Ulcerative Colitis Bloating Weight Gain

Which Foods Contribute To Inflammation

How to GAIN weight (Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

Its important for everyone to eliminate toxic, inflammatory foods from their diet. These include refined oils, artificial sweeteners, MSG, processed foods, sugars, conventional dairy products, and gluten. Research shows that proteins in wheat are linked to inflammatory bowel disease as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sugar is also a strong driving factor of inflammation and weight gain. Consuming just one sugar-sweetened beverage per day like fruit juice can lead to an increase in insulin resistance, LDL cholesterol, and c-reactive protein a type of protein made by the liver that is sent into the bloodstream in response to inflammation.

Inflammatory foods are found to increase the bodys acid production, which leads to inflammation. Coffee, soda, potato chips, alcohol, dairy products, and processed meats contribute to the formation of acid and are linked to inflammation and weight gain.

You deserve to maintain a healthy weight without powerful saboteurs standing in your way. Eating a clean diet and drinking pure water are some of the best ways to stop inflammation in its tracks and achieve the weight loss goals youre after.

Exercising Safely With Ulcerative Colitis

Q1. I have lost 12 pounds because of a recent bout with colitis. I am afraid to eat. Can you provide me with a diet or suggestions so that I can gain weight? I am afraid to eat a normal diet so I have been eating bread, rice, bananas, potatoes, some chicken and fish, and hamburger. What supplements can I take for vitamins and minerals? Sometimes Ensure is too rich. Please help.

The best way to gain weight with colitis is to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and to consume more calories than you have been eating. Also, you need to get your colitis under control. If your disease comes under control, there will be less fear of eating, and you should be able to put the weight back on. Ensure is a good, balanced nutritional supplement but if you find that you dont like it, you could try Boost or Glucerna, which are also very good.

Q2. Ive recently lost a lot of weight and started back to running 5K distances after a 15-year layoff. In that 15 years time, I have developed ulcerative colitis. My symptoms are pretty well controlled all except for recently, when I run. Is there anything specific I can do to ease symptoms during running or other forms of intense exercise?

Keith, Minnesota

The Fat Part Of Creeping Fat

Creeping fat is not the same as the type of fat we would associate with overweight or obesity. Having this type of fat doesn’t mean a person is overweight, nor does it contribute to being overweight or obese. Most patients with Crohn’s disease are either at what is considered a low body-mass index, or a healthy body-mass index. It’s not unheard of for a person with IBD to be overweight or obese, but it’s not common either. One study found that 21% of people with Crohn’s have creeping fat, which can lead to bowel damage and surgery.

Recommended Reading: Is Colitis The Same As Ulcerative Colitis

How Long Will My Microscopic Colitis Flare Up Last

Its different for everyone, but flare-ups typically last for days to weeks. Many people find that they can reduce the length and severity of their flare ups by avoiding certain triggers, such as specific foods or chemicals, and medicating when necessary. Talk to your healthcare provider when your colitis is flaring.

Eat High Nutrient Foods

If you have IBD, you already know that processed convenience foods are not going to be the best choice for your diet. A better choice is foods that have a lot of nutrients in a smaller package. Foods that are considered nutrient-dense would be fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, dairy products, and nuts and seeds.

For those with IBD who find these specific foods problematic, other low-fiber choices include peanut butter, eggs, oatmeal, bananas, salmon, and tofu. The more whole your foods are, the more nutrient-dense your diet will be. Avoiding foods that come in bags or boxes is a good rule of thumb.

Can Crohn’s Or Uc Cause Weight Gain

Living with inflammatory bowel disease can absolutely lead to weight gain in some individuals.

Despite what stereotypes are floating around the community, the internet, or even your doctors office, not everyone with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis is stick thin. We come in all shapes and sizes. There are underweight IBDers, average-weight IBDers, overweight IBDers, and those whose BMI falls into the obese category.

You’re So Lucky You Can Eat Anything And Stay Skinny

“Stop, stop, stop telling people that they are lucky to be thin,” said Denise Lindberg. “I have to work to stay not malnourished.”

Furthermore, those with Crohn’s disease or UC often can’t actually eat what they want. As mentioned, weight loss is often due to flare-ups that can mean spending most of the time in the bathroom.

During a flare-up, a person may need to choose food very carefully so they don’t make symptoms worse. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , their diet might have to consist of foods that are low in fiber, fat, or salt or free of lactose. Their healthcare provider may also give them a list of foods or drinks to avoid in their situation .

Don’t Miss: How To Heal Ulcers Fast

Can Probiotics Help Reduce Inflammation

Probiotics are good, healthy bacteria that help crowd out the bad gut bacteria that contribute to inflammation. Countless studies show that consuming foods and supplements containing probiotics can help reduce inflammation. Probiotics also help prevent complications related to long-term use of antibiotics.

Foods that contain probiotics include yogurt with active or live cultures, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, and cottage cheese. Many of these foods can be found at most health food stores. Before buying these foods, read the ingredients labels thoroughly to make sure they dont contain added sugar or other harmful additives that could cancel out their healthy, anti-inflammatory benefits.

Are Nutritional Needs Different For People With Ibd What Are The Specific Nutritional Needs For People With Crohns Disease And Ulcerative Colitis

How to Gain Muscle after healing Ulcerative Colitis

Nutritional needs are specific to the individual and differ with disease state, body size and age. A nutritionist can help you estimate your individual needs. Calorie and protein needs are similar for Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. In both diseases, needs increase during inflammation and immediately after to restore losses. The following are general statements about nutritional needs that may apply to you.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Treat Mouth Ulcers

How Serious Is Microscopic Colitis

Its not as severe as other types of IBD, and not considered a life-threatening disease. Severe, unrelenting diarrhea could lead to dehydration, weight loss or even malnutrition, but microscopic colitis usually doesnt manifest this way. It tends to come and go, and it can be controlled with medication. It can affect your quality of life, however, with uncomfortable symptoms haunting your every meal.

Certain Uc Medication Can Trigger Weight Increase

Certain medicines used to treat UC may cause someone to gain weight.They include:

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone could result in people to put on weight.Long-term use of these medications can cause a reduction in the mass of healthy muscles.

Biologics

Biologics, also known as anti-tumor-necrosis factor agents are an popular therapy of UC and can cause weight increase.

There is evidence that suggests that the biologic drug of infliximab with weight increase.A 2018 study published by the Trusted Source indicates that Remicade may result in weight growth in those suffering from UC who use for a prolonged period of time.However, further studies are needed to prove the effect.

Ways To Prevent Bloating At Home

Shutterstock

Stick to protein- and complex carbohydrate-rich foods.
Eat slowly and chew your food properly.
Limit the intake of carbonated drinks.
Avoid excess intake of foods like lentils, dried beans, and vegetables from the cabbage family.
Avoid chewing gum and drink water with a straw to avoid swallowing air.

Maintain a log of what you ate and how you felt after eating to determine the real cause of your bloating. If you struggle with bloating constantly, follow these tips.

About Budesonide Rectal Foam And Enemas

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Management

Budesonide rectal foam and enemas are used to treat ulcerative colitis. These medicines are applied into your bottom .

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where you get patches of swelling , and sometimes ulcers, in the lining of your bowel. The most common symptoms are stomach pain and bloody diarrhoea.

Budesonide does not cure ulcerative colitis. However, it helps reduce symptoms by calming down the inflammation in your bowel.

The rectal foam and enemas are available on prescription only.

Budesonide is a type of medicine known as asteroid . Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Also Check: Can Ulcerative Colitis Cause Weight Gain

Maintain A Healthy Diet

People with UC should eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet full of nutritious foods, including:

Fruits and vegetables: People should try a variety of fruits and vegetables and remove the peel and seeds if they trigger a flare.
Fiber-rich foods: These include whole grains, beans, nuts, oat bran, and barley. These foods are unsuitable for people with an ostomy or intestinal narrowing, and a person should avoid them if a doctor has advised them to follow a low fiber diet.
Calcium-rich foods: These foods include milk, yogurt, kefir, lactose-free dairy products, and collard greens.
Protein: Lean meats, fish, tofu, nuts, and eggs are good sources of protein.
Food with probiotics: People can try including more yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi in their diet.

When experiencing a flare, a person may tolerate moderate portion sizes of the following foods:

low fiber fruits
lean protein, such as fish, poultry, soy, and eggs
refined grains, such as sourdough, white pasta, potatoes, and oatmeal
vegetables that are fully cooked and do not contain seeds or skin

Specific diets that a person may wish to discuss with a healthcare professional include:

the Mediterranean diet, also known as the anti-inflammatory diet or IBD-AID
the Paleolithic diet
semi-vegetarian diets

What Causes Bloating In The Stomach

Gas

Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but too much intestinal gas means your digestion is gone awry. While you can ingest gasses by swallowing air or drinking carbonated beverages, these gasses mostly escape through belching before they reach your intestines. Gasses in your intestines are mostly produced by gut bacteria digesting carbohydrates, in a process called fermentation.

If theres too much fermentation going on, its because too many carbohydrates werent naturally absorbed earlier in the digestive process, before reaching those gut bacteria. That could be for several reasons. Maybe you just ate too much too fast for proper digestion. Or you might have a specific food intolerance or gastrointestinal disease. Some possible causes include:

Digestive Contents

These can include solids, liquids, and gas. Digestive contents can build up in your digestive system when there is a backup or restriction in your digestive tract or when the muscles that move digestive contents along are somehow impaired. Any build-up of digestive contents along the digestive tract will leave less room for normal amounts of gas to process through. It also leaves less room for other things in your abdomen, including circulatory fluids and fat, making everything feel tighter. Causes of build-up can include:

Hormones

Also Check: Best Anti Diarrhea Medicine For Ulcerative Colitis

Ibd And Obesity: What Are The Best Treatments For People With Both

Obesity rates are on the rise for people with IBD, leaving patients with the challenge of seeking out treatments to both keep a healthy weight and manage symptoms from conditions like Crohns.

Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock

Peter Knott, a London-based digital consultant, was diagnosed with Crohns disease five years ago. While Knotts weight has always fluctuated throughout his life, he says Crohns led him to be more lethargic and less motivated to exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Right now, Knott says he weighs a little over 230 pounds, but would need to be closer to 200 pounds to be at a healthier weight, according to his doctor.

Mentally, I find it very difficult to motivate myself, Knott says, adding that symptoms like fatigue also make it hard for him to go to the gym after work he usually goes home to rest up instead.

Can Weight Gain Cause Bloating

Does IBD cause weight gain?

The relationship between bloating and weight gain is poorly explored. Current evidence shows there is no correlation between bloating and body mass index . However, bloaters do have a little bit of intraabdominal fat. A few kilos of extra intra-abdominal fat could make a person more susceptible to the normal fluctuations in an intra-abdominal volume that all people experience.

About 40% of patients with bloating have put on at least 10 pounds in the preceding year. A great deal of recently gained weight is stored as intraabdominal fat. In turn, there is a reduction of space into which the abdominal contents can expand comfortably. This can lead to bloating . In other words, weight gain can make you more prone to bloating and discomfort it causes.

The underlying mechanisms through which excess weight may lead to bloating require further elucidating. For example, one potential mechanism could be through the use of proton pump inhibitors i.e. drugs used to reduce stomach acid. Overweight and obese patients are more likely than their counterparts to have gastroesophageal reflux disease . Patients with GERD are more likely to use PPIs than healthy people. This matters because PPI therapy could promote different forms of bacterial overgrowth through its potential to eliminate gastric acid. As a result, you may experience different gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain and bloating .

Read Also: How To Clear Stomach Gas

Also Check: Can Candida Cause Ulcerative Colitis

Are You Getting Enough Nutrients

Because UC affects your ability to take in nutrients and digest food, it could lead to malnutrition. Thatâs when you donât get enough of the nutrients you need to nourish your organs and tissues. While malnutrition isnât common for people with UC, even a slight case can make it harder for you to heal if you get sick.

You might associate weight loss with malnutrition, but people with excess weight can be malnourished, too. Thatâs especially true if, as with UC, you canât eat a balanced diet due to your symptoms or have problems digesting nutritious foods.

These UC symptoms could put you at risk for malnutrition:

Diarrhea that causes dehydration and a loss of electrolytes, essential minerals that are absorbed in the large intestine
Appetite loss due to belly pain
Bleeding from your rectum that leads to iron deficiency
Frequent bathroom trips, since you might eat less in an effort to avoid them

Restricting your diet because of UC can also interfere with nutrition. But so can eating foods that trigger your symptoms, since those symptoms may make you want to eat less.

To make sure you donât become malnourished:

Your doctor can test your vitamin and mineral levels so you can take supplements if you need them.
A dietitian can help you develop an eating plan designed around your food limitations and UC triggers.

Signs That Water Weight Is Making You Bloat

Water retention may make you feel heavier than usual and bloated. Here are the signs to look out for:

Constant boating, especially in the abdominal area
Puffiness of the face, abdomen, and hips
Swollen feet, legs, and ankles
Weight fluctuations
Skin indentation

In most cases, the symptoms of abdominal bloating can be minimized or prevented by changing your lifestyle habits. Here are a few tips.

Finding Treatment For Overweight People With Ibd

Among IBD patients with obesity, Bosworth says the approach to treatment varies. He stresses that diet is an important consideration, and that for people who are obese, weight loss is beneficial for their overall health and treatment.

Just a five percent weight loss can make a big impact on a patients therapeutic success, Bosworth says.

He explains that some people gain weight because their bodies are trying to control inflammation so well that the body actually adds fat to make up for the calories used to peel away inflammation.

When a person comes in and is given a new diagnosis, treatment really varies from patient-to-patient and diagnosis-to-diagnosis, Bosworth adds. A treatment for maintaining Crohns and losing weight at the same time could be right for one person but might not be right for everyone.

Bosworth laid out these helpful tips for people trying to manage their weight while also living with IBD:

Make a change of diet. Bosworth says changes to your diet could help. For instance, a high ironbased diet could help speed up the metabolism and spur weight loss.

Seek out surgery. I have had patients who are morbidly obese who have tried different types of diets and not found them to be effective, Bosworth says. Sometimes surgery has been the best path for these patients. I have had some obese patients who have needed to seek out bariatric surgery, for instance thats what they needed to improve their overall health and weight.

How Is Microscopic Colitis Treated

Treatment can vary depending on your symptoms and how severe they are. They range from dietary and lifestyle changes to over-the-counter and prescription medications. For some people, symptoms flare up and then go away on their own. Some people are able to manage their symptoms well with dietary changes alone, while others may need to use medication intermittently or more frequently.

Common medications include:

Bulking agents, such as psyllium, to make your poop more solid and slow down its transit time.
Anti-diarrheals that slow down your bowel contractions, such as loperamide or diphenoxylate.
Bismuth Subsalicylate for diarrhea, acid reflux, nausea and indigestion.
Budesonide, a corticosteroid thats absorbed in your colon, where it reduces inflammation.
Mesalamine, a medication designed to treat ulcerative colitis, for inflammation and pain.
Bile acid sequestrants , if you have bile acid malabsorption.

If you don’t respond to the above medications, and if your doctor believes there is an autoimmune factor involved, they might suggest additional medications to target your immune response, such as:

Additional recommendations from your doctor may include:

Adjusting your preexisting medications.
Identifying your specific food intolerances.

Read Also: Best Diet For Peptic Ulcer