What is Colitis and symptoms of ulcerated colitis :

Colitis is also known as inflammatory bowel disease or Idiopathic proctocolitis.
This condition is characterised by inflammation and ulcerations of the colon, also known as the bowel or large intestine. Not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome.
The mucous lining undergoes steady erosion with abscess formation.
The colon can become narrower and shorter. Ineffectual straining at stool movements can lead to nervous exhaustion.
Ulcerative colitis usually affects the last part of the colon. The rectum is involved in majority of the cases, but sometimes it can cause inflammation throughout the entire colon.

Colitis complications can include :

• perforation of the bowel
• fistula formation
• rectal bleeding

It is not exactly known what triggers off ulcerative colitis but aside from predisposition due to genetics.
Ischaemic (Ischemic) colitis involves an area of inflammation (irritation and swelling) caused by interference with the blood flow to the large intestine. The colon is supplied with blood by the inferior mesenteric artery. If the blood supply becomes compromised (blocked or cut off) to this area, part of the colon may infarct (die). This condition is known as ischemic colitis.

Some symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis include ...

• Increased bowel movement frequency
  (Some people may have urgent bowel moments as may as 6 to 15 times per day accompanied with abdominal pain and bloody stool)
• Bloody diarrhea
• Mucus in stool
• Blood in stool
• Blood and Mucus in stool
• Abdominal pain
• Rectum area pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Decreased Appetite
• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Anaemia
• Bloating in the gut
• Rashes
• Joint aches

Some possible causes of inflammatory bowel disease are ...

• Genetics
• Food intolerance
• Food allergy
• Long term use of some medicines or antibiotics
• A Bacteria or Viral infection
• Excessive stress can also cause flare ups of colitis

Many inflammatory bowel disease symptoms may come and go any time - people can be symptom free for ages and have a flare up for no known reason.

Conventional treatment is via anti-diarrheal drugs, immunosuppressants, antibiotics and corticosteroids taken orally or as an enema.
In sever progression of the condition, emergency surgical removal of the colon is sometimes necessary.

Many sufferers have found long term, drug free relief following by changing their food intake in combination with the inclusion of various food supplements such as probiotics.

Sugar, high animal fats, caffeine, smoking, wheat & dairy products have been found to aggravate the problem.

A change in diet which eliminates dairy and wheat products is the first stage.
As most ready meals & fast foods contain added colours, additives, flavour enhancers, preservatives and many other chemicals, they too need to be eliminated as these chemicals can react with the gut lining to cause inflammation, pain and bleeding.

* Also read the Irritable Bowel Syndrome page for information.

COLITIS / INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE SUMMARY Improve your diet ie. eliminate sugar, coffee, tea, animal fats & processed foods from the diet. Stop smoking Improve the digestive process. Maintain correct bowel flora (favourable bacteria in the colon) BENEFICIAL INGREDIENTS Probiotics e.g. Acidophilus & Bifidophilus Comfrey Goldenseal Meadowsweet EPA & DHA (Omega 3 fish oils) Antifungals Garlic Vitamin C Calendula Vitamin A Flaxseed Aloe Vera Magnesium Zinc

Basic information on: Bleeding bowels, blood and mucus in stool, gut pains, bloating associated with Colitis / IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease, symptoms of ulcerated colitis.