5 Natural Ways to Manage Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

Is yoga the key to soothing ulcerative colitis? Will therapy provide relief? Natural remedies for ulcerative colitis (UC) should not be your primary treatment approach, but they can help you manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of flares.

To date, there is no cure for UC, a chronic disease of the large intestine (colon) in which inflammation brought on by a faulty immune response creates sores, or ulcers, in the lining of the colon.

The chronic condition affects nearly 1 million Americans and tends to run in families, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Epidemiological research shows that westernized populations and people with diets high in fat and low in fiber are at higher risk for UC. But no one has yet uncovered the main cause of the disease.

“Although the official cause of ulcerative colitis has evaded the medical community, it’s important to understand that it results from an interaction of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors,” says Benjamin Snider, ND, a naturopathic doctor in private practice in Kitchener, Ontario.

Treatments for ulcerative colitis include medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immune system suppressors, biologics, and steroids to control inflammation and other symptoms of the condition. Surgery to remove the colon and rectum is another form of treatment if medication doesn’t prove effective.

There are still other, nonmedical forms of relief. Research shows that a number of natural treatments, including everything from lifestyle changes to herbal medicine, are effective for colitis.

Dr. Snider stresses that a holistic approach that factors in lifestyle, stress, supplements, and some natural remedies for ulcerative colitis offers the best chance at healing.

Read on to learn about some different kinds of natural therapies.

1. Avoid Foods That May Exacerbate Symptoms

Because a healthy diet is a cornerstone for overall health, it’s no surprise that it tops Snider’s list of natural remedies for ulcerative colitis. “Diet is a foundational treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis,” he says, adding that there’s often a dietary component to the disease.

According to a review of studies published in May 2019 in the journal Nutrients, a Western diet high in fat, refined sugar, and animal products is associated with an increased risk of UC and worsening colitis symptoms. The CCFA notes that greasy foods, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and raw fruits and vegetables may trigger UC symptoms as well. But it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for UC, so you’ll have to figure out what works best for you through trial and error.

It helps to keep a food diary to discover which foods are best for you. Snider says it can’t hurt to limit certain foods, and then if your symptoms improve according to your symptom diary, to continue doing so.

2. Get Regular Exercise to Reduce Inflammation

Snider says exercise is useful in managing many of the complications associated with ulcerative colitis, including decreased bone density, a weakened immune system, emotional health problems, stress, and weight gain.

“Try to engage in a moderate-intensity exercise like swimming or biking, three or four days per week,” he says. One research review notes that moderate exercise releases protective myokines such as irisin from working skeletal muscles, which promotes healing and helps with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) inflammation.

3. Stress Less to Keep Things Moving

Research indicates that stress plays a role in inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. According to a research review published in October 2019 in Frontiers in Pediatrics, stress leads to inflammation and changes in the gut, which can exacerbate UC symptoms.

Counteract stress with relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation to help your body relax.

“These modalities shift the nervous system away from fight or flight and into a rest and digest mode,” Snider says. “In addition to heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate changing, blood and nutrients move into the core to support digestive function. ”

4. Consider Therapy to Help Manage Stress and Pain

Working with a therapist on certain mind-body techniques can help you control ulcerative colitis symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a technique called biofeedback may be useful, as these processes teach skills to cope with stress and pain. In CBT, you learn to recognize and change behaviors and emotions that affect you physically. According to an article looking at pain management techniques for people with IBD, CBT can ease abdominal pain for some people. Biofeedback will teach you how to identify and control some bodily processes, such as heart rate or tension in your muscles, and it can be effective in helping manage chronic pain.

5. Consider Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Ease Symptoms

As part of a healthy diet, additional omega-3 fatty acids, the healthy fats found in foods like fatty fish, may keep inflammation at bay and ease ulcerative colitis symptoms.

“Omega-3 fats may be beneficial to patients with both UC and Crohn’s due to the strong anti-inflammatory action and ability to fuel the cells that line the intestinal tract,” says Snider.

Though research results vary, Snider notes that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation holds promise for people with IBD and other inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. A review article published in the January–March 2016 issue of the Annals of Gastroenterology notes that omega-3s may also reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cause systemic inflammation. The authors found that more studies are needed to establish a recommended daily intake to prevent or induce remission in IBD patients.

Talk to your doctor to get advice and recommendations before taking any supplements.

Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.

Ulcerative Colitis Natural Treatment: Diet, Supplements, and More

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic condition involving the digestive system. It often results in symptoms such as:

• frequent, urgent diarrhea
• bloody stool
• abdominal pain and cramping
• rectal pain
• malnutrition
• weight loss
• fatigue

There’s no cure for UC, but remission is possible with proper treatment and management.

The first step toward remission is finding the right treatment regimen. Many people turn to alternative therapies and natural remedies to help manage UC alongside conventional treatments.

These natural remedies, management strategies, and treatment options may help.

Some herbal or organic remedies may help promote gut health and prolong remission. A few familiar supplements and herbal remedies may be effective for managing UC.

Probiotics

Probiotics introduce healthy gut bacteria to restore and maintain a natural microbial flora in the gut. This may reduce harmful inflammatory responses and maintain remission.

Ginseng

There is a lack of human research studying how ginseng affects UC. An animal study from 2015 suggested that ginseng may be effective in the treatment of UC by reducing inflammation and protecting against cellular damage.

Psyllium seed/husk

Psyllium seed/husk enhances gut motility, alleviates the symptoms of constipation, and improves the elimination of waste.

Boswellia

Some 2015 evidence suggests that resin obtained from Boswellia plants may help reduce inflammation, which could be helpful for those with UC.

Bromelain

Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, may help ease UC symptoms and reduce the frequency of flares. It’s proteolytic, which means that it helps break down proteins.

A 2017 study suggested that bromelain may decrease intestinal inflammation and enhance intestinal cell function, which may help reduce UC symptoms.

Turmeric

Turmeric, the Indian spice used in curry, may help people with UC.

Specifically, the curcumin found in turmeric is an antioxidant and appears to decrease inflammation while improving the effectiveness of traditional medical therapy.

Many people living with UC find that making simple lifestyle modifications helps provide some relief. Start with these strategies.

Dietary changes

Dietary changes may help some people with UC. For example, a relatively high proportion of people of European descent are allergic or sensitive to gluten, a substance found in wheat.

Some evidence from 2014 suggests that people with UC are more likely to have celiac disease or be intolerant to gluten. However, more research in this area is needed.

Eliminating these foods and beverages may also decrease the frequency and severity of flares:

• alcohol
• dairy
• meat
• processed foods
• high carbohydrate foods
• sugar alcohols

Lower fat diets seem to be particularly useful in delaying the recurrence of UC. Olive oil, medium-chain triglycerides, omega-3 fatty acids, and certain types of fiber might have a beneficial effect.

High fiber intake may also help some people. In addition to improving bowel regularity, it may improve the consistency of the stool.

High vitamin C intake may have a protective effect, and vitamin C–rich foods may be associated with a longer remission phase. Some of these foods include:

• berries
• spinach
• bell pepper
• parsley

UC leads to several symptoms, not just gastrointestinal ones. Aside from medications, other interventions and lifestyle changes, such as the following, can help improve health and quality of life.

Exercise

Staying active is important for everyone’s overall health. Exercise comes with a variety of health benefits, from boosting immunity to improving mood and strengthening bone health.

Not sure where to start? A few low impact, UC-friendly workout options include:

• walking
• cycling
• swimming
• rowing
• yoga

When UC-related digestive symptoms crop up, working out can feel like the last thing on your mind. It’s important to take it easy during a flare and listen to your body.

Manage stress

Managing a chronic condition like UC can feel stressful. What’s more, research from 2019 shows that stress can trigger a UC flare.

Taking steps to manage and relieve stress can help you cope with and prevent a UC flare. Try these strategies to help keep stress at bay:

• Make time for a hobby, like reading or listening to music.
• Try meditating.
• Practice breathing exercises.
• Open up to a friend, family member, or other loved one about what you’re going through.
• Join a support group.
• Talk with a therapist.

Experiment with various stress-relief strategies to determine which ones work best for you.

When it comes to managing UC, finding the right treatment regimen is the most important step. A number of options are available, both to control UC flares and to manage the condition long-term, including:

• aminosalicylates (5-ASAs)
• corticosteroids
• immunomodulators
• biologics and biosimilars
• targeted synthetic small-molecule medications
• surgical procedures

UC treatment is very individualized, and recommendations will vary based on a variety of factors, such as:

• your symptoms
• the severity of your UC
• your personal preferences

Work with your doctor to establish the best treatment or combination of treatments for managing UC.

Be sure to mention any other medications you take to prevent unnecessary issues or drug interactions. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be associated with UC flares. UC can also lead to low iron levels, and some medications can interfere with iron absorption.

Check in with your doctor regularly to monitor how well things are going and evaluate whether you’d benefit from a change in treatment.

Taking natural remedies along with conventional treatments may help further eliminate symptoms of UC better than just conventional treatments alone.

However, before starting any alternative treatments, you should talk with your doctor about which remedies might be best for you. They can help guide you to finding the best treatments for you.

Read this article in Spanish.

Treatment of ulcerative and chronic colitis with folk remedies

Contents

• What is it?
• Causes of the disease
• Symptoms of the disease
• Diagnosis of the disease
• Treatment with folk methods
• What is prohibited in this disease?
• Preventive measures

When the first warning signs appear, it is not recommended to self-medicate, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations to determine the nature of the disease. One of these diseases is intestinal colitis, which is often confused with dysentery.

Contents

What is it?

Colitis is an inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms. In acute colitis, the symptoms are usually pronounced, the chronic form is distinguished by the sluggish nature of the disease.

The latter form often turns into ulcerative colitis, which requires long and complex treatment. Inflammatory processes lead to atrophy of the intestinal mucosa and disruption of its functions.

When inflammation is localized in a small area, segmental colitis is diagnosed, when pathological processes spread to the entire intestine, one can speak of pancolitis. With enteritis, inflammation also develops in the sections of the small intestine.

Causes of disease

Inflammation of the intestinal mucosa can be caused by a number of reasons. Often several factors contribute to the onset of the disease.

The main causes of colitis include:

• medicinal – prolonged use of antibiotics or laxatives has a devastating effect on the intestinal microflora;
• infectious – colitis can develop with dysentery, salmonellosis and other infections;
• genetic – with congenital pathologies of the organ and its functional insufficiency;
• allergic – food allergy to a number of products often leads to the development of colitis;
• mechanical – prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane with enemas or suppositories from constipation can cause the onset of the disease.

In addition, inflammation in the intestines can be caused by:

• unhealthy and irregular diet;
• poisoning by toxic substances;
• stress and reduced immunity;
• the presence of concomitant diseases (gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, etc. ).

[warning]The disease can develop at any age, its treatment requires long-term therapy and strict adherence to a diet.[/warning]

Symptoms of the disease

The acute stage is characterized by severe symptoms. In the absence of treatment, the disease becomes chronic within three weeks, in which periods of exacerbation are replaced by remission, the duration of which depends on the therapy and adherence to the diet.

Symptoms that may indicate the development of colitis are:

• pain in the upper and left side of the abdomen;
• swelling;
• flatulence;
• alternating constipation and diarrhoea;
• nausea and vomiting;
• blood or mucus in the stool;
• General feeling of weakness.

In some cases, the patient complains of fever, prolonged lack of appetite and the urge to defecate, resulting in mucus discharge.

How to improve intestinal peristalsis? Folk remedies, medications and diet.

Read in this article what to do if the right side of the lower abdomen hurts?

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis begins with history taking – it is necessary to determine the duration of symptoms, under what circumstances they occur and whether there are concomitant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The doctor carefully palpates the abdomen to determine the location of pain. To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out blood test to determine the level of leukocytes, hemoglobin and ESR, coprogram and bacteriological culture of feces .

digital examination of the rectum, x-ray to exclude tumors, ultrasound to determine the condition of the digestive organs and endoscopic examination of the intestine are prescribed. It is necessary to conduct a histological examination to exclude malignant neoplasms in the organ, the symptoms of which are very similar to those of colitis.

[warning]After the diagnosis is established, appropriate treatment is given, which includes medication, intravenous fluids, and diet. In the absence of positive results from conservative therapy, surgical intervention may be required. A positive effect on the condition of the intestines will have the intake of herbal decoctions for two months. Brew a teaspoon of chamomile, centaury and sage into a glass of boiling water. It is necessary to take six to eight times a day, one tablespoon. After three months, you can reduce the intake of the decoction to four times a day for a teaspoon.

Drinking a tablespoon of freshly prepared carrot juice in the morning for at least one month will help restore intestinal peristalsis. The same therapeutic effect will provide onion juice (a teaspoon half an hour before meals).

Constipation will be relieved by eating balls made from a mixture of dried apricots, prunes and figs (200 g of each dried fruit) and three leaves of aloe. Everything is ground and divided into small balls, which must be taken one at a time before going to bed.

For adults

Herbal decoctions used in the treatment of the disease have an antimicrobial effect, normalize acidity and intestinal motility. To achieve positive results, it is recommended to use herbal medicine for 4 – 8 weeks in a row:

• One spoon of cranberry leaves is brewed with a glass of boiling water. Take one spoon before each meal.
• Pour four spoonfuls of chamomile flowers into one glass of boiling water. Heat in a water bath for at least twenty minutes, then strain. Drink half a glass of decoction half an hour before meals at least four times a day.
• Several nettle sprigs curled with boiling water. As soon as the liquid acquires a rich green color, it is drunk. You can use one glass every other day for two weeks.
• Freshly squeezed juice from gooseberries take one spoon twenty minutes before meals.
• Yarrow, chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot, shepherd’s purse and calamus are infused in equal amounts throughout the day. The drink is taken in a third of a glass thirty minutes before each meal.
• Young alder cones are soaked in water and boiled for no more than twenty minutes. The resulting broth is diluted with the same amount of boiled water. Taken as a tea once a day. You can add some honey to improve the taste.
• Ginger root is ground on a fine grater, poured with a small amount of boiling water and heated in a water bath for thirty minutes. You can take one third of a glass before meals.
• Strongly brewed green tea in the morning before breakfast will help fight infections that cause the development of the disease.

For children

Treatment of the disease in children is mainly aimed at strengthening the immune system. Consult with your doctor before using folk remedies:

• A kilogram of chopped apples is boiled for about half an hour. After cooling, the fruits are consumed in a glass a day an hour after eating.
• Half cup blueberries 500 ml of hot water are poured. The liquid is infused for at least ten hours and consumed several teaspoons fifteen minutes before meals.
• Half a cup raspberries are brewed with a liter of boiling water and infused for thirty minutes. The decoction is consumed in a third cup three times a day before meals.
• One hundred grams of watermelon peels are poured with a small amount of boiling water. After insisting, one spoonful is used before meals.

What is prohibited in this disease?

In case of an inflammatory process in the intestines, it is recommended to follow a sparing diet:

• exclude spicy, sour, salty, fried foods;
• exclude fatty foods;
• it is forbidden to eat raw vegetables.

Cooking should be done by boiling or mashing. It is necessary to exclude such bad habits as smoking and drinking alcohol. It is forbidden to take any medication without first consulting a doctor.

What are the methods of examining the intestines?

How to get rid of bad breath from the stomach? Read in this article.

About the treatment of polyps in the intestines with folk remedies – http://vashjeludok.com/kishechnik/k-lechenie/polipov-narodnymi-sredstvami.html

Preventive measures

Disease prevention is timely treatment of diseases of the stomach and pancreas, regular food intake, a balanced diet and an active lifestyle to eliminate stagnant processes in the intestines.

Narrowing of the intestinal vessels, leading to a violation of its functions, can be triggered by excess weight, high blood pressure or diabetes. Controlling risk factors will reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.

Hygiene and drinking clean water are essential. Unsanitary conditions lead to the development of many infectious diseases, one of which is intestinal colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease quickly becomes chronic and can take years to heal. When the first suspicious symptoms appear, do not be too lazy to consult a doctor and conduct the necessary examinations. Timely diagnosis will help prevent the development of the disease and reduce the risk of possible complications.

Non-specific ulcerative colitis: symptoms, treatment and clinical guidelines

Ulcerative colitis (formerly called ulcerative colitis or UC) is a chronic inflammation of the lining of the large intestine with ulceration of the inner wall of the intestine. This is a severe chronic disease that can last for decades and significantly reduces the quality of human life. Approximately every 500th inhabitant of the Earth suffers from this pathology.

Most often, the first signs of ulcerative colitis appear in adolescence and early adulthood in the period of 15-30 years, but can be detected later.

What can cause ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis was previously thought to be caused by poor diet and frequent stress. However, further studies have shown that these factors may increase the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but are not its cause.

Currently, there is no single concept regarding the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Probably, a significant contribution to the development of this disease is made by a violation of the mechanisms of the immune response in the body.

Hereditary causes can also play a role – most often, if there are relatives in the family who suffer from this pathology, other family members are also at increased risk. This is especially evident in the example of closed communities, for example, Ashkenazi Jews.

In addition, there is a theory that ulcerative colitis can be triggered by a high number of sulfate-reducing bacteria, the waste products of which trigger the development of this pathology.

Typology of ulcerative colitis

According to the localization of the affected area in the gastrointestinal tract, the following types of ulcerative colitis are distinguished:

• Proctitis – inflammation of the rectum.
• Proctsigmoiditis – affects the rectum and sigmoid colon.
• Distal colitis – pathological changes occur in the rectum, sigmoid and descending colon.
• Left-sided colitis – inflammation of the part of the large intestine located on the left side of the abdominal cavity (distal intestine plus transverse colon).
• Pancolitis – inflammation of the large intestine along its entire length.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis

The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis, depending on its location, are diarrhea with blood or pus, pain and cramps in the abdominal cavity. In addition, pathological fatigue, fever, nausea, sudden weight loss, anemia, joint pain and skin rashes are possible.

In different people, the symptoms of the disease may be stronger or weaker, all at once or separately. Spontaneous disappearance of symptoms (remission) is also possible, which can last for years.

Dangers, complications, risks of ulcerative colitis

• Colon cancer – patients are indicated for colonoscopy every 1-2 years;
• Thrombosis of arteries and veins;
• Inflammation of the eyes, mouth and skin;
• Bone demineralization and osteoporosis;
• Colonic edema;
• Inflammation and/or damage to the bile duct;
• Severe bleeding and associated infections;
• Dehydration of the body due to constant blood loss.

Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis

Endoscopy is currently the leading diagnostic method. Also, for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, a histological analysis is performed to exclude Crohn’s disease from the diagnosis. To assess the severity of the course of the disease, laboratory tests are used (complete blood count, blood test for specific antibodies (pANCA) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, CRP), fecal analysis). Ultrasound scanning and computed tomography can be used to assess the degree of edema of the large intestine and observe its possible perforation.

Treatment of ulcerative colitis

Treatment of ulcerative colitis, depending on the severity of the disease being tolerated, includes drug therapy, dietary changes and, in extreme cases, surgery. The course of therapy is aimed primarily at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and can be adjusted if unwanted side effects occur.

Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis include the following types of drugs:

• Anti-inflammatory – to eliminate pathological inflammation;
• Antibiotics – for the treatment of associated infections;
• Corticosteroids – for short-term reduction of the immune response and inflammation;
• Immunosuppressants – to reduce the intensity of the immune response in the long term;
• Iron preparations – for the prevention of anemia and the restoration of hemoglobin levels;
• Specialized probiotics – to change the composition of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.

Is ulcerative colitis curable?

Unfortunately, even a well-chosen course of therapy is not able to guarantee a complete cure for ulcerative colitis. In some cases, patients continue to experience negative sensations even after surgery. However, following the doctor’s instructions, in combination with periodic diagnosis, allows you to achieve a stable remission in most cases.

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Although diet is not a factor in causing ulcerative colitis, there are foods that increase the symptoms of the disease. These include milk, fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains), spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine. If the diagnosis is confirmed, these foods should be avoided. Following a diet for ulcerative colitis will help achieve sustainable remission.

Psychological care for ulcerative colitis

Since this pathological condition is associated with prolonged pain and chronic fatigue, the help of a qualified psychologist becomes important. The patient needs to reconsider his life attitudes, based on the reduced amount of resources; possibly change occupation and lifestyle. Psychological group therapy with patients suffering from this ailment may also be useful.

Traditional medicines in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

It is strictly not recommended to try to treat ulcerative colitis with “folk” remedies and alternative medicine.