Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms, Causes and Help

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced what is commonly referred to as a ’24 hour stomach bug or stomach flu’. Gaining intimate knowledge of your commode during that 24 hour time frame is not a fun experience, neither is Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis, which produces similar symptoms, with the exception of no vomiting.

Frequent bouts of diarrhea, bloody stools, cramps and abdominal pain are symptoms of Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis.

Colitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the colon lining. This inflammation causes the colon to empty frequently, hence the diarrhea. Ulcerative Colitis occurs where the inflammation of Colitis kills cells in the colon lining and leaves sores, or ulcers. With Ulcerative Colitis, there will be rectal bleeding along with the above mentioned symptoms.

The causes of Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis can be trigger by several factors, radiation treatments to the pelvic area, certain antibiotics, and some viruses. The most common cause for these conditions however, is bacteria.

The processed food that we eat turns into a pasty substance and just sits in our large intestine, unable to move. The heat and the moisture invites bacteria to grow, which then ferments our waste matter, causing acids and by products to eat away at the intestinal lining.

The old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, applies here. Adding more fiber to your diet can help prevent you from ever having Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis. Fiber will keep things moving along in the colon.

If you already have either one of these conditions, there is still help to minimize the duration of the flare ups.

Drink more than the normal amount of fluids so you won’t dehydrate. At least 10 glasses of water or fruit juice during a flare up.

Eat sparingly, eat only a few bites of plain food such as applesauce, cooked carrots or boiled, skinless chicken.

During a flare up, cut out the fiber from your diet. Eat plain foods that won’t irritate your colon. Do not eat anything that contains seeds or nuts, and no popcorn. These foods further irritate the colon and stop things from moving along in the colon.

If you experience any of the symptoms of Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis for a prolonged period of time, you will need to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may possibly prescribe something to work in conjunction with what you can do at home to help yourself through a flare up.