Because ulcerative colitis is a disease that is associated with inherited family characteristics and an overactive immune response from your body, paying attention to symptoms will help keep the war your body is fighting under manageable control. Some of the more annoying symptoms include canker sores, gas and acid, diarrhea, painful joints, vitamin deficiency. If you address some of these symptoms early, your body is better able to respond effectively.
Although I’ve never had a diagnosis for ulcerative colitis, I’ve been through many of the tests and traumas ulcerative colitis patients face because of intestinal difficulties that occurred with endometriosis, polyps and an ulcer.
I learned early that a canker sore in my mouth was a sign of too much stress. To make a canker sore go away, the best remedy was to reduce the amount of acid in my system. To do this, I eliminated caffeine and sugar from my diet. Ointments can dull the pain. Gargling with salt water can restore your mouth to a balanced ph.
Gas and Acid
Patients with ulcerative colitis are associated with the internal production of gas and acid. A diet that minimizes carbohydrates or eliminates them, such as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet can help reduce gas, acid, and the overproduction of mucus. Soda water can provide relief from too much gas. Drinking mint tea can also settle the stomach and help dilute the internal acids. Using an antacid can help and will provide needed calcium.
Diarrhea
Patients that have diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids and increase their intake of potassium and salt to help restore their retained fluids. Patients that have continuing bouts of diarrhea should consider eating probiotics-natural bacteria grown in yogurt, to help restore their systems natural balance. Patients that have long term bloody diarrhea should be working with a physician to find a medication to relieve their symptoms.
Painful joints are often associated with ulcerative colitis because of the overactive immune system response. Many patients find themselves dealing with painful joints first and having ulcerative colitis show up as a secondary problem. Painful joints need to be worked and used carefully. Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis often require anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase symptoms of ulcerative colitis and some cause the decay of the bones in the spine. Overworking the joints will only serve to increase inflammation. A light weights workout can help a patient get blood flowing and keep their joints working. Stretching the muscles leading to the joint can keep the body toned. Weight bearing exercise such as walking can reduce symptoms of osteoporosis. Maintain a manageable level of exercise and discuss your exercise needs with your doctor.
A minimum vitamin to take is a stress tab multi-vitamin. The stress tab formulation only includes vitamins that are water soluble and wash out of the body with sweat and waste production. It is more difficult to overdose on stress tab vitamins. Insuring a diet rich with a broad range of vegetables and fruits can provide the less needed vitamins. People that make their own bread without enriched flour should pay special attention that they are taking a multi-vitamin.
