularities in the impervious system. There is still some confusion in the minds of the doctors whether they can be the cause of this kind of illness or not. The main thinking of the doctors is that the main cause can be the handling the pressure or going on a dieting which are the most frequent cause in causing the ulcerative colitis and Crohn's infection.

ii. Some of the causes can be the surroundings of a person like the factors like pollution. From this reason the microorganisms of the body can be effected and hence lead to the sickness of the body. So it is preferred to stay in bacteria free surroundings.

Ulcerative colitis is the condition that causes the lining of the colon and the rectum to be chronically inflamed and develop ulcers or sores that produce pus and bleed. The most common symptoms of this inflammatory bowel disease or IBD are diarrhea containing blood and abdominal pain.

Ulcerative colitis is a serious condition that can cause many complications including some that are life-threatening. While there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis, many patients are able to manage their symptoms and sometimes experience a remission through various forms of treatment.

The Different Types and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

There are several different type of colitis that are basically categorized by the areas that are affected and each type has a slight variation on the symptoms, however, the most common symptoms associated with all forms of colitis are bleeding, diarrhea, and pain. Ulcerative proctitis is when the inflammation primarily occurs in the rectum.

Symptoms that are associated with this type of colitis include rectal bleeding, and in some cases rectal pain and difficulty emptying the bowels even when having the urge to do so. Left-sided colitis is when the inflammation occurs begins at the rectum and continues up the left side of the colon including the sigmoid and descending colon. The symptoms that occur with left-sided colitis include abdominal pain and cramping that is felt on the left side, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss that is unintentional.

When the colitis is present at the lower end of the colon or the sigmoid colon and the rectum, it is called proctosigmoiditis and causes the symptoms of abdominal pain and cramping, bloody diarrhea, and tenesmus which is the urge to have a bowel movement with the inability to pass stool or passing very little.

When the entire colon is affected by colitis this is called pancolitis and produces the symptoms of bloody diarrhea, weight loss that is significant, abdominal cramps and pain, as well as fatigue. There is also a very rare form of colitis called fulminant colitis that affects the entire colon and can cause serious complications and is a life threatening condition. Patients who suffer from this type of colitis experience severe pain and diarrhea, and sometimes become dehydrated can go into shock.

Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Unfortunately, there is no cure for ulcerative colitis and a patient will have this condition for life. Treatment for ulcerative colitis focuses on reducing the inflammation that causes the symptoms. Some individuals may experience a long-term remission of their colitis after treatment.

The first form of treatment that is typically used for colitis is anti-inflammatory medications, however, there are several different types of these drugs of which one that may work for one individual will not work for another. A patient may have to try several different types of medication before finding the one that works for them.

Medications may also be prescribed to treat other underlying medical condition or complications that may have occurred from having ulcerative colitis. Surgery may also be recommended if other forms of treatment have failed. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with colitis, it is essential that you contact your physician as soon as possible to obtain a medical evaluation in order to prevent any further damage or serious complications from occurring.

Nowadays, peptic ulcer affects more than 10% of the Americans. It is mostly caused by a bacterium (H. Pylori) and by inadequate use of medication. Peptic ulcer causes an injury upon the stomach or duodenum lining, known as gastric ulcers or duodenum ulcers.

Because of this erosion, abdominal pain and burning might occur during the night, when the stomach is empty, or two-three hours after eating. Also, nausea, vomiting, belching and indigestion might occur. These are the general symptoms of a peptic ulcer.

If you vomit blood, or see that your stool is bloody or black, call for a doctor immediately, because a complication of the peptic ulcer might have occurred. Also, an increased abdominal pain is urgency.

Peptic ulcer occurs when inside your stomach and duodenum increased levels of acid are produced. This acid injures the line of stomach and duodenum and so ulcer appears.

The level of acid inside the stomach increases because some factors interfere within its production. For example, following a treatment with NSAIDs for a long time could increase the level of produced acid inside your stomach. To prevent ulcer from occurring your current doctor will prescribe some antacids, inhibitors of the proton pump (Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, and Pantoprazole), and H2-Receptor antagonists (Famotidine, Cimetidine, Nizatidine, and Ranitidine).

Another factor that leads to ulcer is a bacterium (H. Pylori). This bacterium weakens the natural barrier that protects the lining of your stomach against the acid's action. A lot of people possess this bacterium inside their stomach but not all of them develop ulcer. This is quite an interesting thing for scientists and is still studied.

People who suffer of Zollinger - Ellison Syndrome might develop ulcer because they have tumors in the pancreas that produce a hormone called gastrin, which increases the acid production in the stomach.

Alcohol, smoking, intensive stress, radiation therapy and other direct physical injuries can also lead to an ulcer. Ulcer has even a genetic predisposition.

People who have a weakened immune system and live in unsanitary conditions are exposed to H. Pylori.

In order to diagnose the ulcer, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms, will want to know for how long have you been having them, and will inquire about your lifestyle and diet.

After that the doctor will perform a physical exam to see if there are any signs of bleeding. A blood test is also required to see if you are anemic.

If the doctor suspects a peptic ulcer has occurred he will prescribe you antacid drugs.

But if you continue to feel abdominal pain and burnings even after treatment the doctor will have to perform other investigations like: endoscopy and an upper gastrointestinal test with barium.

These tests are quite accurate in detecting H. Pylori, the bacterium which could have caused your peptic ulcer. In this case antibiotic drugs are recommended, alongside with antacid medication.

Granted, there are drugs to help in decreasing stomach acid secretion but do not seem to heal the area. Improvement seems to be temporary at best. If gastritis and stomach ulcers remain chronic, than the possibility of stomach cancer looms as a real diagnosis just as ulcerative colitis can lead to colon cancer.

Taking aloe vera helps in decreasing the stomach acid production. The stomach lining is protected from ulcers and bacteria are killed. Never mind the pain experienced by individuals plagued with ulcerative colitis or stomach ulcers.

Using aloe on a daily basis will protect the mucous membrane of the stomach. This prevents bacterial and other organisms from irritating the lining. Consistent irritation will eventually break down the lining of the stomach thus allowing the formation of painful ulcers. These ulcers start small and if the irritation is allowed to persist, will eventually turn into bleeding ulcers. With the use of aloe vera on a daily basis a remission and healing can take place, not only in the stomach area but also throughout the digestive tract. This cannot be attained merely by prescribing medicines to address chronic conditions of the colon and stomach.

Aloe has the unique ability to soothe irritations. Only by using the purest, undiluted form of aloe vera can this claim be made. The body's immune system regains peak performance and by doing so is able to turn its attention to the healing power it was designed to do. Along with healing, health becomes a distinct reality and with health is the ability to maintain a positive outlook for the future.

 Digestive diseases and disorders, such as: IBS, IBD, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, among many others are becoming an epidemic in our country. Probiotics can alleviate and even cure most of the following problems: excessive flatulence, IBS, IBD, and gastritis.

Recent scientific researches point the connection between digestive disorders and an improper balance of beneficial bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI)tract. There are good bacteria (beneficial to our health) and bad bacteria (harmful to our health when outnumbers good bacteria) living in the human guts, creating intestinal microflora. Intestinal microflora secretes enzymes and digests food. The beneficial bacteria have multiple functions in our health such as:

creating vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, K and Biotin

making essential fatty acids that feed the gut lining

helping digest food  

producing lactase to digest milk

detoxifying dangerous substances

helping remove hormone excess

crowding out harmful bacteria and fungi producing bacteriocins and anti-fungals to fight harmful bacteria

helping to maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels

increasing the number of immune cells

helping cells reproduce normally

reducing inflammatory response

stimulating cell repair mechanisms.  

When bad bacteria start to overgrow the good bacteria, we get all kind of digestive disorders described  above. Probiotics are the good bacteria, and they support the normal activity of the intestinal microflora.

There are different species and strains of bacteria. Depending on the species and strains of bacteria, they work in different parts of the human gastrointestinal tract and have different effects. Some strains of probiotics help to maintain the normal health of the intestinal lining in the small intestine which supports a healthy absorption of nutrients. Other strains reside in the large intestine where they help maintain normal elimination.

The digestive system is a complex system that can be disrupted by disease, bad diet, and emotional stress. Common digestive problems such as heartburn or GERD, IBD, and IBS cause millions of Americans to suffer daily. Digestive problems often result in symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pains, and stomach cramps. These problems pose a limit to the quality of life for people who suffer from these problems. Some digestive diseases produce symptoms that are not related to digestion, for example: anxiety or depression, fatigue, headache, unpleasant taste in the mouth, backache, sleeping problems (insomnia), sexual problems, such as pain during sex or reduced sexual desire, heart palpitations (feeling like the heart skips a beat or is fluttering), urinary symptoms (frequent or urgent need to urinate, trouble starting the urine stream, trouble emptying the bladder). Symptoms often occur after a meal, during stressful times, or during menstruation. Many of these symptoms can disappear if you find the right probiotic supplement.

There are many probiotic supplements on the market today, but as you've guessed, not all of them are equal. In order for probiotics to be effective they need to have requirements, such as:

Contain more than one strain

Contain prebiotics

Be able to survive stomach acid

Remain potency at the time of consumption  

Some brands fulfill some of these requirements, but if you want to see the results you need the probiotic product that has it all. That being said, the information above is not a substitute for consulting with a medical professional. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatment . If you would like to learn more about probiotics and their effect on your health, you can get your free report "Probiotics for Better Health" at www.healthlv.com.

Has anyone cured acid reflux? To find the answer to this one, I typed in the natural cure for acid reflux, and the answer according to many sources, is most definitely yes. There appear to be many cures for gastric reflux. These include Artemisia Asiatica or Wormwood, garlic, Vitamin U, yoghurt, acidophilus and other probiotics, amino acids and digestive enzymes, to name just a few natural cures for gerd, heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux.

A condition not a Disease

The problem with acid reflux/gerd is that its name suggests that it is a disease, which it is not. It is a condition, a very painful one and if it goes untreated, it can cause damage to the esophagus, but it does not require a cure in the normal sense of the word. Symptoms of this condition can include burping, bloating, regurgitation of food, bloating and heartburn after eating. Once you remove the cause of the symptoms, the condition is not so much of a problem.

What about the Simple Apple?

Did you know that the apple is a symbol of immortality? An apple for gastric reflux can help reduce stomach acid naturally. I usually eat a couple of slices before retiring, as bedtime is the worse time for me. You may also find it useful to raise the bed, by placing wood blocks or books under the legs at the top of the bed. This helps gravity and will keep the stomach acid down. I have also found that many with gerd use apple cider vinegar and just taking a couple of spoonfuls when the symptoms present does the trick by soothing acid reflux pain.

Apple cider vinegar is also an anti spasmodic remedy for the esophagus. It is also astringent, antiseptic, anti fungal and antibacterial.

The Apple Juice Cure

The applejuice cure for acid reflux has considerable backing from research; for example, studies in Japan established that Apple Pectin, which has both insoluble and soluble fibers, helps to sustain the intestinal balance by purging the intestinal tract. It is also advocated in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and one of the natural cures for the side effects of stomach cancer treatment.

If you have gastric reflux, vinegar, cider vinegar, or lemon juice ingested in small quantities with your meals, for example, as a salad dressing, can help stimulate normal production of enzymes and acids.

Lots of Water and Chewing Gum!

One of the most important considerations and cures for gastric reflux is water and it is important to drink at least a large bottle each day. Chewing gum after a meal can also help as it produces saliva. This being alkaline by nature, offsets the over production of stomach acid.

Bowtrol is one of the best-selling natural colon cleansing products available today. Thousands of people use Bowtrol to clean out the excess mucus and toxic fecal matter that clog up their bowels. But what are the natural herbal ingredients that make Bowtrol so effective? Let's take a look.

The dry, aged bark of the Cascara Sagrada tree has been used for over 1,000 years by Native Americans for colon cleansing. Cascara Sagrada means "sacred bark" in Spanish. The bark contains anthroquinones, organic compounds that stimulate the bowels, resulting in an evacuation 6 to 10 hours after ingestion. As an added benefit, this herb also helps restore the colon's muscle tone.

On a related note, studies are now being conducted to find out if Cascara Sagrada can help treat drug overdoses by removing the drug from the lower intestine.

Although it might seem odd, eating natural clay can prevent and alleviate many health problems. As a key ingredient in Bowtrol, Bentonite Clay is one of the most powerful natural colon cleansing substances available today and has been used by generations of native tribes around the world. When the clay mixes with water in the bowel it swells up and acts like a sponge, attracting and absorbing the toxins in colon. When it is expelled from the body it takes the toxins with it.

Slippery Elm has long been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for colon cleansing and the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. It works by coating and soothing the digestive tract. Recent studies suggest that the antioxidant properties of Slippery Elm have scientific merit in treating inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Turkey Rhubarb has been used for colon cleansing in China for over 2,000 years. Although gentle, Turkey Rhubarb can empty the bowels thoroughly. It also strengthens the gastrointestinal tract and tones and tightens bodily tissues.

Aloe Vera has been recognized since Egyptian times for it amazing restorative powers. Today, it's most commonly known as something you apply to your skin after getting a sunburn, but recent studies have shown that Aloe Vera is also a very effective laxative and colon cleanser.

Any good natural colon cleansing product will contain something to kill unwanted organisms that live in your colon. That's why Wormseed is an important part of Bowtrol. Wormseed features a crystalline substance called santonin, which poisons parasites and rapidly expels round-worms and thread-worms.

These are just some of the important ingredients contained in Bowtrol. It's worth remembering that what makes Bowtrol so powerful is not the individual herbs, but the exact way they are combined together. This is what makes Bowtrol's unique herbal formula so effective.