Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the large intestine
Ulcerative colitis is a autoimmune disease affecting the large intestine. As in all autoimmune diseasesThe immune system interprets a part of the intestine as not being part of that organism, and attacks it as an intruder, creating chronic intestinal inflammation (colitis) that damages (ulcerates) the intestine.
The concept of an autoimmune disease you can watch it in this video by Dr. Mariano Bueno
It is also a inflammatory disease. And it is also chronicleHowever, those affected have long asymptomatic periods, with peaks of the disease appearing and disappearing depending on various factors.
It affects the part of the large intestine that runs from the anus, through the rectum, to its beginning, the cecum. The rest of the digestive tract is not affected by the disease, which differentiates ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease. However, colitis can have a significant impact on other parts of the body.
It is difficult to predict when a new colitis flare-up will occur in a person with colitis.. And there is no definitive treatment for this ailment in conventional medicine.
On the contrary, Integrative Medicine offers us first the possibility to detect the real cause of the autoimmune process and therefore to treat it. Finally, the Regenerative Medicine can contribute to the regeneration of the injured areas and help to return to the state of health prior to the illness.
Ulcerative colitis is more prevalent in countries such as the USA or Canada than in Spain, for example, where there are 5-10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It is also possible that a genetic predisposition is responsible for the fact that more people of the Jewish race are affected than those of other races.
The development of this disease in Spain and in other industrialised countries is the result of genetic factors and environmental factorsThe president of the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD), Enrique Domínguez, acknowledged this.
Stress, our diet and our lifestyle are environmental factors that can lead to ulcerative colitis, perhaps not one by one, but all of them together.
As an inflammatory disease, colitis is more likely to occur in people who are overweight or obese, as obesity favours the development of more intense inflammatory reactions.
The truth is that in our country, and due to the gradual abandonment of the so-called Mediterranean diet by the new generations, there is an increase in these pathologies and inflammatory processes, which, in the end, translates into higher healthcare costs.
Moreover, chronic inflammation is always the prelude to mutations that can lead to cancer.
Why does the autoimmune system go wrong and cause a disease like ulcerative colitis?
Although it has not yet been proven to be linked to a specific micro-organism, it is the most logical option that colitis develops from a infectionThe infection may be a minor infection, but it causes the autoimmune system to fail.
At Biosalud, we always say that the cause is in the intestine. And we always, too, have the suspicion that an infection like Lyme, which mimics other diseases, could be behind it. And Lyme does matter.
Genes on chromosome 6 that contribute to the constitution of the immune system have also been linked to ulcerative colitis. But there must be something else that initiates the disease and this genetic predisposition alone is not enough.
Ulcerative colitis. Intermittent symptoms
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can vary, depending on the severity of the inflammation and where it occurs.
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Doctors often classify ulcerative colitis according to its location.
The symptoms you may have if you have ulcerative colitis are:
- Diarrhoea, often blood or pus.
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Rectal pain
- Rectal bleeding, with small amount of blood with stool
- Urgent defecation
- Inability to defecate in spite of urgency
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- In children, growth failure
Complications
The possible complications of ulcerative colitis are:
- Severe bleeding
- A hole in the colon (perforated colon)
- Severe dehydration
- Liver disease (rare)
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
- inflammation of the skin, joints and eyes, and ulcers in the lining of the mouth
- An increased risk of colon cancer
- rapid swelling of the colon (toxic megacolon)
- Increased risk of blood clots in veins and arteries
Treatment of ulcerative colitis by biological (integrative) medicine
We have already referred on several occasions to the desirability of the colon hydrotherapy for the maintenance of the proper functioning of the intestine. The technique consists of irrigating the intestine with filtered and ionised water at a controlled temperature.
It will also be necessary to monitoring the diet and paying special attention to individualised dietary treatment
Remedies of biological medicine
And there are more biological medicine remedies for this disease. Here are some of them:
Some commonly used therapies include:
- Phytotherapeutic and nutritional supplements.
- Probiotics. Researchers believe that adding beneficial bacteria (probiotics) normally found in the digestive tract may help fight the disease.
- Fish oil acts as an anti-inflammatory, and there is evidence that fish oil intake for aminosalicylates may be helpful as it is rich in Omega 3.
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera gel can have an anti-inflammatory effect for people with ulcerative colitis, although it can also cause diarrhoea.
- Acupuncture. The procedure involves the insertion of fine needles into the skin, which can stimulate the release of the body's natural painkillers.
- Turmeric. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has been combined with standard therapies for ulcerative colitis in clinical trials. There is some evidence of benefit, but more research is needed.
Recommendation for ulcerative colitis
Changes in diet and lifestyle can help control symptoms and lengthen the time between disease flares.
There is no firm evidence that what we eat actually causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and drinks can make signs and symptoms worse, especially during an attack or flare-up.
If you find that certain foods are causing a flare-up of symptoms, you can try eliminating them.
We advise you to:
- Limit dairy products
- Try low-fat foods
- Limit fibre if it is a problem food
- Make small meals
- Think about taking multivitamins.
And, very importantly, stress managementThe aim is to reduce muscle tension and achieve a state of relaxation through breathing and relaxation exercises, or the biofeedback technique.
1 thought on “¿Qué es la colitis ulcerosa?”
thanks for all the information i have ulcerative colitis i live in tampa fl i have taken all the corticosteroids and cortisone and nothing has solved the last medicine and enema that the doctor prescribed me was rowasa {mesalamine} it did not solve anything a few days ago i got some injections the name is HUMIRA i started the treatment by taking 4 injections in my belly and nothing besides that i have eliminated bread rice dairy products and soft drinks like coca cola and pepsi well i am doing a diet based on vegetables and chicken and fish and the bleeding has stopped. i am doing a diet based on vegetables and chicken and fish and the bleeding has stopped the inflammations of the stomach also in 15 days i have to inject 2 in my belly and then every month thank god i am improving because my body was inflamed ah i am also taking a vitamin and mineral supplement i think the diet is fundamental to solve this thank god everything is going to be ok god bless you and thanks to all the information you provide
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