Have you had issues with frequent diarrhea? Do you feel like your going to the bathroom a lot more often than normal? Do you have recurrent stomach cramps? Is there blood in your stool? All of these are very important questions to consider if you think you have an inflammatory bowel disease called Ulcerative Colitis.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine, which is also called the colon. To simply break down the name of the disease, “ulcerative” means that the disease creates ulcers and “colitis” means inflammation of the colon. The inflammation of the lining of the colon can eventually develop into ulcers. These ulcers can flare up (just like a stomach ulcer) which causes the diarrhea that may contain blood. The source of the blood is from the bleeding ulcers. Ulcerative colitis is typically a long-term issue. The disease develops over time. The first sign may just be an increase in number of bowel movements each day. This can be accompanied with “crampy” abdominal pain. While an occasional episode of diarrhea is not too concerning, multiple episodes of diarrhea accompanied with blood definitely is a big concern. Blood in the stool should prompt you to visit your doctor right away. Other symptoms that are important to recognize are fever, shortness of breath, a sensation that the heart is racing, loss of appetite, and unintentional weight loss. While ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease, it is definitely manageable. There are a group of medications that help to reduce the inflammation of the colon and prevent the development of ulcers. It is important that you collaborate early with your doctor and understand the importance of treatment.CONNECT WITH YOUR COLON
The colon is the last part of the digestive tract. The primary responsibility of the colon is to reabsorb water and nutrients. When the colon becomes inflamed, it becomes more difficult for the colon to reabsorb things.What is the treatment?
The main goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation of the colon. This can be done with a variety of medications that includes steroids and antibiotics. Antibiotics are needed when there is an infection in the colon. There are also medications that can reduce the occurrence of ulcers. Depending on the extent of inflammation, surgery may be indicated. However, your doctor will be able to better determine this after taking a thorough history.What can you expect when you visit your doctor?
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be suggestive of ulcerative colitis, your doctor will want to get a detailed history. The doctor will want to know about the timing of the symptoms and if there is anything that triggers the symptoms such as foods, allergies, stress, etc. The doctor may ask you to describe the pain and to show the location of the pain. While it may be uncomfortable or embarrassing to discuss, your doctor may also ask you to describe your stool. This is especially important to discuss if you have blood in your stool. These types of questions will help the doctor to arrive at the correct diagnosis.What tests can be expected?
You can also expect to have some laboratory tests. This will help the doctor to determine if there are any other clues to the diagnosis. It is common with persons experiencing frequent diarrhea to have abnormal lab test results. Your doctor may also want to collect a stool sample to make sure there is no infection of your colon with bacteria or parasites. It is not uncommon for doctors to order imaging tests to get a better look at what is going on inside the abdomen. If you are 50 years or older, it is recommended that you have a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer. Ulcerative colitis is considered a risk factor for the development of colon cancer. Therefore, it is important to begin treatment early and to follow up with your doctor regularly.HARMONIZE WITH YOUR COLON
How does nutrition influence the Ulcerative Colitis?
Due to the loss of appetite caused by UC, many individuals may not get the nutrition and calories needed to meet the body's energy demands. In addition, persistent diarrhea that often results from UC can cause the malabsorption of important nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and most importantly water. As a result, proper nutrition plays an important role in management of UC.Some recommended dietary modifications include:
- Eat smaller meals more often. This allows the colon to become more stabilized and less irritable.
- Drink plenty of liquids. Maintaining a good hydration status is key to good health and overall well-being.
- Take multivitamin supplements. Since the colon is irritated, it is more difficult to reabsorb nutrients compared to a normal, healthy colon. to meet all the nutritional requirements.
Ulcerative colitis is not caused by any particular foods, but certain foods can trigger a flare-up and cause further inflammation and irritation to the colon. There are a select group of foods that is best to limit or avoid.
- Dairy products, especially for those that are lactose intolerant.
- High-fat foods, these can make your diarrhea worse
- High-fiber foods
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
What Lifestyle Modifications can help?
Stress Reduction. Although stress is not considered a cause of ulcerative colitis, it can trigger the inflammation so it is important to manage stress levels.Increase Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise is an excellent stress reducing activity that can also help relieve depression. Research has also found that exercise can help normalize bowel function and promote regularity in bowel movements.
Start relaxation exercises and breathing techniques. Popular relaxation exercises that incorporate breathing techniques include yoga, pilates, and meditation.
INTEGRATE COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE METHODS
What to expect from your Osteopathic physician?
It is important when treating any disease to consider the body as one single harmonious unit. While the problem may be localized to the colon, it is important to look beyond that part of the body. The colon is a large organ that has an intricate involvement of nerves and muscle. The same nerves that supply information to the colon can be localized to a source along the spinal cord. As osteopathic physicians, we use the vertebral column as anatomic landmarks for these nerves. The nerves that innervate the colon originate from the thoracic vertebrae and extend downwards to the lumbar vertebrae. Having this knowledge helps physicians to provide alternative treatment options to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by ulcerative colitis.What other alternative remedies are available?
As with many other medical conditions, there are popular alternative remedies for ulcerative colitis. The fennel seed is a popular spice used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It not only provides a vibrant flavor to foods, but it also is a great digestive aid. The oils released from the seed stimulates the lining of the digestive tract, promoting better motility of the small and large intestines. Improved motility means that nutrients can be easily absorbed and stool can pass through the colon more efficiently. The fennel seed oil also reduces the spastic reaction the colon has to the inflammation. Decreased spasticity of the colon reduces the stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.Are there any dangers of eating fennel seeds?
The fennel seed is considered to be gentle and safe. However, like any other foods, there is a risk of allergic reaction. Make sure to discuss your allergy history with your doctor before deciding to try this home remedy. Also, keep in mind that everything should be taken in moderation. Too much of the fennel seed oil can become toxic. For ulcerative colitis, it is recommended to use the whole fennel seed rather than the essential fennel seed oil. Do not consume fennel seeds if you are pregnant.Simple Recipe for Fennel Seed Tea
- 1-2 teaspoons of whole fennel seeds
- 1 cup boiling water
- Crush the whole fennel seeds to release the oil.
- Use 1-2 teaspoons of crushed seeds for 1 cup of boiling water
- Add the crushed seeds to the boiling water and allow to brew for 5-10 minutes (the longer you brew the tea, the stronger the flavor)
- Strain the seeds and serve hot
- Enjoy the tea!
Other Resources
- http://www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-ulcerative-colitis
- http://programs.rmei.com/knowyouribdvl/Understanding_Colitis/index.html
- http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/plant-based-dietary-tips-for-those-with-ulcerative-colitis/
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/basics/definition/con-20043763
- http://www.herbaleducation.net/fennel