Ulcerative Colitis: A Disease Still Unknown

If you or a person close to you has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, you must first understand what this disease is.

Knowing the symptoms helps you to be prepared in case they appear, but also to identify the best strategies to face them every day and enjoy a better quality of life.

It is important to note that  this disease is currently largely unknown. Its causes are still being studied by specialists.

That is why it is good to be informed about ulcerative colitis, in case you could suffer from this condition.

In today’s article, we give you more useful information.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that affects the large intestine, especially the colon. The mucosa of this organ can become inflamed and ulcers can occur that produce mucus and pus.

• Inflammation and ulceration are accompanied by acute abdominal discomfort focused on the area where the colon is located.
• Colon pain can be felt in several regions, such as under the navel, on the left side or on the right side. But the pain always goes away when you lie in bed.
• It is important to note that there is a clear difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These are two different conditions.
• Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis focuses exclusively on the colon and mucosa present in this region.
• Both are inflammatory bowel diseases, but should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, an extremely common condition among women. It affects the muscle contractions of the colon.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis

Most people who suffer from ulcerative colitis mainly complain of recurrent and intense abdominal pain.

The other symptoms you need to consider are:

• You have softer stools and may occasionally suffer from diarrhea. A clearer sign is the bloody stool.
• You may lose weight.
• Feeling tired and lacking in energy are two other common symptoms.
• Children with ulcerative colitis grow and develop more slowly. That is why diarrhea in children should not be ignored.

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis are intermittent. Some people face them twice a month for two to three years until they disappear.

However, it is important to go to the doctor for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment.

Possible causes of ulcerative colitis

Studies on ulcerative colitis show that this disease can occur as a result of the complex interaction between several factors: genetic construction, immune system and environmental elements.

• If one of your parents has suffered from ulcerative colitis, you may also have this disease.
• There are certain substances active in the environment (antigens) that can, in turn, cause this condition.
• The immune system does not know how to defend itself against these external enemies, which is why there is inflammation in the colon.

• Thus, ulcerative colitis can be the result of the interaction between a virus or a bacterial infection of the colon and your immune system.
• This disease affects women and men equally and usually occurs around the age of 30. 

Natural remedies for ulcerative colitis

As mentioned above, it is very important to be diagnosed and monitored by a specialist if you suffer from ulcerative colitis. 

We offer you some simple recommendations and remedies that you can take into account if you need. It is important to know, however, which of them suits your body’s needs.

• Try to adopt a diet as natural as possible, avoiding foods that contain gluten and dairy products. In addition, it is advisable to avoid preservatives and semi-prepared foods.
• Increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber and omega 3 fatty acids (nuts, salmon, olive oil, avocado, etc.).
• Certain lifestyle changes are also needed: keep stress and negative emotions under control, quit smoking, exercise, etc.
• Increases vitamin C intake.
• Drink parsley tea every day to stimulate the elimination of toxins and chemicals from the body.
• Consume natural drinks made from a mixture of mineral water and apple juice, carrots or cucumbers.