Thursday, March 28, 2024

How To Reduce Ulcerative Colitis

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Speak With Your Doctor

How to Prevent a Flare up! Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease

Without treatment, people with UC tend to relapse.

For many people with mild or moderate symptoms, things improve somewhat after diagnosis. This is thanks to medication, along with identifying and avoiding triggers.

More aggressive cases are less common, and only a small number of severe cases will require hospitalization.

Repeated flare-ups can indicate problems with your current treatment, so speak with your doctor and discuss adjusting your medication.

Several classes of medication now exist that can help you get into and stay in remission. Your doctor may need to add another type or increase your dosage.

The only way to prevent UC flare-ups is to have surgery. The most common type of UC surgery is the proctocolectomy, which involves the removal of the rectum and colon.

Candidates for UC surgery include people who:

  • have sudden or severe disease
  • have a perforated colon
  • are at risk for colorectal cancer
  • are unable to tolerate their UC medications due to side effects
  • have stopped responding to their UC medications

In addition to knowing how to manage flare-ups, its also helpful to recognize factors that can trigger your flare-ups.

Coping With Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Side Effects

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease . People with ulcerative colitis have an overactive immune system that attacks and inflames the large intestine, including the colon and rectum. Inflammation leads to symptoms like belly cramps, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Theres no cure for ulcerative colitis. The goal of ulcerative colitis treatments is to control symptoms and prevent future flare-ups.

Some of the medications that doctors recommend to treat ulcerative colitis work by calming the immune system to bring down inflammation. Other treatments relieve specific symptoms like diarrhea or bloating.

Common medications used to treat ulcerative colitis symptoms include:

  • antidiarrheal drugs: loperamide
  • pain relievers: acetaminophen , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, ibuprofen , and naproxen
  • aminosalicylates: sulfasalazine, balsalazide, mesalamine, olsalazine
  • corticosteroids: prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, budesonide
  • immunomodulators: azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, 6-mercaptopurine , methotrexate
  • biologic drugs: adalimumab , infliximab
  • tofacitinib
  • antibiotics: ciprofloxacin , metronidazole , rifaximin

All of these medications can cause mild to severe side effects. Your doctor will help you to find a treatment that minimizes ulcerative colitis symptoms with side effects that you can tolerate.

Its important to openly discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Your treatment needs may change over time.

  • spicy or fatty foods

Ulcerative Colitis Inflammation And How To Prevent It

Inflammation is one of those hot topic terms for diet and health. One of those words that gets thrown around all the time by health professionals, commercials, and wellness products. You know you should be avoiding it, and perhaps you know that there are foods and behaviors that help reduce it, but what is inflammation, why does it happen, and how is it related to ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects the large intestine or colon. It is defined by the irritation and swelling caused by inflammation. In fact, its considered to be an inflammatory bowel disease. Unfortunately, theres currently no cure for ulcerative colitis, but the right treatments and lifestyle behaviors can help you feel like you have a handle of the condition. Reducing or preventing inflammation is a major step in improving the symptoms and suffering associated with ulcerative colitis.

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What Should I Ask My Doctor

If you have ulcerative colitis, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • How much of my large intestine is affected?
  • What risks or side effects can I expect from the medication?
  • Should I change my diet?
  • Will ulcerative colitis affect my ability to get pregnant?
  • What can I do at home to manage my symptoms?
  • What are my surgical options?

Who Diagnoses Ulcerative Colitis

#Prevention of #Ulcerative #Colitis with #Natural # ...

If you have symptoms of ulcerative colitis, your regular healthcare provider will probably refer you to a specialist. A gastroenterologist a doctor who specializes in the digestive system should oversee the care for adults. For young patients, a pediatric gastroenterologist who specializes in children should manage the care.

Read Also: How To Heal Ulcerative Colitis Flare

How Stress Causes Inflammation

In cases of ongoing tension or conflict, however, prolonged stress can wreak havoc on your body, primarily through an inflammatory response. Along with other physical changes, stress causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol, says Bottoms. If we are under continuous stress, our body can produce cortisol levels that are too high, which can then impair the inflammatory response. In the short term, says Bottoms, cortisol can actually help regulate inflammation, but with chronic stress, the body stops responding, allowing inflammation to escalate. The bodys systems are often interlinked, she explains.

Who Gets Ulcerative Colitis

Anyone at any age, including young children, can get ulcerative colitis. Your chance of getting it is slightly higher if you:

  • Have a close relative with inflammatory bowel disease .
  • Are between 15 and 30 years old, or older than 60.
  • Are Jewish.
  • Use frequent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen .

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What Are The Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis symptoms often get worse over time. In the beginning, you may notice:

  • Diarrhea or urgent bowel movements.
  • Abdominal cramping.
  • Liver disease.
  • Loss of fluids and nutrients.

Symptoms are similar in pediatric ulcerative colitis and may also include delayed or poor growth. Some ulcerative colitis symptoms in children can mimic other conditions, so it is important to report all symptoms to your pediatrician.

What Is An Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Ulcerative colitis: Fresh approaches to taming inflammation

A person with ulcerative colitis may find they need to modify their diet to help manage their symptoms. There is not a single diet or meal plan that fits everyone with ulcerative colitis, and diets are individualized for each patient. Depending on symptoms different types of diets may be recommended, such as:

  • A high-calorie diet: Many people with ulcerative colitis lose weight and can develop signs of malnutrition. A high calorie diet may prevent these problems.
  • A lactose-free diet: People with ulcerative colitis may also have lactose intolerance.
  • A low-fat diet: Ulcerative colitis may interfere with fat absorption and eating fatty foods may trigger symptoms. This is often recommended during an ulcerative colitis flare.
  • A low-fiber diet : This can help reduce the frequency of bowel movements and abdominal cramps.
  • A low-salt diet: This diet is used when patients are on corticosteroid therapy to help reduce water retention.
  • A low FODMAP diet: FODMAPstands for Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccha-rides and Polyols, which are types of sugars found in certain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. This diet is used in people who have intolerance to FODMAPS.
  • A gluten-free diet: People with ulcerative colitis may also be sensitive to gluten.
  • Alcohol can stimulate the intestine, triggering diarrhea. Some people tolerate alcohol better than others.
  • Dried fruits, berries, fruits with pulp or seeds are other foods high in fiber that can trigger ulcerative colitis symptoms.
  • Also Check: Natural Ways To Heal Ulcerative Colitis

    Make Sure Youre Getting Enough Probiotics And Prebiotics

    Whether you take probiotics tablets, eat fermented vegetables or other fermented products, or take kefir, I personally try to intake something with probiotics and prebiotics at least a few times a week. My personal favourite is a kefir smoothie its an excellent combination of probiotics and prebiotics! Learn more about how to choose the right probiotics here.

    When To Contact A Doctor

    People need to discuss any blood in the stools with their doctor, even if they have experienced it before.

    A person may also wish to monitor their UC symptoms, so they know what is usual for them to experience. People can then discuss any abnormal symptoms with a healthcare professional.

    If individuals have ongoing diarrhea that lasts for a couple of weeks, they can contact their doctor to discuss concerns and treatment.

    The Crohnâs and Colitis Foundation advises people to seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following:

    • inability to keep down liquids due to nausea, vomiting, or pain
    • rectal bleeding with blood clots in stools
    • continuous pain

    Managing UC with treatment may help reduce bleeding. There are medications that may reduce inflammation in the rectum and large intestines, which may, in turn, reduce bleeding.

    Anti-inflammatory medications for UC can include:

    • 5-Aminosalicylic acid: Medication that may help reduce acute inflammation and causes inflammation to become inactive over time.
    • Corticosteroids: A short-term treatment to help reduce inflammation.
    • Immunosuppressants: These medications can help suppress the immune response that can cause inflammation. However, they may take up to 6 months to be effective.
    • Biologics: For treatment of moderate to severe UC, biologics help block molecules that trigger inflammation.

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    Complementary And Alternative Therapies

    Diet

    Although diet cannot cure ulcerative colitis, some studies suggest that people who eat foods high in saturated fat and sugar, and who eat less amounts of fruits and vegetables, may be at greater risk of developing the disease. Certain foods may also reduce symptoms.

    • Limit intake of dairy products, which may help reduce diarrhea.
    • Eat fruits and vegetables and pay attention to fiber. Although fiber is crucial to a healthy diet, some people with inflammatory bowel disease find that fiber makes symptoms worse. If fiber bothers you, steam or bake your vegetables instead of eating them raw, and avoid high-fiber foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, and raw apples. Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits and vegetables .
    • A bland, low-fiber diet may be best during acute flares.
    • Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day.
    • Certain foods may aggravate symptoms of ulcerative colitis .
    • Avoid refined foods, such as white breads and pastas.
    • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.

    People with significant malnourishment, severe symptoms, or those awaiting surgery may require parenteral nutrition.

    Nutrition and Supplements

    Southern Cross Medical Library

    What Diet Should Be Followed to Prevent Ulcerative Colitis

    The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.

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    Ways To Naturally Treat Ulcerative Colitis

    Is yoga the key to soothing ulcerative colitis? Will an herb provide relief? Natural remedies for ulcerative colitis may 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 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. Epidemiological research shows that Westernized populations and people with diets high in fat are at higher risk for UC, as well as Caucasians and Ashkenazi Jews. But no one has yet uncovered the main cause of the disease.

    Although the official cause of ulcerative colitis has evaded the medical community, its 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 medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, 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 doesnt prove effective.

    • Wheatgrass juice
    • Curcumin

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

    Prevent An Ulcerative Colitis Flare By Following A Diet That Works For You

    To prevent flare-ups, I think that all the stress management techniques combined with DIET make a huge difference for me. My amazing GI has talked to me about a diet eliminating as much sugar and refined carbs as possible. I will definitely talk more in-depth about diet and a breakdown of my diet in the future, but here are some diet based tips to help you prevent an ulcerative colitis flare

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    How Is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed

    To diagnose ulcerative colitis in children, teenagers and adults, your healthcare provider has to rule out other illnesses. After a physical exam, your provider may order:

    • Blood tests: Your blood can show signs of infection or anemia. Anemia is a low level of iron in your blood. It can mean you have bleeding in the colon or rectum.
    • Stool samples: Signs of infection, parasites , and inflammation can show up in your poop.
    • Imaging tests: Your healthcare provider may need a picture of your colon and rectum. You may have tests including a magnetic resonance imaging scan or computed tomography scan.
    • Endoscopic tests: An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera. Specialized doctors can slide the endoscope in through the anus to check the health of the rectum and colon. Common endoscopic tests include colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.

    Faq: Dietary Management Of Ibd

    How To Deal With an Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up | Fighting Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease

    Information regarding dietary treatments for IBD is often confusing. Many people receive information telling them to avoid entire food groups or specific foods. However, there is no need to avoid foods unless they worsen your symptoms. It is best to restrict as few foods as possible to increase the chances that you are getting a balanced, nutritious diet. This is important for maintaining the function of your digestive tract and your overall health.

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    Understanding The Stress Response

    If someone asked you to describe what it feels like to be stressed, you might describe being on edge or like any minute, the other shoe will drop. But stress is more than an emotional reactionthere are important physiological changes that happen when you are feeling stressed, too, says Lindsay Bottoms, Ph.D., head of the Center for Research in Psychology and Sports Science at Hertfordshire University in Hertfordshire, U.K. Our body responds to stress by releasing hormones which increase our heart rate and our breathing and tense our muscles, she says. Stress essentially prepares us to fight or run away, which is why it is known as the flight or fight response. In cases of imminent danger, this stress response is invaluable, providing the energy to get away from dangerous situations.

    How Is Ulcerative Colitis Treated

    Theres no cure for ulcerative colitis, but treatments can calm the inflammation, help you feel better and get you back to your daily activities. Treatment also depends on the severity and the individual, so treatment depends on each persons needs. Usually, healthcare providers manage the disease with medications. If your tests reveal infections that are causing problems, your healthcare provider will treat those underlying conditions and see if that helps.

    The goal of medication is to induce and maintain remission, and to improve the quality of life for people with ulcerative colitis. Healthcare providers use several types of medications to calm inflammation in your large intestine. Reducing the swelling and irritation lets the tissue heal. It can also relieve your symptoms so you have less pain and less diarrhea. For children, teenagers and adults, your provider may recommend:

    Children and young teenagers are prescribed the same medications. In addition to medications, some doctors also recommend that children take vitamins to get the nutrients they need for health and growth that they may not have gotten through food due to the effects of the disease on the bowel. Ask your healthcare provider for specific advice about the need for vitamin supplementation for your child.

    You might need surgery that removes your colon and rectum to:

    • Avoid medication side effects.
    • Prevent or treat colon cancer .
    • Eliminate life-threatening complications such as bleeding.

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    Ulcerative Colitis And Colorectal Cancer

    Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer often begins as small growths on the inside of the large intestine. The risk of colorectal cancer increases based on:

    • the length of time a person has had ulcerative colitis
    • how much of the colon is affected by ulcerative colitis

    People with ulcerative colitis should have more frequent tests for polyps and colorectal cancer than people at average risk. The gold standard screening test is a colonoscopy. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. This reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Ask your doctor how often you should be checked for colorectal cancer.

    Surgery to remove the entire colon eliminates the risk of colon cancer.

    Drug Therapy For Ulcerative Colitis

    Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Crohn

    Typically, your doctor will prescribe one or more of the following drugs:

    Aminosalicylates These drugs are used to treat disease flares, and can help prevent future flares when taken as maintenance therapy.

    Because they work directly in the digestive system, aminosalicylates have a relatively low risk of negatively affecting other areas of the body.

    Corticosteroids Also known simply as steroids, corticosteroids are used to treat active disease.

    Because of their higher risk of side effects, steroids are usually reserved for moderate to severe disease, and shouldnt be taken for long periods of time.

    Immune System Suppressors These drugs work directly on the immune system to reduce inflammation. Theyre used to treat disease flares, as well as to prevent future ones when taken for maintenance therapy.

    Biologics

    Other types of drugs your doctor may prescribe include:

    Antibiotics If youre running a fever, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent or treat an infection in your colon.

    Antidiarrheal Medication

    Pain Relievers Your doctor may recommend Tylenol for mild pain.

    Iron Supplements

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