Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the innermost lining of the large intestine(colon) and rectum causes inflammation and ulcers. It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications if proper care and treatment is not given.

• Abdominal Discomfort or Cramps
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Needing to empty your bowels frequently
• Tummy pain
• Recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus

1. Eating food before the previous meal is digested
2. Untimely food habits
3. Eating processed and fried food excessively
4. Eating mindlessly, habits of eating too fast or too slow 
5. Excessive intake of spicy, pungent, acidic, sour, alkaline nature foods
6. Food items which produces burning sensation or heat in the body 
7. Incompatible food like having milk and fruits together 
8. Habits which produce more heat in the body like exposure to sun, hot weather, heat waves, etc
9. Stress and Anxiety, Excessive anger
10. Excessive consumption of Alcohol
11. Smoking
12. Not following a healthy diet plan in certain digestive disorders like diarrhoea and irritable bowels are also one of the causes of Ulcerative colitis

As per Ayurveda, biological elements(known as Dosha) are present in our body; vata, pitta and kapha. Balancing of these three dosha is necessary for good health. The above causative factors cause Pitta vitiation and subsequently vitiating vata and kapha leading to Ulcerative colitis. Extreme Pitta aggravation causes severe inflammation, ulceration and rectal bleeding.
 

Treatment protocol aims at :

1. Giving relief from abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhoea and treating inflammation of the intestine 
2. Improving overall digestive and mental health  
3. Prevent recurrence by healing and repairing the tissue 
4. Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and maintaining normal digestive capacity.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If problems persists then consider the following  treatment protocol : 

• Digestive issues such as abdominal discomfort, pain, loss of appetite happen due to unhealthy diet, lifestyle. It should be treated with Lashunadi vati, Chitrakadi vati by stimulating digestion and removing toxins(ama) from the body. 
• Inflammation and Ulcer: Heal the cells lining of the colon with Yasthimadhu, Kamdudha, Shankh Vati, and Laghusootshekhar ras 
• Diarrhoea, bleeding, pus discharge - Inflammation causes the colon to contract and empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea, needing to empty bowel frequently, bleeding of the ulcer and sometimes producing pus due to infection. It also leads to Weight loss and Malnutrition. Manage and avoid further complication with Bilva, Nagakesara and Gairika
• For fever and tiredness: Inflammation and infection might result in increase in temperature and fatigue. Guduchi should be given to treat fever and reduce body heat(Pitta).

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations) 

Other treatments - Practicing pranayama and yoga asanas help to relieve stress and also provide long time relief from ulcerative colitis. 

 

Bilva, Guduchi, Gairika, Nagakesara, Lashunadi vati, Kamadudha, Laghusootshekar ras, Yasthimadhu

See your doctor if you experience a persistent change in your bowel habits or if you have signs and symptoms such as:

An unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two.

Diarrhea that awakens you from sleep

Ongoing diarrhea that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medications

Blood in your stool

Abdominal pain