Colitis FAQ » ulcerative colitis

ulcerative colitis

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: Ulcerative Colitis?
I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis since 2002 and have been taking 6 Asacol a day and sometimes tapering dose of steroids (prednisone) when I have flare ups. I have been reading online about the bad effects of long term use of steroids. I know a few people who have taken steroids for long periods of time. I was wondering if there is any one out there who takes steroids (prednisone and such) as part of their ongoing daily treatment. Please share any experience that you might have.

A: Hi! I was diagnosed with crohns disease 2 1/2 years ago. I am currently taking steroids too, and actually just had to go up with the dose the other day as the tapering started to affect me. i hate being on them as I get a humungous appetite, and my face goes soooooo round i look like a balloon!!! On the same note, I dont have so many effects of my crohns when i am on them. We can never win! when i was first diagnosed, i was taking steroids for a year. So far, even after long term use, i havent had any real bad side effects, my bone density is still ok. the only thing i can really complain about is my weight issue now, but im working on that. Sorry if i havent helped much, but sometimes its nice to just hear from people who share similar experiences. Email me if you want to chat about anything else
bianca.zeni@yahoo.com.au

Cya!!!! xxxxxxxx Bianca

Q: Ulcerative colitis?
My son has just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Has anyone any tips on how to keep it under control? Thanks.

A: Hello,

(ANS) You have come to the right person, please see my website on proctitis & ulcerative colitis. If you have any questions after seeing the site please email me.

http://www.proctitispages.co.uk

Kind Regards from Ivan

Q: ulcerative colitis?
What is Ulcerative Colitis, Looking for Cure.

A: Hi Rajesh

You can heal the condition with the following ideas. Learn about juice fasting/ detoxification and be sure to do a colon and liver cleanse to clean out the toxins in the blood for long term health.

Causes
Colitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor diet and nutrition, food allergies, imbalanced levels of hydrochloric acid, impaired immunity, infections, lack of exercise, “leaky gut” syndrome, pharmaceutical drugs, and stress.

Pharmaceutical Drugs: The following drugs can all cause and exacerbate various gastrointestinal disorders, including colitis: Accutane, Alka-Seltzer Antacid and Alka-Seltzer Pain Reliever, Anturane, Genuine Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Plus Aspirin, Bayer Regular Strength Enteric Aspirin, Bufferin Analgesic Tablets and Caplets, Ceptaz, Clinoril, Cuprimine, Ecotrin Enteric Coated Aspirin, Feldene, Ilosone, Lamprene, Leukine for IV Infusion, Lopid, Marplan, Meclomen, Novantrone, Paraplatin, Piroxicam, Prokine I.V. Infusion, Retrovir, Rynatuss, Supprelin Injection, Suprax, Ticlid, Tolectin, Toradol IM Injection, Trecator-SC, Trilisate, and Voltaren.

Quick Action Plan for Colitis

1. Avoid all sugars, refined flour products, and carbohydrates, milk and dairy products, processed foods that contain preservatives and artificial sweeteners, alcohol, hydrogenated and trans-fatty oils, as well as foods that are common allergens.

2. Emphasize organic, fresh vegetables and non-citrus fruits, organic grains, as well as organic, free-range meats and poultry and wild-caught fish.

3. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day. At least a gallon a day

4. Try the herbal remedy Robert’s Formula.

5. Soothing baths two to five nights a week, as well as sitz baths, and alternating hot and cold water packs placed over the abdomen.

6. Aloe juice; wheatgrass juice; cabbage, papaya, and carrot juice. Avoid all citrus juices.

7. If you smoke, stop. In addition, learn how to effectively cope with and manage stress. Exercise regularly.

8. Replace aspirin or other NSAIDs with safer, more effective natural remedies.

9. Supplement with a multivitamin/multimineral formula and essential fatty acids, especial omega-3 oils.

10. Examine the possibility of withheld emotions as the cause of your symptoms and get support through emotional and physical expression, especially movement therapies such as Qi gong, Yoga or deeper expressive therapies, such as Total Integration release work.

Best of health to you

Q: What helps the symtoms of ulcerative colitis?
Does anyone know if there is a special diet that helps ulcerative colitis? I was thinking of eliminating meat to see if that would help even though people do that for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is a little different. Any suggestions would be great!

A: eliminating meat won’t really help much.. the best things to cut out are fried foods, overly processed foods, popcorn, fake sugars, other veggies that will irritate your stomach too. The sugars to completely watch out for are any that end it -itol like sorbitol which is found in many gums. my nutritionist I had said to avoid these because they cause diarrhea which would definitely not help us with UC. I’d also watch dairy intake. I know that I became fairly lactose intolerant with my UC. Organic foods help tremendously as well since they aren’t processed and they are more natural.

Q: When comparing Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is true?
1.The cause of Chron’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t known.
2. Chron’s disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, whereas ulcerative colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.
3. Patients with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
4. Ulcerative colitis is remitting, whereas Chron’s disease is constant.

A: I have Crohn’s Disease so I’m going on what I have read about them both;

1. False. It’s not known what kicks off Crohn’s.
2. True. I have Crohn’s in both intestine (large & Small) and in my esophagus.
3. Surgery for both can give you years symptom free but can keep coming back, it is not a cure. Trouble is you can run out of intestine to remove after so long.
4. Crohn’s Disease can go into remission if treated.

I hope this helps you!! )

Q: What supplement cures ulcerative colitis the fastest?
I have ordered things like Digesticure and Aloe Elite and I know there are others. I’m just wondering which supposedly cures ulcerative colitis (or digestive diseases) in the shortest amount of time?
Try digestiqure.com if you’re wondering about a cure for UC/Crohns. thats what I am hoping will heal me after I get my current flare under control.

A: I suggest reading the book patient heal thyself

top one

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=patient+heal+thyself&x=0&y=0

the authors healed himself of chrohn and went to dozens of doctors in many countries and spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to heal himself. His dad was even a naturopath…eventually he healed himself and the book tells how and you can see his before and after pictures here

My other suggestion is to do the full incurables save your life program by Dr Richard Schulz which had success. People with digestive ailments like crohn’s and colitis omit the intestinal cleanse #1 and go straight to the intestinal cleanse #2 when doing the full incurables.

Email me and I will send you the links to the manual and 12 videos that detail so much. they are no longer in print and originally cost $435 dollars. Someone put them up for me to refer sick people too but I do not publicly post the link due to the interviewer of Schulze sending cease and desist letter to people getting them removed as he no longer makes money on it I guess so email me this. There is no easy cure for incurable illnesses..a simple supplement will not generally help most people but a comprehensive, lifestyle change will and then some

ulcerative colitis symptoms

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis symptoms. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: would these symptoms be ulcerative colitis ?
16 years old male.
blood in stool here and there. bright red or maroon sometimes.
fatigue, yawning a lot.
harder to get up due to lack of energy and back pain.
no diarrhea, no abdominal pain, no weight loss.
would it be ulcerative colitis ?

A: Everyone is different but these do not sound like typical symptoms. That said, plenty of people present with very atypical symptoms and, rarely, non at all. If your fatigue is due to vitamin deficiencies there’s a chance. Bright red blood means it was pretty low in your GI tract, so it may just be a hemorrhoid. Either way, bleeding like this is certainly abnormal and should be discussed with a medical professional. If some more conventional solutions do not solve your problem you may need a colonoscopy to rule out more serious diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Q: What were your (early) symptoms for ulcerative colitis?
I’ve already done web searches. But I’m looking for personal stories.

A: My dad was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and he now wears a colostomy bag. His early symptoms were; he couldn’t eat anything, i mean anything, without it giving him diarrhea. He also mentioned the fact that it expelled with incredible force. As a result he was constantly tired and dehydrated.

Q: Is ulcerative colitis link with depression?
I want to know if depression can make ulcerative colitis symptoms worse or cause the person to get out of remission of this terrible disease?

A: Anything that causes pain can cause depression. If your hurting physically your going to feel depressed. Now if your depressed and having anxiety, then it can cause the acid in your stomach to build up and thus give you an ulcer. My best friend is suffering from a bleeding ulcer, and her’s flares up whenever she gets upset. She usually ends up throwing up. She also suffers from depression.

Q: How long before Ulcerative Colitis symptoms relieve?
Ok so ive been put on this drug called Salofalk. I was initially prescribed 8 tablets per day. Unfortunatly that did next to nothing. My doctor then prescribed the same drug to be administered rectally with an enema. That was 2 mondays ago so ive used about 11 (1 per day) so far and i havent really seen any improvement. Is there a problem? Should i be seeing results already or should it take some more time?

BTW i apparently have a moderate case of ulcerative colitic and have had it since september of this year.

Thanks

A: 6 months

Q: What are some symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

A: The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Patients also may experience

* anemia
* fatigue
* weight loss
* loss of appetite
* rectal bleeding
* loss of body fluids and nutrients
* skin lesions
* joint pain
* growth failure (specifically in children)

About half of the people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Others suffer frequent fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis may also cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. It is not known why these problems occur outside the colon. Scientists think these complications may be the result of inflammation triggered by the immune system. Some of these problems go away when the colitis is treated.

Hope this helps.

Q: What are the symptoms of Chrons disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
Something isnt right with me lately, (this is my symptoms) I have abdominal pain for 1 month now in the same area (lower right side) and pale yellow diarreah that is sometimes once a day to ten times a day…I am constantly tired and in pain.. they ruled out appendicitis, cysts, a hernia, and bowel obstruction….they think i might have one of these disorders listed above, I have a young baby to take care of and I feel like crap, any information would be greatly appreciated thank you!

A: I would look up either Celiac Disease or since you have a baby: Endometriosis. Look those up. They sound like your symptoms. But don’t worry, these are treatable!

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Q: What symptoms do Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis share?

A: Diarrhea (bloody diarrhea is more common in UC but can appear in CD)
Stomach pain & cramps
Fatigue, dehydration and weight loss

Q: I am suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. What kind of Diet should I go on to alleviate my symptoms?
I have gone to many doctors, and the best solutions they offered were surgery and taking a bunch of pills and suppositories that don’t really work. I don’t know what to do and the symptoms havent gotten better after a month. What should I do?

A: The most important thing to do is to reduce the incidence of diarrhea and blood. Probiotics, especially the sacchromyces boulardii yeast are known to reduce and even eliminate the diarrhea. Research has shown that boulardii up to 6 times a day is important for UC patients. Below are a list of not too many bacteria that are readily available on various websites or a place like Whole Foods.

As far as diet goes you want to minimize the ingestion of sulfur containing foods, especially if you are experiencing rotten egg smelling farts as those kind of farts are indicating that you have a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is a toxic byproduct of protein digestion. Those stinky farts also mean that your body is not properly detoxifying the H2S and will weaken the colon cells. Less meat, less onions and garlic, are important ways of reducing the sulfide precursors.

As far as things to add, make sure that you are ingesting the bifidobacteria listed below and get some Metamucil, which is essentially repackaged Psyllium husks, or Plantago Ovata fiber. The combination of Psyllium and bifidobacteria has been shown to be as effective as the standard pharmaceutical 5-ASA type drugs such as Pentasa or Mensalamine in clinical testing. Go figure $500/month vs. less than $60/month. The combination of 5-ASA, psyllium husk, and bifidobacteria is also beneficial.

As long as you are getting the bifidobacteria, try some oat bran, wheat bran, or brown rice. In in many patients the bran products help reduce inflammation.

There are many things you can to to ease colitis. Review the following list of KEYWORDs and go to http://www.pubmed.gov and type in: “ulcerative colitis” KEYWORD
to see the results of the peer reviewed journals. Here is the list…

lactobacillus and bifidobacteria: Kyodophilus by Wakanuga
lactoabacillus GG: Lactobacillus GG by Culturelle
sacchromyces boulardii: a gut friendly yeast by Jarrow
Pepto Bismol
Fish oil
bromelain
papain
quercetin
boswellia
vitamin C
vitamin E
magnesium in citrate or ionic form: traceminerals.com

The best but unpleasant treatment is a human fecal transplant. In pubmed type in: fecal Borody TJ
and you will see the articles. Download and review and you will learn that some people can be cured of ulcerative colitis. According to Borody, about 1/6 colitis patients get cured. You could be one of the lucky ones. I know folks who are doing well with this treatment.

Secondary possibilities
capric acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)
caprylic acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)

Q: what are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

A: Check out this site.

http://colitis.emedtv.com/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-of-ulcerative-colitis.html

Q: Can you get ulcerative colitis after having colostomy reversal surgery?
I had my surgery about two months ago now, i keep having periods of time with blood in stool and all of the other symptoms for ulcerative colitis but sometimes it will just go away for like a week or few days and then come back again.

A: NO.

My answer assumes that your real question is “can colostomy reversal CAUSE ulcerative colitis?” – the answer is no.

But findin blood in the stool is always serious — you probably do not have ulcerative colitis unless you were previously diagnosed with this condition – it would not suddenly start after surgery. Do not make your own diagnosis like this — this is dangerous, and you may be missing something serious or deadly.

See your doctor right away!

Q: how do you know/what are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

A: Stomach pain & diarrhea maybe with blood.

Q: what were some of your symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

A: sudden or gradual attacks- urgency to defecate, mild cramps in the lower abdomen, and blood and/or mucus in the stool
If the disease is more advanced, you may have 10-20 attacks a day, rectal spasms, fever, and poor appetite.

Q: symptoms of ulcerative colitis

A: what he said

Q: i want to ask about ulcerative colitis what is it,symptoms,treatment?

A: I have it and let me tell you you don’t want it! :/

Q: Symptoms of Crone’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
What are the usual syptoms of these illnesses, how similar are they to each other and how can they be treated? Is ‘bowel removal’ always necessary or can it be managed without having to have this drastic operation? I need as much advice as possible please. Thank you in advance.

A: Crohn’s disease is a chronic transmural inflammatory disease that usually affects the distal ileum and colon but may occur in any part of the GI tract. Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abscesses, internal and external fistulas, and bowel obstruction may arise. Extraintestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy and barium contrast studies. Treatment is with 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, anticytokines, antibiotics, and often surgery.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory and ulcerative disease arising in the colonic mucosa, characterized most often by bloody diarrhea. Extraintestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Long-term risk of colon cancer is high. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy. Treatment is with 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, anticytokines, antibiotics, and occasionally surgery.

diet ulcerative colitis

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about diet ulcerative colitis. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: A diet for Ulcerative Colitis?
I am reading a book called “The Makers Diet” I want to know if anyone has heard of it. I have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I want to take the holistic approach. These antibiotics kill the good and bad bacteria. Is it absolutely necessary to eat Organic Fruit and Vegtables?

A: Yes, I’ve heard of it. When you think about it we were meant to eat what the good Lord provided for us on this earth, not all the chemicals, preservatives and pesticides that are in our food supply. That is why it is so very important to buy and eat organic. People with UC must be diligent about eating wholesome meals. Protein deficiency is common. Buy organic meats. Make sure you get a good variety of fresh vegetables. Juices are very good since they require very little work from the digestive sys. Drink vegetable juices every day. Cabbage juice is particularly helpful in healing ulcerated areas. Eat a cultured product like kefir every day or yogurt if you’re not allergic to dairy. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydraion. Avoid……. refined carbs, white flour, white rice, brown and white sugar. No red meat, fired or greasy foods. No foods high in saturated, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat. Be careful with high fiber foods. No alcohol, caffeine,carbonated or spicy foods. Many people with Crohn’s/UC have undetected food allergies, when they remove these foods ffrom their diets, the disease often completely disappears. Dairy and wheat are common triggers. Aloe vera juice soothes and heals the digestive tract. Enteric coated fish oil reduces inflammation. Digestive enzymes will aid digestion and probiotics will supply friendly bacteria. Peppermint tea is an excellent tonic, chamomile will reduce intestinal inflammation, slippery elm is a traditional remedy for bowel disorders. Oregano can be taken for an infectionthat accompanies Crohn’s. Boswellia has a powerful anti-inflammatory benefit. I hope all this is helpful

Q: Is there a specific diet I should try to stick to since I have Ulcerative Colitis?
I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis for 2 years or so now, and I was in the Air Force where the doctor prescribed me Asacol. Since then I have gotten out and a new doctor put me on Sulfallazine and it worked for a while but I have been in a flare up state for like 3 months now and he put me on prednisone and 6mp. I have been tapered off of the prednisone which helped me with my flare up, and since I have been off it I have been flared up. Is there some sort of diet I can try?

A: I have Crohn’s (13 years of 20) and my gastro has always told me to eat whatever i can tolerate. excluding corn and other hulled veggies. smoothies are the best thing.you can put supplements and such. avoid lots of orange juice though. it’ll really cause diarrhea. of everything i’ve tried, smoothies have been the easiest on my guts. like the last poster said, avoid lots of seeds(strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, black/blueberries)they do not digest. there are so many recipes and you can buy them pre-made. it’s something easy that you won’t get burnt out on. also, while having a flare up, don’t eat raw fruits and vegetables, they are incredibly hard to digest. owww! if you want your 5 a day, cook them down to mush and then chew it very well. or if you can handle it try v8- although it’s rather acidic, and your bowel movements will be red. just keep that in mind so you don’t panic when you go to flush and see red. hope this helps.

As long as you are getting the bifidobacteria, try some oat bran, wheat bran, or brown rice. In in many patients the bran products help reduce inflammation.

Secondary possibilities
capric acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)
caprylic acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)

Q: Ulcerative Colitis – huge diet problem, really need some advice!!!?
Hi there.
History:
I have had ulcerative colitis for three years. I was admitted to the hospital on the 15th of December. I was discharged two weeks ago as the hospital said they cannot do anything more for my recovery.

The drugs that I am on are 40 mg of prednisone (steroid), 3 Imuran pills per day (auto-immune suppressant), and I will be taking my third infusion of Remicade in two weeks (Remicade is a new ‘wonder drug’ that is supposed to do wonders after the third infusion). Drugs haven’t done much yet

My problem is this: I cannot eat anything! Mostly whatever I eat (especially grains, starch, sugars–all normal, prepared foods) makes my bowel movements worse, and I lose a lot of weight. I am on a diet called the Maker’s Diet (just starting Phase 2), but even on this there are many things I cannot have to eat.
Does ANYONE out there have ideas of good foods/recipes that I can have which will be good to my system, but will help me to gain weight?
Thanks if you have any ideas

A: here is a link for you to look at http://www.asacol.com/take-control/ulcerative-colitis-diet.jsp Good Luck

Q: Does diet cause ulcerative colitis (i.e. junk food, fast food, meat, dairy)?
I think my diet & sweet tooth had something to do with me getting UC.

A: hi savory, I have crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease like UC.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has accurate information on how IBD is dxed, what each disease is, how it’s treated, dietary information, surgery, the latest treatments, surgery, plus they have a hotline and a live chat that is run by healthcare experts well versed in UC/CD. They have a forum where you can post questions to others in the same situation as well.

Check out the site to find a local CCFA support chapter near you. You can meet many folks like yourself and swap stories and info as to which hospitals are the best, which GIs are the best, which ones to avoid, plus they have educational meetings where dieticians, drug reps, insurance reps, surgeons, etc. come to educate patients as well as their family/friends about living with IBD.

Here is some info from the CCFA site:

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic (ongoing) disease of the colon, or large intestine. The disease is marked by inflammation and ulceration of the colon mucosa, or innermost lining. Tiny open sores, or ulcers, form on the surface of the lining, where they bleed and produce pus and mucus. Because the inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, symptoms typically include diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and often crampy abdominal pain.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may also involve the entire colon. When ulcerative colitis affects only the lowest part of the colon — the rectum — it is called ulcerative proctitis. If the disease affects only the left side of the colon, it is called limited or distal colitis. If it involves the entire colon, it is termed pancolitis.

hope this helps.

Q: Has you tried the vitamin E enema & diet to CURE ulcerative colitis?
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.
I CURED my severe condition of ulcerative colitis over 25 years
ago with a vitamin E enema you prepare yourself and diet.No other
medication. No problems since.Results within one week.The correct
diet of fiber binds the stool,provides the proper environment for the growth of good bacteria and removes the constant colon
irritation produced by wrong food choices which gives the open
sores a chance to heal.The vitamin E enema works with the body
immune system to heal the colon wall.

The enemas are made from the vitamin E you buy in a drugstore.
Additional infomation at http://www.curezone.com Type vitamin E enema in the upper RIGHT hand corner of the opening page search window

A: Sorry, I wouldn’t touch this…”cure” with a infinity pole. There used to be a big thing about coffee enemas and cancer at one point. It fulfilled it’s goal too. Lots of people wasted thier money on this QUACK “cure”.

Q: Controlling diet for ulcerative colitis patients???
I always thought that nutients and what not are absorbed in the small intestine.
So why do patients with ulcerative colitis (which is in the large intestine) need to watch out about what they’re eating (no fatty foods, sour or hot food,etc). I mean i know that if you eat really hot food even a normal person might get diarrhoea, but i thought that the large intestine is only responsible for absorbing water and minerals/??

So is there a valid reason for discriminating food? And what exactly should you avoid??

A: Different foods promote inflammation; it doesn’t have to touch that part once your body has digested it.

Knee joints aren’t involved in digestion but still get inflamed from RA sufferers eating white bread and cake.

Q: Is cutting out all grains,potatoes,milk and sugar out of my diet going to heal my ulcerative colitis?
will no carbs and homemade yougurt really help me and how long can I stay on this kind of diet?

A: Been there had that, best thing IS natural yogurt

Q: diet for ulcerative colitis?
is there any food i should stop eating??

A: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease in which the large intestine becomes inflamed and ulcerated (pitted or eroded), leading to flare-ups (bouts or attacks) of bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. The long-term risk of colon cancer is increased.
Dietary modification may reduce the symptoms of the disease.
* Lactose intolerance is noted in many ulcerative colitis patients. Those with suspicious symptoms should get a lactose breath hydrogen test.
* Patients with abdominal cramping or diarrhea may find relief or a reduction in symptoms by avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables, caffeine, carbonated drinks and sorbitol-containing foods.
* Many dietary approaches have purported to treat UC, including the Elaine Gottschall’s specific carbohydrate diet and the “anti-fungal diet” (Holland/Kaufmann).
* The use of elemental and semi-elemental formula has been successful in pediatric patients.

Q: Ulcerative colitis and diet question – please help!?
I have had UC for two years now and no medicines have been able to help prevent flare ups. I was so sick three weeks ago that I was nearly admitted to hospital. In desperation I decided to try what a friend had suggested – to cut out all dairy products from my diet. I did, and ever since I have been much better. Has anyone else experienced this, or has anyone excluded any other foods from their diet that has helped them? Thank you,

A: I’ve had UC for 1.5 years and have cut out all dairy, fried foods, raw veggies, hummus and real spicy foods, I have notice a lot of difference but I still have flare ups. I seem to get flare ups due to stress and my emotional state. I take Colazal but it doesn’t really seem to get it completely under control. I am lucky though in that I don’t have any pain with my UC and it is a really mild case. I do drink 6-8 oz aloe vera juice a day and take pro-biotics.

Q: I have had ulcerative colitis for 10 months and am looking for help in treating this disease. Food/diet/meds.?
I have been on Prednisone for several months and recently started on Imuran (azathioprine), however, no improvement has occurred.

I have diarrhea 10-15 times /day, usually very shortly after eating or drinking any liquid.

Would appreciate help (success stories) with food to eat. medications that have worked, diet controls or any information that would help alleviate this problem.

Thank you

A: This is the site doctors go to for help….
Try the main site address also.

Q: a diet for someone with ulcerative colitis?

A: Mnay people with UC find they do better on a diet that rigidly excludes milk and all milk products. Others can’t tolerate fish or some other protein food. A food diary might help you figure out what triggers flareups for you.

During remissions a high fiber diet is supposed to be good, but during flareups, most people are more comfortable with low residue diets. Whatever works for you.

Don’t fear surgery if you are having almost constant flareups, as your life will be dramatically better afterwards. I speak from experience.

Q: Ulcerative Colitis ANYONE? Help with safe foods and diet!?
It’s been almost 3 years, and I have flare-ups at least every 3-4 weeks. I’m on Pentasa, the cortifoam, if you have it, you know the drill.

What are safe foods you can eat that keep you healthy and able to go about a normal life? What foods do you avoid??
**What vitimans or nutritional suppliments help?***
I have been tested for everything from gluten to lactose.
I cannot eat tomato, or oranges, or even the peels of an apple or any fruit. I have been on a very bland diet for the past 2 1/2 years, and this is so hard! Any foods that help or tear you up please list.

Any new medical treatments on the horizon?
(I have to go for another colonoscopy– that was all the doctor could do for me)
This is my 2nd GI and they just say everyone is different.

***PLEASE ANSWER IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS, COLITIS OR CHRON’S***
**please no mean or nasty remarks!**
This is a horrid problem and I’m looking for answers, and kindness
-Does UC ever go away?-is forever
Please share your treatment that your Doctor has given you!
Thank you for the information.
Any holistic remedies out there?

If you have Colitis, please IM me, so I can learn more.
mystic_gift
I want to thank everyone for their answers, and all great ideas and suggestions and sharing your experience with me.
I just saw on tv www.STOPUC.com a new medical trial! i am going to look into it.

Again, thank you and please keep answering and adding information to my questions!

Colitis shouldn’t have to hurt this much!

A: Only you can determine your diet. Everyone is different what may be bad for me may be ok for you. I am really new to this disease, so my knowledge is limited. I am currently taking 3 fish oil pills a day, I eat and Activa yogurt everyday along with taking a pro biotic pill, and I eat 20 fresh or frozen blueberries a day. I also take ascol(sp). I can tell you that I noticed a big difference when I started taking fish oil (my doctor suggested it). I am not sure why the blueberries work, but my mom’s boyfriend has Chron’s and a nurse told him to eat them. I have noticed a difference since I started eating them.

I hope this is not forever, and it does sound like they are getting more treatments for it.

Good luck.

Q: does aloevera helps in flareups of ulcerative colitis?what is a diet in it?Any specific medicine?

A: There are articles you can read on aloe vera and ulcerative colitis (UC) and it certainly looks like it may offer some help in management of the condition:

http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/694/

You might also like to try slippery elm as its muciliganeous properties may be soothing on the bowel. Another one is marshmallow root. Don’t forget also to try Manuka honey:

Read this short article on Manuka honey and UC:
http://www.manukahoneyusa.com/ulcerative-colitis.htm
but if you are diabetic consult your health care provider first.
You might also like to try acidophilus if you don’t take this already:

Acidophilus and UC
http://www.lef.org/prod_hp/abstracts/php-ab_acidophilus.html
However if you are on the drug Sulfasalazine then talk to your doctor first as acidophilus may speed up the metabolism..

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lactobacillus-000310.htm

You should consult a qualified Naturopath/Herbalist in consultation with your doctor as you need to be sure you are getting the correct medical advice alongside any treatment you want to try. UC is a chronic disease and needs the correct management. Don’t give up hope though and try lots of different approaches in agreement with your doctor.

Another article you might like to read on herbs/phytotherapy for UC:

http://www.crohns.net/Miva/education/articles/Crohns_Colitis_Bone_Phytotherapy.shtml

Best wishes.

ulcerative colitis treatment

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis treatment. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: Has anyone tried Dr. Ray Lala’s Back to health mineral treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?
I am 12 years old and have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 2 years ago.
Does anyone have a links for a cure or any information? I am in desperate need of help.

A: Be sure to check into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or SCD. It was written specifically for people with IBD’s. I have Ulcerative Colitis and this diet works wonders for me as well as others. You should be able to come up with plenty on google regarding it. Be sure to read the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gotschall. Good luck!

Q: Is it okay to use Glutamine as a treatment for ulcerative colitis?
I recently recommended to a friend of mine that he use Glutamine as an alternative treatment for his condition because I’ve read a few websites that advised that. I don’t know how reliable these sources are though. Any suggestions?

A: I just did a quick review of the medical literature (via Medline) on the use of glutamine in the treatment of UC. There are several animal studies that suggest its use may be beneficial. Sadly, there are few human studies on this issue.

Glutamine may be worth a ‘clinical trial period’ to see if it helps your mother. You should discuss this with her doctors first.

What nutritional interventions have her doctors used with your mother? What was her response to them?

The literature suggests that long-term use of corticosteroids for UC is very dangerous. Consequently, your mother’s docs should be working very hard to find alternative therapeutic approaches for your mom. If they are not doing so, why not?

Her doctors are getting paid serious money for treating your mom. Demand the best care and efforts from them. If they are not willing to ‘give their all’, find new doctors that will.

Best wishes and good luck.

Q: My nephew is under treatment for ulcerative colitis & taking ‘Ramicaid’ through IV.Food restriction for him?
My 15 yrs old nephew is under treatment for ulcerative colitis & taking ‘Ramicaid’ through IV,Doctor is not much specific about his food and drink intake.What kind of food and drink he should not eat?Tomatoe or other vegetable soup are good for him?Anyone have really a good suggestion for him?Thanks in advance.

A: Self-care
Sometimes you may feel helpless when facing ulcerative colitis. But changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.
Diet
There’s no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It’s a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:
* Limit dairy products. Like many people with inflammatory bowel disease, you may find that problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas, improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can’t digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try substituting yogurt or low-lactose cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar, for milk. Or use an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose.
In some cases, you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If you need help, a registered dietitian can help you design a healthy diet that’s low in lactose. Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you’ll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.
* Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them.
You may also find that you can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, you may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods such as raw apples and carrots.
* Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. These may include “gassy” foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits — especially citrus fruits — spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and soda.

Q: is there any treatment for ulcerative colitis in naturopathy?
Ulcerative colitis is inflamatory condition of bowel.
Is there any book availble on bowel diseases in natruopathy in Hindi

A: yes talk to a naturopathic doctor. thay will lead you in the right direction.

Q: Does someone knows about a cure or a very good treatment for ulcerative colitis?

A: Rest. reducing stress, diet, plenty of fluids, and most importantly check with your doctor for other medical conditions, and medications. This can come and go depending on highs and lows in a persons life. Hope you can get some good and lasting relief

Q: My 14 yrs nephew has ulcerative colitis.Been taking treatment since more then 10 months.Still not improving?
My 14 yrs nephew has ulcerative colitis.Been taking treatment since more then 10 months.Still not improving his symptoms and have mild to severe flareup.Doctors says he can eat anything he want but since I found some information on internet that he should stay away from some certain food.mostly dairy products and may be other too.Any one can give me good suggestion for him in order to control his flare up?Since he is having diaread often all the time he is becoming very weak.I love him very much as he is good kid and I want to help him out.

A: hi web, I have Crohn’s disease, a form of IBD– inflammatory bowel disease, like your nephew. I was dxed at the age of 12 so I can truly understand what he is going through.

Diet varies in each person. What one can tolerate, another may not. Go to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America site and there you will find information regarding IBD in children, diet, surgery, coping skills, the newest treatments, as well as locating a support group where he lives. CCFA also has a camp in the summer time for kids under 18 with IBD.

CCFA also has implemented a hotline that is run by healthcare professionals who are well versed in IBD as well as a live chat M-F 9 am – 5 pm (EST). You or his parents can call/chat to educate yourselves about UC & assist your nephew in coping with it.

Ask the MD if he can recommend a good dietician at a local hospital. The Registered Dieticians are trained in dealing with different dietary needs in people with all sorts of different illnesses. You can also check out the site below and locate an RN near you if the hospital is too far to travel.

My heart goes out to your nephew. I have been where he is…..not being able to be with friends, missing school, being poked and prodded at every angle, and the constant pain. It really helped me when I met others like myself. I didn’t feel so alone plus I made some new friends that I could contact whenever I needed someone who’s actually “been there”.

Some CCFA chapters even have meetings that are geared for teens only. Their educational meetings are really good because you get to meet dieticians, GIs, colorectal surgeons, drug reps, etc. and ask them questions.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions. I wish your nephew the best.

Q: Is there a treatment in homeopathy for ulcerative colitis?

A: No idea.

Personally wouldn’t advise.you.

Q: when did the FDA approve Remicade for treatment of ulcerative colitis?

A: Remicaide was approved for rheumatoid arthritis in 1999 and for ulcerative colitis in 2005. The approval for ulcerative colitis was done based on the studies described here:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/106/108090.htm

Hope that helps!

Q: Ulcerative Colitis treatments…?
I heard steroids make you gain weight. If i have to take a steroid for a treatment for ulcerative colitis, can i avoid weight gain by eating healthy and working out?

A: Depends on your doctor’s treatment. Prednisone is a steroid and in some cases people’s faces become very round and moon shaped. They also can gain weight.

Sulfa drugs can also alleviate ulcerative colitis and most times your physician will give you pain relievers to help you with stomach pains when you have spasms.

Foods do affect uc, and exercise is always healthy, especially if stress is a part of the reason you have uc.

You should get a sigmoidoscopy if you find blood in your stool .

If you don’t take care of yourself , you may end up with either a colonscopy or an illeostomy, if your colitis gets worse.

Best advice is to go to your family gp or someone who specializes in UC and Crohn’s and follow their advice and treatment.

Q: Has anyone tried Dr. Ray Lala’s healing mineral treatment for Crohn’s disease/Ulcerative Colitis?
While I will appreciate other remedies, I am specifically looking for results from the Dr. Lala treatment.

A: hi sm, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Have you checked out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site for information?

They have tons of stuff ranging from diet, newer treatments to put pts. in remission faster, locating a local support chapter, as well as a live chat, a hotline, and an open forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are so many scams out there which will take our hard earned $$$ by offering false promises of a cure.

When a cure is found for IBD, I am sure it will hit the newpapers first as well as our GIs.

good luck to you.

Q: A real treatment for ulcerative colitis and crohn disease?
http://mipagina.aol.com.mx/colitisulcerosa/index.html

A: Take antibiotics to treat it. See: http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/g213.htm

Q: is anyone suffering with ulcerative colitis and having infliximab treatment. Have you found an alternative?

A: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory and ulcerative disease arising in the colonic mucosa, characterized most often by bloody diarrhea. Extraintestinal symptoms, particularly arthritis, may occur. Long-term risk of colon cancer is high. Diagnosis is by colonoscopy. Treatment is with 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, anticytokines, antibiotics, and occasionally surgery.
Infliximab is used to relieve the symptoms of certain autoimmune disorders (conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body and causes pain, swelling, and damage) including:
* rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) that is also being treated with methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
* Crohn’s disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever) that has not improved when treated with other medications
* ulcerative colitis (condition that causes swelling and sores in the lining of the large intestine) that has not improved when treated with other medications,
* ankylosing spondylitis (a condition in which the body attacks the joints of the spine and other areas causing pain and joint damage),
* psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body),
* psoriatic arthritis (joint pain and swelling and scales on the skin).
Infliximab is in a class of medications called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of TNF-alpha, a substance in the body that causes inflammation.

Q: When you feel a flare up of ulcerative colitis coming on, what is the best treatment to stop it in it’s track?
I did the steroids a few years ago but my new gastroenterologist is not a fan of steroids so he put me on 6-mercaptopurine. Since I did not have a flare up for almost 3 years, we stopped the dose but now I feel a flare up coming on and 6-MP takes about 3 months to start kicking in.

What is the best medication to stop the UC and make it go back into remission.

If I go to the Dr, he will just immediately order a colonoscopy. So before I do that, I want to hear what some of you think.

Steroids are horrible. They make your face get huge, they make you hungry, and they make you fat. Also I guess they do something to your bones.

I want to avoid steroids at all costs.

A: well i had ulcerative colitis (i had the surgery done) and from my experience with all the meds, steriods is the only way to stop it immediately. what i did was i did steriods and 6mp at the same time and tapered off the steriods so by the time i was off the steriods the 6 mp would have kicked in. i hated the steriods and they make you have low bone density and it makes them weak.

Q: what is the treatment Ramdevji is giving for ulcerative colitis?

A: this will solve your query and also ordering information is available

http://www.divyayoga.com

Q: Ulcerative Colitis Treatments/Medications?
What are some treatments for the colon disorder called Ulcerative Colitis (UC)? I know Fish Oil and Omega 3 is a good source but I at least need some more treatments given. If possible please list some helpful links

Thanks

A: Ulcerative colitis is a disease identified by ulceration and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine and spreads upward to the entire colon that leads to diarrhea, severe pain in abdomen and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Using carrot juice, cabbage juice, green juices and herb teas is recommended to promote healing of the bowel lining. When eating solid food, chew thoroughly and do not drink liquids with meals. During a flare-up, avoid high roughage foods, which contain skins and seeds, especially popcorns. Avoid pure cooked vegetables until the condition clears up. Emphasize yellow fruits, cantaloupe, pears, watermelon, kelp, agar and cucumbers. Fruits with pectin, such as apples and pears seem especially beneficial. Eat soups, especially vegetable broths. Eat fruits at the end of a meal. White fish is an acceptable source of protein as are any soy foods such as tofu. After an inflammatory episode has passed, emphasizing complex carbohydrates with high-fiber contents has been shown to be quite beneficial.
Suggested reading;

ulcerative colitis surgery

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis surgery. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: Ulcerative colitis surgery – has anyone had surgery to remove the bowel?
If anyone has had surgery to remove their bowel, could you please tell me how it has affected your life? Is your quality of life better after having the surgery, and were there any side-effects? I have had UC for two years and no medications are working. I am not employed at the moment because I’m so sick all of the time, I am seriously considering having the surgery so I can lead a normal life like everyone else. Thank you
Swapan, would you mind please listing the foods that you mentioned made the disease worse? Thank you

A: I have had a few operations and yes you can lead your life forward yet yes there is some changes of course. i had a huge operation at the age of 12 and not knowing all of the out come i have allot of things i wish i would of known and will always have things I wish were different of that I could change( it is life). you have to love yourself and if your sickness is life or death then I say it is your choice(life is always beautiful,smile).
just to say..I’ve never been on this sight b4 but you caught my eye so here I am. To make it short,I am married and I have 4 children and believe that you can do anything,deal with life as long as you start with you.IT”S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Q: what is the ulcerative colitis surgery?
my sister is suffering uc , now doctor ask for surgery , this is possible for normal life after surgery

A: UC surgery has two types that I am aware of. One is the complete removal of the large intestine and colon which results in a cholostomy bag for the rest of your life. The second is a shortening of the large intestine but it remains connected to your colon. Which results in frequent bowel movements due to the shortened intestine.

Both, I believe, are curative, have a high success rate and result in a completely acceptible standard of living afterwards. Good luck to your sister.

A: NO.

My answer assumes that your real question is “can colostomy reversal CAUSE ulcerative colitis?” – the answer is no.

See your doctor right away!

Q: I have ulcerative colitis, and want to join the army after major surgery to get rid of it, could i?
The surgery would be completely removing my colon but then make another out of my small intestine. (I think) But it would completely rid me of ulcerative colitis and I’ll be able to live a regular life once I’ve made it through recovery.

A: Unless it severely hinders your ability to enjoy life, I wouldn’t recommend surgery. If it’s keeping you out of the military, and your doctor says it would best for you, then go ahead. But otherwise, reserve surgery as a last resort.

Q: people who had surgery for ulcerative colitis plz help …???
I have ulcerative colitis for about 5 years and i’m not doing fine right now .. but anyway … what i realy wanna know is how your lives changed after having surgery …and what are the risks of having sugery …. i went into alot of websites about sugery for UC and i can’t understand…!!! they sound like it’s something bad or that your gonna be suffering for the rest of your life of side affects … so i wanna know what is the good side of the surgery and the bad side of it …… ?

A: I have not had this surgery, but my girlfriend did. She was in her early twenties and they could not get her uc under control. She was fired from jobs because of the amount of time she spent in bathrooms basically she had lost control of her bowels.
The decision was made to have the surgery. She said it changed her life for the better and would not change a thing. She got married had children and has led a full and happy life. She has had very few side effects in the 15+ years she has had her J Pouch. Only recently she had to have her bowels re-connected due to an abscess that occurred. She said it was a minor thing, but then again she had always had a very good outlook on life.

I get the feeling from other sites I have read that the majority of people who have had their colons removed are very happy as they can stop being so effected by were and when they might have to use the bathroom.

Good luck to you. I hope you get better soon.

A: I have Crohn’s Disease so I’m going on what I have read about them both;

I hope this helps you!! )

Q: Is surgery a good option if i have ulcerative colitis?
my doctor wants me to get surgery to remove my colon but my parents do not want me to

A: Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestinal tract. In rare cases the extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease may require removal of the colon.
Surgery is also indicated for patients with severe colitis or toxic megacolon. Patients with symptoms that are disabling and do not respond to drugs may wish to consider whether surgery would improve the quality of life. So I think ur doctor must have a proper reason to his decision. better go on with that decision. And taking advice from a Specialist of that field would be a fine idea too.GOOD LUCK!!

A: D.

Q: Ulcerative colitis?
Whoever has had an ileo anal resection, i just recently had the first part of the surgery, (my surgeon does it in three parts) and i was wondering what exactly the second part is supposed to do, i just no i will get an ileostomy on the other side of my stomach.

A: resection of involved segment of the gut with an ileostomy is the aim and your surgeon has planned only he can enlighten you.

Q: did anyone have this surgery Ileoanal or ileorectal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis???
i’m going to have this surgery and i want to know how the surgery went and how recovery was after

A: Ileorectal anastomoses are commonly done in total colectomies for UC. Ileoanals are alot tougher to do and there’s always fecal incontinence to worry about as side effect.

As long as you are getting the bifidobacteria, try some oat bran, wheat bran, or brown rice. In in many patients the bran products help reduce inflammation.

Secondary possibilities
capric acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)
caprylic acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)

Q: What is the death rate for colostomy surgery?
I have ulcerative colitis and have been told that surgery is the only way to rid myself of the disease. The downside is that I will have to live with a colostomy bag. My real fear is not so much having a colostomy, but that I may die from the procedure. I am 29 years old and in reasonably good health aside from my condition.

A: With UC, you’ll have an ileostomy rather than a colostomy (ie all of your large intestine removed rather than just part of it) and believe me, what you’re imagining is far far worse than the reality of living with one actually is There is nothing I can’t do because of my ileostomy (except wear a bikini, but I do go swimming regularly during summer).

As for dieing during the surgery, I’ve been on the net for 10+ years supporting ostomates and never have I heard of anyone dieing during the procedure (and believe me, if anyone had, it would be all over the ostomy internet world – something like that would be big news) so that should tell you something about how rare it is.

Good luck.

Q: Help with Ulcerative Colitis?
My sister has had Ulcerative Colitis for about 10 years now. It is causing her a great deal of pain and distress at the moment. The doctor is now recommending surgery to remove part of her bowel. Obviously she is feeling very low, lacking energy (low iron) and generally awful. I feel completely useless and would like to help. She has two very active children which make life hectic too.

Any recommendations re diet, medication, alternative medicine, relaxation, help with sex – all appreciated.

A: I have worked in the Operating Room with UC patients. Our GI department head is a world reknown UC and Crohn’s surgeon. He gave us a presentation of the miseries of UC. My advice to her is to have the surgery. Our doc tells us that even when his patients end up with temporary colostomies(they come back and get it reversed most of the time), they are much happier than before the surgery. He’s said that a few of them are so happy that they didn’t even bother to get their ostomies reversed.
Once the bad tissue is removed, it takes about a year to feel completely healed. I have had a colectomy for other reasons, and I can tell you that the day my colon was removed was the best day of my life. It had literally been poisoning me for I don’t know how long.
The biggest challenge at first, is finding out what you can or cannot eat. Food will pass through your small bowel pretty fast, so it takes time to figure that out. However, you start getting better all over very quickly. It amazed me, once most of the immediate recovery from surgery was over- I felt better.
The surgeon she should see is Mark Koruda, at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC. He’s an amazing surgeon who takes great care of his patients. People come from all over the place to have him do their surgeries. If your sister can’t leave the area, then contacting Dr Koruda may help her find the best local doctor for her. He knows alot of people and has trained a lot of great GI surgeons.

Q: My 22 year old husband has Ulcerative Colitis….?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine.

He found this out at the ER. The ER Doc referred him to a DR> which can’t get him in until the end of next month…and it will cost $245 just for the visit….we have no health insurance and CAN’T afford it…. he will most likely have to have surgery…What can we do to get him help…

We live in North Central, Arkansas…

Any info will be helpful

A: If he was an illegal alien, he could get free health care here in Dallas.

Q: I have Ulcerative Colitis. Does this mean that I will get Colon Cancer?
Hello. I was diagnosed with mild-moderate Ulcerative Colitis just two days ago. Being diagnosed and told that there is no cure (except maybe with surgery) really bummed me out. But as I read on about Ulcerative Colitis, I see that I am at higher risk of getting Colorectal Cancer.
To my knowledge, there is no family history of Colon Cancer but I’m sure that that makes little to no difference.
So is it likely that I will get colorectal cancer? And what can I do to prevent this?

Thanks in advance.~

A: Hi there – I have UC and I’m not sure what the%’s are of increase but there is an increased risk. From what I remember it is not a dramatic increase unless of course you leave your UC untreated. The best thing you can do is to check out Elaine Gottschall’s book Breaking the Vicious Cycle and also look up the Specific Carbohydrate Diet on the internet. The diet while pretty restrictive, has healed me once. I strayed away from it though when I became symptom free and it has now returned. I am going back on the diet immediately. Please consider how important diet is to your condition. Not very many gastros want to talk about this for some reason, they just start prescribing medicine. Please please check out this diet. It is hard – I’m not going to lie to you, but it did fix things for me. I just didn’t stick with it. Good luck and feel free to email me if you want any further information!

ulcerative colitis cure

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis cure. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: Are there any natural medicines that can cure ulcerative colitis?
1,4000 mg a day of asacol. 100 mg a day of mercaptopurine. 1mg folic acid a day. 1 Multi-vitamin and 350mg iron per day. Keeps you stable. Does not stop the colon from bleeding. Anti inflammatory steroids good for short term, for long term very dangerous. Side effects are really nasty. Any natural medicines out there to be proven to cure ulcerative colitis or to help the colon stop bleeding completely? Please don’t mention colectomy (removal of the colon). There has to be something before resorting to a last resort decision. Thank you.

A: I took asacol and it made my condition worse (more anemic) and I had the modified parks procedure (j-pouch) 3 years ago. I am much healthier and would do it all over again (surgery) if I had to. I was close to having a blood transfusion done and my colitis was so bad that they told me that I had a high chance of developing colon cancer in 10 yrs if I didn’t have the whole colon removed. There is no colostomy bag and I lead a normal life (more than when I had U.C). There are support groups out there that can give you more insight and people who have had the procedure done (I still attend them)..I know you didn’t want to know about this procedure but my ulcerative colitis was downright nasty and I tried to take the route of medicine.

Q: Is there any researsh going on to cure Ulcerative Colitis?
I have UC for about four and a half years now i get flairups from time to time but still i’m not living a normal life coz of the UC … so I realy wanna know if there is any researshes going on from any part of the world to cure UC just to give me some hope to feel a litel better

A: there are some clinical trials just search for them on the c omputer, my mother has uc and was diagnosed in the 80’s with it, at the time it was so “new” to the doctors and she lived in such a small town there was very little therapy to help her, she ended up being on a lot of steroids and asacol, she is now in “remission” and has been for about 17 years. She goes every year at least for a colonscope to check for cancer and flare ups.

she told me the other day (they think my child has chrons which she also has) that the best way to get it under control is to find the times of day where u have to “go” and time your eating habits around it to train your body she also is not on any medicaton for it at the time. she does take a laxitive every day to keep things flushed out.

its a hard disease to live with, and to beat it all when we found out she had it we thought that was it, they put her on so many experimental therapis it wasn’t even funny, including chemotherapy. My father at the time had been prepared to have to raise me, and it turned out she went into remission and he passed away about 2 years later.

good luck, find a good gi doc at a major medical center, there is hope!

Q: Can Pranayam / Pranayama cure Ulcerative Colitis? ?
Hi,

Has any one heard of Swami Ramdev being able to cure Ulcerative Colitis in any patients by doing Pranayam? If you have, are there any sites where I can read the testimonials. Any information is helpful. Thanks.

A: That is a type of yoga right? I had UC for 5 years before they removed my colon. No doctor ever asked me to try it, but I was a really really sick kid, no meds ever worked for me. That would be an interesting thing to try, hopefully it helps someone, living with UC is not fun.

A: I suggest reading the book patient heal thyself

top one

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=patient+heal+thyself&x=0&y=0

ulcerative colitis flare

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis flare. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: Do Ulcerative Colitis flare ups go away?
Asking for a friend which was diagnozed with Ulcerative Colitis. Does eating very healthy during flare ups and taking medication make the flare up go away? Are they life threatning? How to prevent one from occurring again?

A: Ulcerative Colitis starts as something else, perhaps IBS or just Colitis, inflammation of the lining of the intestine. As to why it becomes inflamed, well that is the answer! If you can avoid foods, drink, environmental factors, perhaps stress, eat the right food, get fresh air and exercise then you should never end up with Ulcerative Colitis, just bouts of Colitis. When you get to Ulcerative stage, whatever you have done, wrong food, stress, really has upset the system. Yes they can be life threatening as if the ulcers bleed and you have enough of them, well you could bleed out. Likewise you are facing cancer later in life if you do not get a grip on the causes. The hard work starts with trying to figure out what the trigger, cause is and avoiding it. The only way to do this, keep a Diary and everyday write down what you ate, what you drank, what you did, stress on a 1-10 scale. Keep this up and when you have a few bouts of Ulcerative Colitis you will be able to see the common thread, be it food, stress……… Then you need to avoid that trigger.

Q: Remicade: How long to clear up an Ulcerative Colitis flare??
I have Ulcerative Colitis and just started my first treatment of Remicade (IV) yesterday, which will be given every 8 weeks instead of the medication I have been taking for the past 7 years. I have had Remicade infusions before but it was along with steroids. My question is asking if anyone knows how long it should take for the Remicade to start “healing” my flare-up. I have been bleeding for 2 weeks. Like I said, I have been responsive to Remicade before but it was along with steroids so I don’t know which was working at what time. I am just now beginning the every 8 weeks treatment. Before, I was given 3 treatments at once, like they do for Crohn’s patients.
I am just on my regular medication now, no prednisone (that was fall 05). As far as how bad my disorder is, I have always responded to medication but have flare-ups (bleeding) every 6 months-1 year (not having Remicade infusions, just other pills)

A: I am scheduled for my first infusion to treat Crohn’s on July 5. I have been told by others in my support group, and I have also found through my own reseach and in talking to doctors, that one of the purposes of using Remicade as a treatment is to get you off of steroids. Steroids are not a long term treatment for IBD. Immunomodulators taken at the same time as Remicade can give an added benefit to the treatment of Crohn’s, but steroids don’t. The effect is different in different people and can work within a few days (which I am hoping for) or can take up to a few weeks. You have to watch carefully for side effects and infections as there is a greater risk when taking Remicade. Also, because it resembles human DNA by only 75%, your body has a higher chance of building anti-bodies against it. Since you have taken Remicade once before, the chances of you having anti-bodies and the medicine not working at all is very high. Monitor this with your doctor. Good luck with your treatment. It is not fun having a flare.

Q: Anyone know any natural cures for Ulcerative colitis flare-up?
Taking asacol, 6mp, prednisone, and colocort. Any ideas what else could work?

A: Try to eat more fiber and drink less beer.

Q: is asacol used in supressing a flare-up for ulcerative colitis or is is just to stay in remission.?
Im confused about this becuause my doctor gave me Asacol for my ulcerative colitis and i am having a flare up now. Is there another medicine i should be taking for my flare up?

A: Sorry about this problem you are having!! My father too has this. Unfortunately, that is the most recommended by some doctors. If you seriously want to get rid of this problem it may be worth going to a Natural doctor who uses all natural products with no chemicals or toxins!! An Herbalist or even a good Chiropractor would know exactly how to heal and get rid of this problem and cure you.

Please give it a try, don’t settle for anything but all natural treatment if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck to you

Q: Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up?
I have having a really bad flare up with lots of blood. I have NO insurance. There is no county hospital here. I have been tired w/chills. What should I do? Will the ER just give me steriods and send me home to get sick again?

A: Unfortunately you probably will need to go to the ER since your flareup is this advanced and they will probably give you a type of steriod. Once you have this flareup under control, I suggest you take all natural Optiflora regularly and it will treat the cause and not just the symptoms. My daughter-in-law had these horrible flareups and would end up many times in the hospital due to dehydration and they would usually give her Prednisone (sp?). She started taking the Optiflora and it helped her tremendously. It actually started healing the lining of her intestines and colon.

Optiflora is a two-product system that includes Probiotic (Bifidus & Acidophilus…microflora) + Prebiotic (FOS…food source for microflora). Patented guaranteed delivery of 500 million microflora to intestines and colon.

Hope this is helpful and feel free to contact me with questions.

Q: How would you quell an ulcerative colitis flare besides steroids?
I have had colitis for a little over 2 years and have tried a few different drugs and im currently on remicade. I take Digesticure as a supplement as well as take some fish oil/probiotics stuff. I’ve also tried Aloe Elite in the past. Although I think the digesticure will work in the long run, I’m in the middle of a flare so it’s hard for anything to get absorbed. I’ve been using immodium too to try to stop the diarrhea. I Just started 40mg prednizone but it only masks the symptoms for a while. Any advice to stop the immediate flare? Any diet suggestions while in the flare?

A: For remedies:

One or two ripe bananas taken every day are one of the most effective home remedies for ulcerative colitis. Being bland, smooth, easily-digestible and slightly laxative, they relieve the acute symptoms and promote the healing process.

A glass of buttermilk taken daily is another effective remedy for colitis. It is the residual liquid left over after the fat has been removed from curd by churning

Drinking the water of one tender coconut daily has been found valuable in colitis. It is soothing to the soft mucosa of the colon.

Steamed apples also aid the healing of ulcerative lesions because of their ample concentration of iron and phosphorus.

Drumstick leaves are also useful in colitis. A teaspoon of fresh leaf juice, mixed with an equal quantity of honey and a glass of tender coconut water, is given two or three times daily as a herbal medicine for the treatment of this disease.

Rice has a very low fibre content, and is, therefore, extremely soothing in colitis. A thick gruel of rice mixed with a glass of buttermilk and a ripe banana, given twice a day, forms a very nutritious, well-balanced diet in this disease.

The juice of wheat-grass (a grass which grows after sowing wheat grains in the earth) used as an enema, helps detoxify the walls of the colon. The general procedure is to first give an enema with lukewarm water. After waiting for twenty minutes, 90-120 ml of wheat-grass juice enema is given. This should be retained for fifteen minutes. This enema is very helpful in disorders associated with colitis. Wheat-grass can be grown at home in earthen pots if it is not available through dealers.

Diet for Colitis:

Papaya juice, raw cabbage juice and carrot juice. Diet plays an important part in the treatment of colitis. It is advisable to observe a juice fast for five days or so, in most cases of ulcerative colitis. Papaya juice, raw cabbage juice, and carrot juice are especially beneficial.

Avoid Citrus juice

Have steamed vegetables, rice, home-made cottage cheese etc
After the juice fast, the patient should gradually adopt a diet of small, frequent meals of soft cooked or steamed vegetables, rice, porridge, broken wheat, and well-ripened fruits like banana and papaya, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese. Sprouted seeds and grains, wholemeal bread, and raw vegetables may be added gradually to this diet after about ten days. All food must be eaten slowly and chewed thoroughly.

Avoid white sugar, highly seasoned foods, alcoholic beverages
Foods which should be excluded from the diet are white sugar, white bread, and white flour products; highly seasoned foods; highly salted foods; strong tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages; and foods cooked in aluminum pans.

Other Colitis treatments:

Warm-water enema. During the first five days of the juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm-water enema

Buttermilk enema. A buttermilk enema taken twice a week is also soothing and helps in re-installing useful bacterial flora in the colon.

Complete bedrest and avoid stress. Complete bedrest is very important. The patient should eliminate all causes of tension and face his discomfort with patience.

Q: I’m on the verge of having a flare up with Ulcerative Colitis and I was wondering what can I do to prevent it?
Ulcerative Colitis

A: See your doctor and make sure you are taking your Asacol/Pentasa/Dipentum or whatever else you should be taking to prevent a flare-up. A severe flare-up might need a course of steroids.

Truth is you need medication for a flare-up of UC, and you need to start treatment as early as possible. Dont sit on it. See your doctor.

What is the best medication to stop the UC and make it go back into remission.

If I go to the Dr, he will just immediately order a colonoscopy. So before I do that, I want to hear what some of you think.

Steroids are horrible. They make your face get huge, they make you hungry, and they make you fat. Also I guess they do something to your bones.

I want to avoid steroids at all costs.

Q: Can tension flare up ulcerative colitis?

A: It sure does for me. I’ve suffered with this for 15 years and while some doctors will tell you stress does not effect it, there is no doubt in my mind that it has and does!

Q: Ulcerative colitis sufferers, what helps you from getting flare ups besides standard medication?
It seems that something will work for a while, boswellia for one, but later lose its’ efficacy.
The question has nothing to do with weight

A: try and live a all around healthier life.
eat right, exercise, sleep well, ext.
and try to keep your stress Level down.
this works for me

Q: i’m 28 weeks pregnant and my problem of ulcerative colitis has flare up from last 2 weeks.?
i’ 28 yrs.i consulted my gastronologist who suggested me mesacol(thrice a day), rabemac(empty stomach), and gitzer(once).whant to know is these medicines are safe to take during pregnancy? my hb has fall 7.4.is this problem of ulcer can create any kind of bad effect in fetus or problem during delivery?

A: Before taking any of this medication, I would talk with your OB/GYN and see if there are any side effects of this medication.

Q: my ulcerative colitis is flaring up and i am getting a cold?
if anyone has any tips or natural remedies on making feel better i want to feel better for new years eve.

A: I’ve cured my own colitis by radically changing my diet.

I suffered from gradually worsening colitis symptoms for years. I finally got diagnosed over two years ago, and my doctor told me that I would have to go on pills.

I refused, and continued to suffer for some time until I found an interesting books that stated that it was diet that causes colitis, which a doctor will tell you is untrue.

I decided to give a raw food diet a try, and within a few weeks all my my symptoms were gone. It was a very specific raw food diet, however.

I’ve written about what I did here:http://www.raw-food-health.net/ColitisCu…

You won’t find any relief from a doctor or their pills. Clean up your diet, and over the long run, you’ll get rid of your colitis permanently.

Q: does anyone ever had ulcerative colitis flared up during pregnancy .or ever taken any steroids in pregnancy?
i am pregnant and take pentasa tablets but now i am having a bad flare up and the doctor prescribed prednisalone 40 mg.it is my 9th week and i am very worried to take it as what effect it will have on my growing baby.please if anyone ever had taken prednisalone while pregnant and had healthy baby please share your experience with me.if u have any info pls let me know

A: I also have ulcerative colitis and i’m now 27 weeks pregnant. At my first ante-natal appointment at the hospital, they told me that if i had a bad flare up during my pregnancy, prednisolone was fine to take and would not harm the baby, and it was better for the baby to get well quickly by using them than prolong the flare up.
I had a slight flare up at about 4 months, and i was told i could use predfoam enemas without worrying too, and these are also prednisolone. Luckily i got the flare up under control pretty quickly, and am now just trying not to stress and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy.
I have also stayed on all my other uc medication throughout as the doctors said it was safer to stay on it than risk a flare up, and all the scans and tests show he is doing just fine.
Hope you get better soon.

Q: I have ulcerative colitis and coffee is the only thing that makes my condition flare…?
I love coffee and I want to drink it but it makes me sick to my stomach and give me diarrhea sometimes. I’m on medication (mercaptopurine and asacol) but that doesn’t stop the flare ups. Coffee is sooo delicious. Does anyone know of anything that can stop this effect (besides not drinking it and avoiding it?)

A: try eating coffee flavored things instead

Cya!!!! xxxxxxxx Bianca

ulcerative colitis pain

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis pain. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: What do you do about the joint pain associated with ulcerative colitis?

A: I have Ulcerative Colitis, and i bought one of those “Tens” machine,which give out tiny electrical discharges,their really good for joint pain, a little expensive, but what the heck, but they really work without taking any tablets.then no side effects from medication. go get one, there worth every penny.

Q: Around once a year I get extreme pain in my abdominal area, followed by a stool. Ulcerative colitis?
It feels like something is jammed in my intestine, and is extremely painful. The pain episode lasts around 3-5 minutes total, and is completely gone after the passing of a stool. Again this only happens around once a year and I’m trying to figure out what it could be. This happens with any food, typically with bbq, but doesn’t occur with every bbq. Any suggestions?
The stool is loose, and does not contain blood.

A: No not ulcerative colitis or it would bother you more than once a year. I know a guy who has it and he has to watch his diet very carefully or he’s in pain. I suggest you see a Gastrointerologist who specializes in this area.

Q: Do you have ulcerative colitis and joint pain?
I have done a lot of research and find that there is just too much to read. I would just like to hear from a few people with the disease…

I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS:

1) Do you suffer from joint pain in conjunction with ulcerative colitis? IF SO, HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT?

2) WHAT TIME OF DAY IS IT THE WORST? (For me, it seems to be at night.)

3) DOES ANYONE TAKE ASACOL AND/OR 6MP (aka Mercaptapurine or Purinethol) FOR MAINTAINANCE? These are the drugs I take. I was under the impression that these drugs help to keep my intestines “calm”. Is it possible that they also help keep my joint pain down too? Admittedly, I’ve been lax in taking my meds lately and have noticed joint pain. Is it possible that my meds were alleviating the joint pain and I didn’t notice it until I got lax in taking them?

Thank you for your time answering this : )

PS I see a doctor regularly. I will be seeing him in a few months. I just wanted to hear from people in similar circumstances.

A: In 1980 I attended an engagement party in a local pub and they hasd a buffet, usual things, pies sausages on sticks, that sort of thing. I ate a chicken leg and when I got to the middle it was still frozen. I spat it out and complained. Next night I got the most awful pains and had to keep visiting the toilet, up to 20 (yes twenty) times during the night. Eventually I went to the doctor who sent me to hospital. I had contracted Salmonella and Campylobacter poisoning from the chicken. I was in hospital for a month and off work for 6 months. I lost 3 stones in weight and felt awful. I was on 16 different tablets a day including prednisolone and steroids. This left my intestines in a mess and I developed ulcerative colitis. Since then I have to take 6 Asacol tablets a day for life and have regular colonoscopys. The tablets are to stop inflamation of the colon and thus prevent cancer developing. I’m fine now but still take the tablets. My elbow joints ache but I put that down to tennis elbow that I contracted years ago. Asacol is not meant to keep your intestines ‘calm’ but stop inflamation. As far as the pain is concerned I have learned to live with it but if it gets too bad just take a couple of paracetamols. Don’t stop taking the Asacol no matter how well you feel and best wishes for the future. If you live in England you can join NACC (National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) who give you lots of information and support. Look it up on the web.

By the way it was three years before I ate any chicken again.

Q: Does anyone have ulcerative colitis and joint pain, if so, what treatments help the joint pain?
i have had ulcerative colitis for aver 3 yrs now. I am 20 years old and relatively healthy and not overweight. i find it ridiculous that at 20 sometimes it literally pains me to comb my hair or go downstairs. i have been suffering with this pain for the last 6 months or so, is this most likely related to my u.c. and has anyone ever tried having their joints injected with steroids? my uncle used to be a doctor n suggested that doing that on a regular basis may be the only way to truly find relief.
PLEASE HELP!

A: i have ulcerative colitis too. my main problem is the joint pain.

it is so horrible it can not move at all.

i can understand what you go through. my medications that is used to treat UC helps with the pain as well. Basically when i am in remission my pain goes away. when the disease flares up, the joint pain comes back. i have to take painkillers for that.

Talk to your doctor about this. he/she might prescribe painkillers. steroids are not the best thing. i would say avoid that.

Q: My sister has ulcerative colitis and cannot afford medication, now she is in extreme pain?
does anyone knows about cheap medication use to treat ulcerative colitis, she is only 19 years old, iulcerative colitis medication I’m so worried about her and she doesn’t do anything to help herself.

A: Nowadays, most pharmaceutical companies offer help to people who can’t afford their medications. Your sister will need her doctor’s help to set this up, however, because the doctor will need to fax copies of the prescription and such to whoever gives the assistance. Call her doctor and talk to the nurse about prescription assistance. You’ll need proof of income for your sister, and since she is over 18, she’ll have to be willing to do this or there’s really nothing you can do. Maybe if you made some calls for her and got some information, she’d be more willing to jump in and help herself. Hope I was able to help – good luck to you both.

P.S. – You’re a good sister to worry about her – she’s lucky to have you!

Q: Is there anything that I can do to releive cramping pain from Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis?
I am 8 weeks pregnant and am taking Pentasa for my diseases. Please help, the pain is so bad that I have to be off work for the next two weeks on bed rest.

A: Try Himalayan Goji Juice. I have a friend in his 60’s that has had Chron’s for years, plus he also has leukemia .
He has tried everything.
He was overdosing on his pain meds and was considering suicide due to the pain. His brother worked with a guy that was a distributor of Himalayan Goji Juice and bought a bottle for him. Immediatley he noticed his pain went away. He has been taking this juice for 4 months now and has reduced his meds to half of what was actually prescribed. He is gaining weight for the first time in years. And he actually goes out now. (Before he was so miserable that he hated to leave his house). He was still taking his meds to control his diarrhea with the Goji and he actually ended up so constipated that he had to go to the hospital to get flushed out. So his doctor was able to pull him off his diarrhea meds for the first time since he was diagnosed. Also, he recently had his blood work done, and the doctor said that he has never seen my friends blood look so good.
Himalayan Goji juice is perfectly safe for pregnant women. In fact, it helps relieve a lot of pregnancy discomforts (i.e. morning sickness).
Here are some links to find out more about Himalayan Goji Juice: www.natureshealthsecret.freelife.com
www.gojihealthstories.com (to read more peoples stories on Chron’s disease)
www.learnaboutwellness.com (to see a video study done by a Johns Hopkins doctor on how goji repairs your blood)
www.pubmed.com (type in Goji’s latin name “lycium barbarum” to see 75 scientific studies proving Goji works)

Q: i have severe pain due to pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis. Does anyone suffer from this? I am filing for ?
disability because I cannot work. Any suggestions regarding these conditions?

A: I have had pancreatitis and now I have crohns, god do I fight every day of my life, like today I’ve been sick all day, but you know since I got remicade I have been sick, if you like, you can email me at m.alvarado0862@yahoo.com, I know how you feel, or you on disability? please write, if I don’t answer tonight I will write you tomorrow,or try to join our group for info…crohns-owner@yahoogroups.com my name is melissa

Q: Ulcerative Colitis?
I was just recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and was wondering if anyone on here has any tips for easing the pains and cramping? I’m out of the pain pills the Dr. gave me and it hurts really badly. I’m still on all the other meds but they don’t seem to be helping.

A: I know too well about this. You could try Beano or Gas-X in the hopes that it will provide some control over gas, which is quite painful by itself. Yeah, I Know it’s like putting a band-aid on a severed limb, but anything that helps a little. Don’t know what meds you got, but the enema type seems to work the quickest-you’ll just have to bite the bullet -its better than feeling like you do now.
By the way, don’t take NSAIDs-not good for people with UC. We have immune system issues, and you don’t want to take a salicylate type med with your meds. Plus, they thin your blood, and don’t want to do that if you are bleeding.
Don;t know if you are doing this yet, but try a food journal for awhile to see if some things bother you more than most. And try stress relief activies-whatever works for you. I Know this sounds stupid, and it isn’t the root cause of the disease–but believe you me, the wrong couple of foods, and stress can really cause a flare-up, and you want to get to a remission-that’s when relief will come. For me, I can’t eat much citrus fruit, spicy food, and when I am symptomatic stuff like salad kills me too.

Q: Do you or someone you know struggle with the pain of Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
I was diagnosed 15 years ago, and this year I’m fighting back by riding my bicylce 210 miles in 3 days. To find out more, or to support me on this journey please visit www.ibdride.org/arwyatt

A: hi doc, i am a female crohn’s survivor dxed at the age of 12. Currently going in for outpt. surgery to have a fistula closed with surgical glue and stitches.

I hate this illness and wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. I am a local CCFA volunteer for our chapter but I had a stroke 3 yrs. ago so I can’t do much now.

Anyway, thank you for doing your part to bring attention to this disease. I hope to see a cure before too long.

God Bless You and may you have a successful ride and a long remission!!!

Q: Is it normal for Ulcerative Colitis drugs to cause pain?
I’ve taken Asacol, Dipentum, Lialda and Colazal and all these drugs make me have bad stomach cramps, really bad smelling gas, and an urgency to run to the bathroom every few hours. When I am taken off these drugs, I feel fine. However, my doctor says that I need to stay on them. Are these drug interactions normal?
I have Ulcerative Colitis.
Oh yeah, and I am only taken these drugs in very small doses.
To answer the first question below, yes, we are pretty sure it’s Ulcerative Colitis. I had two different doctors give me two colonoscopies five years apart from each other and they both said it looks like UC.
Plus, I once also took Remicade (which is used to treat Crohn’s) and that didn’t work for me either.

A: Is the diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis definite? My Dr originally thought I had Ulcerative Colitis, but it turned out to be Crohn’s Disease, and when I was on the drugs for Ulcerative Colitis, I had those same symptoms. (turns out alot of people with CD have awful smelling gas as a result of the disease). It is sometimes difficult for the diagnosis, because CD and UC are so similar. Just some food for thought…

Q: I have Ulcerative Colitis taking asacol 4mths.Just quit a week ago and have bad tum pain.is this the asacol ?
Have been in flareup for months so Dr and I thought maybe asacol was not helping but perhaps even making it worse .Brother has crohns.

A: I have no information regarding asacol. But wanted to provide you with another option for treatment in case you had not heard of it. It is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or SCD. There is a book called Breaking The Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gotschall. Please consider this diet, do internet searches -there are support groups and message boards out there. It has been a livesaver for me (and many others) as I have Ulcerative Colitis. Best of luck to you!

Q: I have had lower left sided abdominal pain they told me it could be ulcerative colitis could it be?

A: You are pregnant.

Q: Is There Any Way to Safely Consume Alcohol with Ulcerative Colitis?
I’m a 20 year old male with ulcerative colitis. Being my age, all my friends go to parties and have a good time drinking while I’m stuck being the designated driver all the time. Is there any safe way to drink with my friends without regretting it in the morning with horrible pain? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A: Yes…. put a gun to your head first…… why would you want to drink that rot-gut just to be accepted….

Be your own person…. First…. and that means doing what is best for you.

what is ulcerative colitis

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about what is ulcerative colitis. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: How many people have heard of Krohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
I do a lot of work to bring about awareness of Krohn’s Disease (which I have) and Ulcerative Colitis, so I was wondering how many people really know what it is. If you do, where did you learn about it? If you know someone with either would you be willing to share a story about it with me? Especially if the person is younger, like me and the people I talk to about it…Do you have any questions about it you would like to ask me? Thanks so much!
*Crohn’s, sorry for the mispelling, it was a typo

A: I have known a few people with Crohn’s disease, and with Ulcerative Colitis. There are a couple of groups on Yahoo that can help you meet others with the disease, and can help you with symptoms, medicines, and other issues. I joined a group for IBD and it really helps with food choices, and figuring out what to expect.

Q: Is there any other way to help my ulcerative colitis without medications?
I have ulcerative colitis and i was going to the doctor, but the medicine was not doing me any good, it actually felt worst. I don’t kno what to do this is a horrible thing to have i feel like i can’t go out like normal people for a long time because im always going to the bathroom any advice would be very much appreciated thanks

A: I know exactly how you feel. The medicines my doctor prescribed actually made my symptoms worse and the Prednisone made me puff up like a balloon. At a certain point I began wondering what it was that had caused me to have UC in the first place, and I became a little wary of flooding my body with chemicals.

Unfortunately the dietary changes and even naturopathic treatment didn’t work for me either.

I eventually decided to see a therapist. I just went to my college’s counseling office–they weren’t even experienced with my condition. What my counselor was experienced with, though, was students coping with stress. It was in that office that I finally began to understand my condition as very (maybe even mostly) stress related and induced.

The act of talking to someone about everything I had going on in my life really helped. She was also able to suggest some things I could do to become less stressed, such as getting better at saying “no” to commitments my schedule couldn’t handle, even if I really wanted to be involved. I dropped a class and took more “me” time. And I haven’t had a flare-up since. I’m off meds and in remission, and so happy to have my body back.

I would suggest you find a counselor. If it doesn’t help manage your symptoms it will at least help manage your psychological health while coping with the condition.

Best of luck. I feel you.

Q: What are the odds of two women unrelated living in the same household developing Ulcerative Colitis?
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007. Now, my domestic partner is starting to show symptoms. Could there be an environmental cause to UC? Or is it we are just a statistic that is improbable, but not impossible?

A: Ulcerative colitis is not contagious. Environmental factors are not definitive. So it seems that it’s a statistical coincidence. Some bacterial infections show similar symptoms to UC. Lab samples can provide a diagnosis.

Q: How can I help my wife deal with her Ulcerative Colitis?
My wife is 32 and has always been in great condition. Works out 3 times a week. Eats right. 6 Months ago she started having digestive problems. She had scopes done. And was diagnoised with Ulcerative Colitis. In the past 3 months it has been very severe. She has been in the hospital 5 times. And has had to leave her job. She is very depressed and I am very worried. Any ideas on what I can do to help her through this. Thank You

A: First of all be patient. I have dealt with quite a few people with this problem. I work in the Medical profession. If she is having a flare up for this long, have you tried getting a second opinion?
And has she seen a Doctor who specializes in Digestive Problems? You can also visit the web site. www.livingwithuc.com
You can get a lot of information from there. I wish you both the best of luck.

Q: In France if someone with Ulcerative Colitis is traveling what kind of medicines are prescribed if that?
person should become ill with the colitis,what course of treatment is involved, Are Prednisone or cotosteroids, part of the treatment ?

A: treatments are the same as in the US. And even if the 1rst answer is correct dont worry, medications are cheap in france, so even if you are not covered by some health insurance it would cost you only a few bucks . just know that most pharmacies will give you corticosteroids without prescriptions if you can explain them you already know why you are taking them. pharmacies are often closed on saturday afternoon and definately closed on sunday ( except for the ones that are on duty … generally 1 per district)
So if you bring your own medications, and run out of them, dont freak out.. Even if you show up at a doctors office it will cost you 20 euros and he may very well give you free samples of the drug you need.

A: I suggest reading the book patient heal thyself

top one

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=patient+heal+thyself&x=0&y=0

ulcerative colitis crohns

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Read and learn more about ulcerative colitis crohns. For more, visit the Colitis website Colitis.PopularThinking.com

Q: What are the differences between Crohns disease and Ulcerative Colitis?
I would really prefer an expert or a personal account and not a google search, Thank You.

A: ulcerative colitis (UC) and crohn’s disease are both inflammatory bowel diseases of which the cause is still unknown. The main difference is the parts they affect. Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus whereas UC only affects the large bowel.

Going into more detail:
Crohn’s has so called skip lesions, where the inflammation extends up the digestive tract but misses sections out and ’skips’ from one part to the next. Whereas UC is continous inflammation of the colon with no skips.
In crohn’s deep ulcers and fissures are seen in the lining of the digestive tract and they have a cobblestone appearance. In UC the lining is red and bleeds and sometimes has ulcers and pseudo polyps.
In crohn’s the iflammation is not confined to the lining but can spread outwards through the tissue of the bowel and granulomata may be present. However in UC only the lining of the bowel is inflammed and no granulomata are present. but goblet cell depletion and crypt abscesses can be found.

Q: anybody have crohns / ulcerative colitis and depresion?
i had mild depresion and anxiety scince i was 11, and i got diagnised with Crohns a year ago and my depresion has gone from bad to worse.. are the two connected? im on 40 mg citalipram which is an antidepresion. Please can some one advice me if both are connected? thank you in advance

A: any chronic illness can cause u to be depressed, crohns in particular makes u feel tired and lacking in energy which could make it worse and the medication doesnt help . are u taking steroids for it?they can cause depression and mood swings. my daughter had a lot of problems with steroids and became suicidal whilst on them shes fine now she doesnt have them any more.

Q: What symptoms do Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis share?

A: Diarrhea (bloody diarrhea is more common in UC but can appear in CD)
Stomach pain & cramps
Fatigue, dehydration and weight loss

Q: For those with Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis…what does alcohol do to you?
Do you find beer to be easier on the stomach than hard alcohol?

A: hi termite, i am a crohn’s survivor dxed at age 12. I speak from experience when I say it’s not worth drinking alcohol when on Crohn’s medications to get things in remission.

If you are taking any type of medication for CD you can not take any kind of alcohol b/c it can interfere w/the drugs by not working properly plus it can cause problems with the liver.

Certain Crohn’s treatments affect the pancreas, liver, skin, joints, etc. If you mix alcohol w/say 6MP (it affects the liver if it is not watched closely by the GI via bloodwork) you will run into seriously trouble including alot of pain.

You can have virgin drinks just to fit into your group of friends, but unless you have the OK from your GI, I’d avoid it.

For more information, check out the Crohn’s & colitis foundation site. they have tons of information ranging from women’s issues, diet, surgery, meds, to locating a local support group near you. They have a live chat and hotline open on weekdays run by healthcare workers.

A lot of crohnies I’ve met at the local meetings say that beer isn’t really worth it because it does cause stomach upset as well as hard liquor. hope this helps.

Q: how many people reading this suffer from Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns?

A: I don’t.

Q: Has anyone with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns successfully joined the military? More specific, the Army?
I have UC and about 6 months ago I tried to join the Army. I passed my tests and all of that. But after they looked over my medical records they decided I couldn’t after all because my symptoms were not controlled and training could further aggravate them. Is this typical with people with my condition or has anyone with UC or Crohns been able to join? P.S since then ive been doing a lot better, no symptoms and under control. I even have a letter from my doctor saying that and that i should be given a chance. Im going to attempt to join again.

A: The military does not let anyone in with any type of disease off the bat. You need to get a “waiver” from your doctor first. You said that you have a note that says they should give you a try. Ask your recruiter about medical waivers and they should be able to help you. You can probably still join with the medical waiver. Like I said your recruiter would know more about it that I do. I was able to join and deploy with a heart murmur. I just submitted the correct documents.

Q: what are these? internal hemorrhoids, Crohns Disease, Ulcerative colitis?
please explain thanks

A: Go to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for an exact explanation as to what Crohn’s disease and UC are.

They have a hotline you can call as well as a live chat that is run by healthcare experts well versed in IBD.

www.ccfa.org; 1-888-my-gut-pain

good luck to you.

Q: I believe I May have some type of bowel disease. Does anyone have any of these ( crohns or ulcerative colitis)
What are the symptoms? How do you deal with it?

A: Crohn’s disease
This is a chronic inflammatory disease which causes stomach pains, diarrhoea, and weight loss.The disease is characterised by periods of activity and remissions.It typically affects the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon), but it can affect any part of the digestive system.
The affected areas become red and swollen and ulceration may occur. As the ulcers heal, the formation of scar tissue makes the intestine increasingly narrow, leading to obstruction.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but the symptoms can be treated and the periods of remission can be made to last several years.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine – or colon. This is the last metre or so of the intestine closest to the anus. Symptoms vary in severity from pain and discomfort, through mucous in the stools to in the most severe cases blood in the stools. It is generally diagnosed by inspection of the colon by a hospital consultant – a colonoscopy.
The underlying cause of ulcerative colitis is still not known – though the disease is associated with dysfunction of the immune system. In the disease the body’s own T-cells attack the lining of the bowel – and hence cause it to be inflamed. This bodies immune system then takes this inflammation to be a further sign of infection – increasing the immune response – in a vicious cycle. This situation is what people would term a flare-up.
Ulcerative colitis is treated using a variety of medications designed to either directly reduce the inflammation – such as steroids – or to reduce the immune response such a immunomodulators.

Q: Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis!? help?
I was diagnosed with UC last july….before i was diagnosed i lived a healthy lifestyle..i was a bodybuilder..good college student and doing well..then it hit me..i started losing around 7 lbs a week going to the restroom 45 plus times a day with endless blood in my stool and just getting weaker and weaker…ive been put on all the meds and i was doing good..recently i had another flare up it seems..im ready to give up…has anyone else gone through this..have u found anything that has helped…it has affected me alot more mentally than physically…anyone else that can relate im just 19

A: hi mike, I am a crohn’s survivor for 29 yrs. I can truly understand your frustration w/wanting to feel better.

There are 2 new treatments for UC, remicade and Iliada(sp?). check the crohn’s & colitis foundation of america’s site for the accuracy of the 2nd one.

The ccfa site has info ranging from diet, newer treatments, surgery, as well as finding a local support group near you. They also have a live chat and a hotline that is run by healthcare professionals during the week and an open forum where pts. can post questions to others like themselves.

I was very sick in high school and missed alot. At the age of 17, I needed surgery to save my life since the medications failed. I feel for you wanting to do more but feel lousy.

I’d go back to you GI and see if you can try the newer treatments to get back into remission. You shouldn’t have to suffer like this so don’t be afraid of telling him that the current methods are not working.

my heart goes out to you. definitely check the ccfa site and locate a local ccfa support group near you. You’d be surprised at the # of ppl who have UC & may even be your neighbors. I belong to the chapter near me and come to find out there are 6 folks w/CD in the small town I live in. Who knew?? anyway, best of luck and feel free to email me w/any questions.

A: D.

Q: my sister has chrons disease and HAD ulcerative colitis. Is this a major problem for her because she now has?
crohns, does it double her chances of death or anything?? I feel so bad for her as she has suffered from the colitis for over 20 years now, the doctors say her pouch might have got infected or she may have the crohns for sure. Has anyone experieced this? I need some peace of mind. Im worried…thanks

A: The prognosis for a person for Chron’s Disease depends upon where in the GI tract the disease is and how bad of a case a person has.

Most people with Chron’s will have flair ups (increase in symptoms) from time to time and may actually need surgery. In rare cases the disease can be life threatening. The source below discusses the disease in more detail.

It will be a life adjustment change for your sister but in time she’ll learn what foods she can eat and which foods to stay away from in order to avoid flair ups. As long as your sister keeps in close contact with her gastroenterologist and sees him/her regularly, she should be fine.

Q: Can ulcerative colitis turn into crohn’s disease?
My mom has colitis and I was just wondering if it could turn into Crohns. A friend of mine who was 20 just passed away Tuesday because of Crohns complications so now I’m pretty worried.

A: Ulcerative colitis does not turn into Crohn’s disease but they can affect the same part of the bowel and sometimes they can be mistaken for each other. Occasionally it happens that a patient is operated for ulcerative colitis and the disease turns out to have been Crohn’s disease. The surgical treatment is somewhat different but the medical treatment is pretty much the same.

Q: Has anyone gotten Crohns Disease or Colitis after taking Accutane?
This is very important! So a couple of years ago my sister took Accutane, and after taking it she got Ulcerative Colitis; my family and I are trying to make the company out of business, because Accutane almost killed my sister. We don’t want doctors to recommend it because we don’t want others to go through what my sister did. Due to the Accutane, my sister has no colon and has an Illieo ostomy. The only way we can get the company out of business is if we get information from other people who went through similar things because of it so we can make our case.

A: theres nothing you can really do, it is listed as on of the rare but potentrial adverse effects so they have technically relinquished their responsibility,

There is risk with all medication, your sister was just one of the unfortunate ones.

Q: Which disease is most likely, Crohns,coeliac or colitis?
I’ve been looking on the net and i think i’ve got either Crohn’s, Coeliac disease or Ulcerative Colitis, though im not a dr and it could be something else. Which one do you think is most likely these are my symptoms.
I’ve been ill for last 11 weeks now with a stomach ache almost all the time, my appetite has gone, im struggling to eat and i’ve lost over 2 stone now. Im also exhausted all the time, im not normally a lazy person but im needing around 15 hours sleep a night now. Also sometimes i feel like i need the toilet but nothing or some mucus comes out (sorry i know thats sick) and i had diarrhoea until a few weeks ago. I’ve had a gastroscopy, ultrasound, baruim x-ray as well as blood tests and a stool sample, im not lactose intollerant and im not stressed. And i’ve taken 3 different medications incase its IBS and neither have helped. I dont know what it could be and i’ve hardly been able to leave the house for 11 weeks. I’ve also noticed if i have fatty or greasy food it makes me a lot worse.If it helps im 21, dont smoke or drink either. Thanks a lot

A: hi jezz, i am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. when I was 12, I was tested for it but everything was normal as well but my GI went with his instincts based upon my physical symptoms, fatigue, low grade fever, bleeding at times, the big “D” or “C”, abdominal pain, etc. He gave me the dx of Crohn’s and started treating me accordingly. A few yrs. later, when I was really sick, it finally showed up on a scope.

It is a tough illness to dx. There is a new blood test out cld Prometheus. It is used to dx a pt. with either Crohn’s or UC.

For more information on IBD, check out the crohn’s and colitis website. There is also a live chat, a hotline, and an open forum where you can post questions. hope this helps. feel better