Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum.

What are the symptoms?

Abdominal pain and cramping.
Bloody diarrhea.
Fatigue and weight loss.
Urgent need to defecate.
Fever.

What else could it be? (Differential diagnosis)

Crohn's disease: Another form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects different parts of the digestive tract.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A condition with symptoms similar to IBD but without inflammation or ulcers.

What are the aggravating factors?

Stress: Emotional stress can worsen symptoms.
Dietary triggers: Certain foods, such as dairy, can aggravate symptoms.
Infections: Can trigger or worsen flare-ups.

What types of food are helpful?

Avoid trigger foods: Such as spicy foods, dairy, and high-fiber foods during flare-ups.
Small, frequent meals: To reduce the burden on the digestive system.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Can help reduce inflammation.

What are the traditional treatments?

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Such as corticosteroids or aminosalicylates.
Immunosuppressants: Used to suppress the immune system to prevent further damage to the colon.
Surgery: In severe cases, removing the colon may be necessary.

What are the natural and alternative treatments?

Probiotics: Help restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
Slippery elm: Known to soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation.
Turmeric: Its active compound, curcumin, is an anti-inflammatory agent that may help reduce symptoms.

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