Colitis

Symptoms and treatment of colitis

Colitis is a chronic disease of the digestive tract marked by inflammation of the colon. The symptoms of colitis include swelling in the abdomen, intense pain and changes in bowel movements. The general colitis treatment is a combination of anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics. This two-pronged attack is supposed to get rid of the swelling while fighting the cause. Colitis symptoms can be incredibly painful, but they can also be prevented in many cases.

How to Prevent Colitis

Colitis information seems to indicate that symptoms are generally caused by certain types of foods. Trigger foods include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, dried fruits or legumes, meats, refined sugar, high-fiber foods, foods containing sulfur and spicy foods or sauces. Avoiding these will not guarantee that you will not become sick, and not all foods are triggers for all people. Talk with your doctor about what foods may put you at risk and how to avoid them without compromising a healthy diet.

Other Diseases Linked to Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of colitis in which ulcers, or open sores, form on the colon. It is classified as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is must less serious. When active—that is, when ulcers are present—this type of colitis is characterized mainly by bloody diarrhea. Treatment is usually required to push the disease into remission.

Colitis-related headaches are very common and can cause sufferers to feel as if they are suffering from migraines. Possible treatments should be discussed with a medical professional to ensure that any headache medicines taken will not exacerbate digestive symptoms.

Many in the medical community believe that there is a link between colitis and colon cancer. Whether or not this is true has yet to be proven.

As with any disease of this nature, it is very important to keep an open dialog with your doctor. This will not only help prevent related diseases and conditions, but it can also increase your chances of keeping the disease in remission..

While it is always best to discuss your concerns with a doctor, there is a plethora of information about living with and managing the symptoms of colitis online.