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Inflammation of the colon or the large intestines is called colitis. There are several causes for colitis. The main causes
of colitis include indigestion, prolong constipation, stressful life style, unhealthy food habit, etc. Other causes of colitis
include excess dose of antibiotics and other medicine, food allergy. There are many people who are allergic to certain kind
of food, and hence have chance to suffer from colitis. Similarly, people who does not have proper bowel movement or whose
digestive system fails to digest roughage, etc. suffer from colitis.
Ulcerative colitis causes open sores in the large intestine and almost always results in bloody, watery stools. Plain
colitis, which is less severe, doesn't involve ulcers and tends to be confined to the upper part of the large intestine. Chronic
ulcerative colitis is a severe, prolonged inflammation of the colon or large bowel in which ulcers form in the walls of the
colon, resulting in the passage of bloody stools mixed with mucus and pus.
Person suffering from colitis experiences severe pain in abdomen, blood in stool. All this really make him weak. The major
symptoms of colitis include severe pain in abdomen, excessive urge to clear bowel, frequent urge to bowel discharge, release
of blood from stool.With the passage of time patient releases watery stool which results in lack of fluid in the body. Patient
also experiences fever, weakness, sleeping tendency. Lack of blood also causes anemia and patient also loose taste for food.
Colitis patient also experiences constipation, diarrhoea, etc.
HOME REMEDIES: COLITIS
· Eat a high quality diet in between the attacks. If a specific food causes trouble on multiple occasions, avoid it. But
if it happens only once, retest. If you find that cabbage makes your symptoms worse, for example, don't avoid all leafy vegetables.
· Fiber may be an important food source for patients suffering from colitis. Apples are a very good source of fibre. But
avoid fibre during the flare-ups.
· People with ulcerative colitis should consider taking a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains at least
400 micrograms of folate.
· Emotional stress is the biggest challenge for colitis sufferers. To reduce stress plan a regular exercise program. Exercise
will dissipate the effects of stress better than anything.
· Inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk, can be a factor in colitis . By avoiding all milk products, you may
be able to reduce your symptoms.
· Strict bed rest with plenty of fluids and a high protein diet are very important.
· Foods should be attractively prepared and the patient encouraged to eat.
· The diet should contain at least 2500 calories a day, given in three or four general meals.
· Vitamin K can help to prevent hemorrhage from the bowel.
· Avoid eating raw carrots, asparagus, zucchini, squash and other popular vegetables.
· Marshmallow root is soothing and healing to inflamed mucous membranes.
· Wild yam is known to reduce gastrointestinal upset and nerve pain, and is also considered to be a strong antispasmodic
and is potentially anti-inflammatory.
· Ginger has traditionally been recommended in Chinese medicine for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
· Cayenne is helpful for various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping pains, and
gas.
· Many doctors suggest eliminating all sugar (including soft drinks and processed foods with added sugar) from the diets
of those with ulcerative colitis.
· Laughing provides us with the natural inner massage, and through change of mood it can account for up to 30% of cure.
· Angelica nutritionally supports the digestive systems.
· Mandrake works well for liver, gallbladder and all aspects of digestion.
· Peppermint calms the stomach, intestinal tract, and the nervous system. It comforts the stomach and nourishes the salivary
glands to help with digestion.
· Another potential natural remedy is to take oral butyrate itself. Butyrate is the byproduct of fermentation in a healthy
gastric tract.
. Drinking aloe vera gel (juice) fresh from the leaf itself helps. Strip the aloe vera leaf and remove the pulp
from the leaf insides, blend it in a juicer, drink 30ml of this juice twice a day for about a week. Aloe vera is a good antoxidant
and has the ability to induce bowel movements. It also eases constipation. Removes the toxins, and heals ulcers. Good for
diabetics and hypertensive patients. It has no side effects.
. A diet of fresh curd and rice helps give relief to the intestines. Alternatively, drink buttermilk for additional
relief.
. Loose motions or diarrhoea causes the body to lose electrolytes. It is extremely important to replenish these lost
electrolytes. Tender coconut water is the best source of natural minerals and electrolytes. You can also drink a glass of
electrolytes mixture available at the chemists.
. Fruits like apple, banana, pomegranate, and papaya help in digestion and control of loose motions. However, pomegranate
can cause constipation when eaten for a long period.
. The peel of pomegranate fruit should be dried and stored. Use this peel for making a tea with additions like cumin
seeds, carom seeds, cinnamon, amla (indian gooseberry) drink this tea in sips 3-4 times a day and about 30 ml at a time.
. Arrowroot powder also helps stop loose motions due to colitis.
. Cramps and severe pain due to colitis can be controlled by making a tea of KALMEGH (ANDROGRAPHIS PENICULATA). It
is a bitter plant, and a decoction of this plant gives tremendous relief from colitis, gastritis, cramps, liver problems,
worms and many more. The herb is the well-known drug Kalmegh;green chiretta, and forms the principal ingredient of a reputed
household medicine (alui), used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge.
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