How to Treat and Prevent Ulcerative Colitis Flares Naturally
OVERVIEW
It is inflammatory disease which includes colon, rectum along with a small part of small intestine. Ulcerative colitis comes under the category of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease comes under the second category of inflammatory bowel diseases. It can sometimes results in serious problems, as it is a chronic disease.
Due to changing eating habits as well as changing lifestyle, abdominal problems like- gastritis, bloating, constipation are becoming most common. These issues looks quite simple to handle but if not diagnosed or treated early may results into a disease called as “Ulcerative Colitis”. From the past few years, there is a rise in number of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. Unfortunately, according to modern medicine, it is considered as incurable disease.
It is also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which is regarded as a chronic ailment of colon. According to modern medicine, it is believed that food allergy, intake of certain medicines for a long duration, intake of antibiotics for a longer time, incompatible food, eating late nights can result in developing this disease.
According to Ayurveda
- As Ayurveda believes in curing the disease from the root, this problem has a proper solution. According to Ayurveda, it initiates with mild diarrhea then leads to stools with Ama [toxic substances] then results in constipation.
- In Ayurveda, it is also known as pittaj grahani.
Classification of Ulcerative Colitis
It is the most serious & common disorder and is classified into 3 types on the basis of severity
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
MILD– The characteristic features of mild ulcerative colitis are-
- Four or less than four stools per day
- Stools may with or without blood
- No systemic disturbances
- No change in the ESR value [erythrocyte sedimentation rate]
MODERATE- The characteristic features of moderate ulcerative colitis are-
- More than 4 stools daily
- Few systemic disturbances
SEVERE– The characteristic features of severe ulcerative colitis are-
- Not less than 6 stools daily
- Stools with blood
- More systemic disturbances like fever, anemia, tachycardia
- Greater changes in the ESR value[ erythrocyte sedimentation rate]
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Commonly the patients have ulcers in their inner lining of the colon who suffers from the ulcerative colitis shows symptoms like:
- Abdominal Pain
- Stool in blood
- Diarrhea
- Pain in rectal area
- Increase in bowel sounds
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Malnutrition [poor health]
Symptoms vary with the location of ulceration:
- When inflammation occurs in rectal along with sigmoid region then sufferers have symptoms of urgency, painful feeling during defecation, bleeding in the rectal area.
- When inflammation occurs in rectum with left part of colon then sufferers have symptoms of pain in left part of abdomen, abdominal cramps, weight loss, watery stools mixed with blood.
- When inflammation covers whole colon then the individual have symptoms of fatigue, fever, night sweats, abdominal pain and abdominal cramps.
Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis
As ulcerative colitis involves only colon and rectum, it is easy to diagnose. Some of the diagnostic tools are as follows-
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy– colonoscopy is the preferred choice as it can be uses to see the whole colon.
- Biopsies which are collected during the procedure of colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy
- x-ray of abdominal area
- Stool analysis
- Barium enema
- MRI or CT scan
- Urine and blood test to check for inflammation, anemia and malnutrition.
Natural Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis with Diet
As a healthy diet which is rich in all vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats prevents in remission of ulcerative colitis, so diet is a crucial factor in the patients having ulcerative colitis. The diet should include various foods:
Low-fat dairy products
- The dairy products can be consumed in moderate amounts until unless it does not cause any trouble in the digestive tract.
- A low quantity of milk does not harm stomach.
- If milk leads to trouble in digestive tract like gas, bloating, or a stomach upset, then start drinking soy milk or lactose free milk.
Fruits and vegetables
- A diet including variety of different fresh fruits is very much beneficial for patients who are having ulcerative colitis.
- So fresh fruits which provides greater amount of vitamins, nutrients, water but less fibre are doing wonderful job to prevent pain in abdomen, abdominal cramps and disturbed bowel movements.
Fresh fruits that are easily digested in the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis such as bananas, avocados,cooked apples, seedless grapes, peaches
- Healthy fats like vegetable oils
- Fish, Lean meat and poultry
- Vegetables but without seeds
Soft Bland Foods
- These kinds of foods are very beneficial in some of the digestive tract problems such as ulcerative colitis. Soft bland foods which can be used in ulcerative colitis are oatmeal, puffed rice, hominy grits, wheat cream, boiled eggs, gelatin, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables such as asparagus, mushrooms, carrots and spinach and brown rice.
Natural Herbs for Ulcerative Colitis
Aloe Vera:
- Aloe Vera helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. According to some studies, it is believed that patients having aloe Vera for 4 weeks shows better results rather than people who are not having.
How to Use
Mix aloe Vera gel into a glass of water and then drink it on the daily basis before going to bed.
Andrographis paniculata
- This herb helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This herb is most commonly used to treat this disease.
Boswellia
- This herb helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This herb helps in protecting our body from cells of ulcerative colitis.
Curcumin
- This herb’s abilities to reduce cytokines and interleukins associated with inflammatory bowel disease, helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. According to some studies, it is believed that if patient continue to have curcumin or turmeric on daily basis, will show betterment of symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
