Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease characterized by long-term inflammation and ulcer-formation in the large-intestine (‘colon’) lining. The digestive system is responsible for the digestion of the food we eat so that nutrients in the food are available to provide energy to the body. Ulcerative colitis is one of the many form of ‘inflammatory bowel disease’ (IBD). IBD refers to the diseases that cause a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. Cure of Ulcerative colitis in Homeopathy is possible.

Types of Ulcerative Colitis:

For Ulcerative colitis Treatment in Homeopathy, it is important to diagnose it properly. The inflammation generally affects the rectum and the lower parts of the colon, but it can affect the entire colon in severe conditions. Depending upon the affected parts Ulcerative colitis can be of many subtypes.

• Entire colon – Pancolitis
• Rectum – Proctitis
• The sigmoid colon – Sigmoiditis
• Beyond sigmoid colon – Left-sided colitis

Causes of Ulcerative Colitis

The exact cause behind this disease is not fully known and is somewhat ambiguous. Numerous theories are suggesting a variety of possible causes of ulcerative colitis, but with little to no significant proof. The existing studies show that there is more than one factor responsible for the onset, progression, and relapse of Ulcerative colitis. The causes may involve but are not limited to heredity, genetic factors, environmental factors, or disturbances in the immune system. One of the major underlying causes suggests abnormal activation of the immune system, leading the ulcerations in the intestine. Broadly these factors are categorized into two groups i.e. extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

Extrinsic factors:

1. Diet: Consumption of processes and junk food, high-refined sugar, soda intake are found be related with the onset of Ulcerative colitis. Some patients are known to experience the symptoms soon after consuming these foods.

2. Infections: Some researchers feel that ulcerative colitis may be related to certain infections of the digestive tract caused by the microorganism E. Coli. Another theory holds that the modern measles virus, improperly cleared from the body, results in low grade, chronic inflammation of the intestinal lining.

3. Drugs: The studies have also shown that women taking oral contraceptive pills were more susceptible to Ulcerative colitis. Many patients experience a flare-up of the condition after using Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some antibiotics. Drugs used for treating acne (Isotretinoin, to be specific), is found to trigger UC and Crohn’s disease in many patients.

Intrinsic Factors:

1. Disturbance of the immune system Some experts believe that the defect in one’s immune system is responsible for the ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. The disturbance is thought to be either of two:

Allergy: Many studies have shown certain food allergies to be responsible for Ulcerative colitis in some patients. Often, some intestinal infections have been found to aggravate the condition.

Autoimmunity: Autoimmunity causes the immune response of a person to confuse their own body parts with foreign agents, leading to their damage. Most recent researches indicate that ulcerative colitis can be a form of autoimmune disease in which the body’s defense system starts attacking the cells of the large intestine.

2. Genetics: Some researches suggest that there may be certain genetic factors that may cause Ulcerative colitis in a person.

3. Hereditary factors: Family histories have been found to have more than one member of the family to be affected by Ulcerative colitis. It is common, that is anyone’s immediate family members are having Ulcerative colitis, then, their chances of having the disease increases.

4. Psychosomatic: The brain plays a vital role in maintaining health and is determinant, in many cases, whether a person is living in good or bad health. Healthcare professionals believe and notice that any kind of emotional stress may significantly alter the normal functioning of the immune system and can be an underlying cause of ulcerative colitis. Physicians frequently encounter such cases, in which patients have started observing the symptoms of Ulcerative colitis after a stressful situation.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis affects each individual differently. Some suffer only with mild symptoms, but others have severe and disabling symptoms with frequent flare-ups. Usually, the patient may lead a normal life during the remission phase, while, relapsing the symptoms after that period. Generally, the symptoms reappear after an interval, which varies from days to months or even years. Ulcerative colitis treatment in Homeopathy is started once the symptoms confirm the presence of this disease. The common and prevalent symptoms are:

1. Diarrhea (Diarrhoea) The most common symptom of UC is diarrhea. The person may require frequent visits to the toilet. Often blood is also present in the stools.

2. Blood in the stools Ulcerative colitis is characterized by the presence of blood in the stools. Blood is mixed stools may be present, but not as blood clots. The presence of blood clots also indicate the presence of other disease. Often pus may be present in the stool.

3. Tenesmus Some patients may feel incomplete evacuation of the stools called ‘tenesmus’ where there is a painful urge to defecate but the patient doesn’t pass or have any stools.

4. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps Flare-up phases of ulcerative colitis may lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It may be a indicative of the development of other complications e.g., abscess or perforation of the intestinal wall.

5. Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite These symptoms are usual accompaniments with consequent weight loss. The person suffering, becomes very weak and sick.

6. Constipation At times, some Colitis patients may suffer from constipation. Constipation may be psychologically induced, as the pain and discomfort, sometimes causes a patient to avoid passing stools.

7. Loss of water and nutrients With increased diarrhea, the person may lose valuable water and nutrients from the body and may experience dry mouth, sunken eyes, fast heartbeat, and pale skin.