What you should know about colitis

Colitis, also called ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes bleeding ulcers in the colon and rectum. Read on to learn more about colitis and some treatment options you might want to try.

With colitis, you may experience symptomatic flare-ups with alternate with periods of symptom-free remission. In mild cases of colitis, patients may have normal bowel movements with a mucous discharge; more commonly, the disease also causes abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea.

• When the disease is severe, violent and persistent bloody diarrhea is accompanied by fever, malaise, loss of appetite and weight and anemia.
• Although colitis may strike at any age, it most often develops between the ages of 15 and 30.
• The cause remains unknown, although infection, the immune system, heredity and diet have all been implicated.

• The first medication usually tried with ulcerative colitis is 5-aminosalicylic acid (mes­al­amine), often in combination with a 5-ASA derivative such as sulfasalazine. These drugs reduce inflammation.
• Patients who do not respond to this therapy are treated with steroids, usually prednisone or hydrocortisone, which can be given orally, through an enema or as a suppository.
• Long-term cortisone therapy can cause weight gain, thinning of the bones and high blood pressure, so patients have to be carefully monitored.
• Because steroids promote the retention of fluids, patients taking these medicines should reduce their salt intake; they may also need extra calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

Modification of the diet is a mainstay of colitis treatment.

• Because people vary greatly in their response to foods, each person must develop an eating plan based on personal experience.
• Fundamental to the diet plan is a food diary that lets the patient connect symptoms to specific foods.
• It is also important to consult a qualified dietitian to ensure good nutrition.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements are often needed to compensate for a restricted diet and possible absorption problems.
• Avoid alcohol in all forms.

Hot liquids stimulate the bowels.

• Drink a cup of herbal tea or a glass of hot water with lemon, or a caffeinated coffee in the morning to help ease the effects of constipation.

Address and treat colitis with this guide and remember to consult your doctor to find an effective treatment.