Colitis is also known as colon inflammation. This disease is caused due to prolonged irritation and inflammation of the colon membrane. Chronic ulcerative colitis is a severe prolonged inflammation of the colon in which ulcers are formed on the walls of the colon.
Symptoms include:
- Increased urgency of bowel movement.
- Cramping pains and bloody mucus discharge in the stool.
- Watery stool and continuous rectal straining.
- Loss of blood and fluid from the bowels causing weakness, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and anemia.
- Bloated feeling, constipation, diarrhea or persistent diarrhea for year and insomnia are other symptoms of colitis.
- Patient may appear malnourished and underweight.
Causes of colitis include:
- Chronic constipation causes accumulation of hard faecal matter which is never evacuated properly and causes colitis. Purgatives used to cure chronic constipation only worsen the disease by causing irritation.
- Lack of roughage and carbohydrates cause bowel irritation.
- Intake of antibiotics and severe stress can also cause colitis.
Home Remedies include:
- One or two ripe bananas taken daily is an effective remedy for ulcerative colitis.
- A glass of Buttermilk taken daily is also effective for colitis.
- Tender coconut water is valuable for colitis as it softens the mucosa of the colon.
- Steamed apple aid in healing ulcerative lesions because apples are rich in iron and phosphorus.
- Drumsticks are also good remedy to cure colitis. A teaspoon of fresh leaf juice mixed with honey and a glass of tender coconut water works really great for colitis.
- Thick gruel of rice mixed with a glass of buttermilk and a ripe banana taken twice daily helps soothen the colitis.
- Juice of wheat grass helps detoxify the walls of the colon, it is a perfect enema.
Diets would include:
- Papaya juice, raw cabbage juice and carrot juice are beneficial for colitis treatment.
- Citrus acid should be avoided.
- Steamed vegetables, rice, home-made cottage cheese, porridge, sprouted seeds and ripened fruits like banana, papaya etc. should be eaten regularly as this can be eaten slowly and thoroughly.
- Avoid white sugar, white flour, spicy food and alcoholic beverages, strong tea, coffee etc.
Warm water enema for first five days cleans the bowels. Buttermilk enema taken twice a week helps soothen and re-install useful bacterial flora in the colon.
Complete bed rest is recommended and avoid stress.