What is Colitis?

Colitis is a disorder of the large intestine, (bowel) or colon. It is not common and can range from mild to severe symptoms caused by inflammation, often ulceration or infection of the colon wall. May be known as ulcerative colitis.

What are the symptoms of Colities?

Symptoms of colitis are lower stomach pain, urgency to go to the toilet for a bowel movement, bloody diarrhoea and weight loss. These symptoms can lead to anaemia, dehydration and if severe can cause fevers and feeling quite unwell.

What causes colitis?

This is unclear however family history or ethnicity are thought to be factors. It is possible that the immune system may play a part in that it fails to recognise the good healthy bacteria in the gut as helpful, and reacts to remove it.

How can the symptoms be improved?

Many colitis sufferers can have good control of their symptoms with anti inflammatory medications, steroids and / or immunosupressant medication. In severe cases it may be necessary to remove the affected part of the colon.

Look at your stress levels, take up activities relating to relaxation and exercise
Eat a healthy well balanced diet
Avoid gut stimulants of all kinds - smoking, coffee, spicy foods
Consider sensitivity to certain foods which may be causing the gut to react
Drink plenty of fluids
Reduce or cut out alcohol intake
Meadowsweet or slippery elm tea may help as they calm inflammation

Improve your digestion eating regular, well balanced meals not too large and avoid fluids at mealtimes. Chew your food well, and reduce overall inake of sugar and refined carbohydrates.

Avoid constipation at times when the symptoms are not severe to reduce the chances of irritation - drink plenty of fluids, exercise and make time to go to the toilet, dont avoid the urge to open bowels. Gently gradually introduce fibre (be carfeul with the “rough” kind like bran)