Infectious Colitis Treatment: Symptoms For Colon Inflammation

Colitis Symptoms And Causes

The term colitis refers to an inflammation of the colon, commonly called the large intestine or large bowel. The colon collects the waste products of the body post digestion, and pushes the waste to the anus and out of the body. The undigested food mixes with the mucus and bacteria present in the colon, while the water content is then reabsorbed into the bloodstream. The faeces are thus solidified and ready to move out through the anus. Colitis is caused by a variety of factors such as bacterial or viral infections, atherosclerosis which causes the blood vessels supplying blood to the colon to narrow, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Other causes include chronic constipation, indigestion, an unhealthy diet, food allergies or even a reaction to certain antibiotics. Colitis is symptomised by abdominal pain, frequent emptying of the bowel, blood tinged stool and the urge to constantly defecate. The affected person gets easily dehydrated due to a lack of fluid content in the body and is weak. In some cases, a person may also experience a mild fever and a tendency to fall asleep. Constipation, diarrhoea and a loss of taste for food are other symptoms.

Natural Treatment For Colitis

If stress is a contributory factor to your colitis it would be prudent to practise yoga or meditation, and exercise for half an hour a day regularly. Your diet should include carrots, cabbage and fruits like papayas, apples and bananas. A fresh juice diet for the first week is a must, but make sure the juice is freshly squeezed and consumed 3-4 times in a day. You can make a mixture out of rice, butter milk and a banana or two till it is a thick gruel. Consuming this twice a day will give the body its necessary nutrients and replace the lost fluid content. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of freshly crushed drumstick leaves into a glass of tender coconut water. An intake of this concoction twice a day is a popular herbal remedy for the condition. Fish oil, the paste made from ground pumpkin seeds and the juice extracted from a cabbage are also known to help. Avoid meat and meat products as this is known to aggravate the condition of the colon. Alcohol, smoking and junk food are a strict no, as are spicy, oily food and citrus fruits. Drink buttermilk and water that has been boiled and then cooled off to avoid germs.