Colitis
Description
There are two major types of colitis: ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Although similar in symptoms, the two forms of colitis have different possible complications. Colitis can either be acute or chronic.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory, chronic disease which deteriorates the mucosa of the large colon. Most often, the inflammation begins at the rectum and extends up through the colon. The inflammation can progress until ulcerations and, eventually, abscesses develop. The intensity and progression of the disorder is not uniform. The disease can be mild and localized, or excruciatingly painful and perforated. Sudden attacks followed by periods of remission are typical.
See Also:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Causes
Ulcerative colitis
Bacterial infection
Overproduction of enzymes which destroy mucous membrane
Familial predisposition
Emotional stress
Autoimmune reactions such as arthritis
Signs & Symptoms
Ulcerative colitis
Recurrent bloody diarrhea often containing blood and pus
Spastic rectum and anus
Abdominal pain
Irritability
Weakness
Weight loss
Anorexia
Nausea
Vomiting
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function: Intestinal Health
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Calcium | 500 - 1,000 mg | 200 - 500 mg |
| Fiber | 3 - 5 tbsp | 2 - 3 tbsp |
| Vitamin A | 10,000 - 20,000 IU | 5,000 - 10,000 IU |
| Vitamin E | 400 - 800 IU | 100 - 400 IU |
| Zinc Chelate | 20 - 30 mg | 10 - 20 mg |
Note:
Calcium is recommended to be taken in the form of: Calcium Pantothenate.
One particular form of fiber has been singled out: Glucomannan.
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Acute colitis
Should be treated with intravenous fluids or a Clear Liquid Diet as this diet replaces fluids lost through diarrhea, with minimal irritation to the gastrointestinal system.
Chronic colitis
Is a symptom of an underlying condition. Nutritional management will depend on the primary illness; in general, chronic colitis can be treated with a Low Fiber Diet as well as with calcium and zinc supplements.
Ulcerative colitis
May be of acute or chronic symptomatology. During the acute episode, intravenous fluids or a Clear Liquid Diet are administered. After acute episode subsides, measures are similar to those of chronic colitis: the individual should adhere to a Low Fiber Diet and take multivitamin supplementation. The Low Fiber Diet should be high in calories and high quality proteins such as egg, meat and cheese. Protein is needed to replace protein lost in blood, and as exudate from open intestinal ulcers.
The following symptom-provoking foods should be restricted in an Elimination Diet:
| Milk | Spices |
| Fruits | Ethanol |
| Vegetables | Hot drinks and foods |
| Juices | Cold drinks and foods |
Homeopathic Remedy
Colitis - General
| 1. Mercurius dulcis | 6C to 15C |
| 2.* Allium sativum | 15C |
| 3. Arsenicum Album | 15C |
Colitis - Ulcerative
| 1. Carbo vegetabilis | 30C |
| 2.* Nitricum acidum | 6C, long time |
| 3. Ferrum metallicum | 6C |
Colitis - Chrohn's Disease
| 1.* Nitricum acidum | 6C long term use |
| 2. Carbo vegetabilis | 30C |
| 3.* Nux vomica | 30C |
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
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Herbs
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Bayberry
Ginger
Marshmallow root
Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus fulva)
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Ginger compresses may provide symptomatic relief.
Marshmallow root is used to soothe tissues and aid healing. (1,000 mg t.i.d. between meals.) Slippery Elm Bark is another option.
An extensive list of herbal irritants (i.e. herbs to avoid when you have colitis) has been compiled by Newall (1996):
| Herb | Effects |
| Alfalfa | Irritant, canavanine in seeds |
| Arnica | Irritant to mucous membranes |
| Asafetida | Irritant gum, |
| Blue Cohosh, | Irritant to mucous membranes; |
| spasmogenic in vitro | |
| Blue Flag | Irritant gum and oil |
| Bogbean (Buck Bean) | Irritant to GI tract |
| Boldo | Irritant oil |
| Buchu | Irritant oil |
| Capsicum | Capsaicinoids, mucosal irritants |
| Cassia (see Cinnamon) | |
| Cinnamon | Irritant to mucous membranes, oil |
| Cowslip | Irritant saponins |
| Drosera (Sundew) | Plumbagin. irritant |
| Eucalyptus | Irritant Oil |
| False Unicorn Root | Large doses may cause vomiting |
| Figwort | Purgative effect |
| Garlic Plant | Raw clove |
| Ground Ivy | Irritant oil |
| Guaiacum | Avoid if inflammatory condition |
| Horse chestnut | Saponins, contra-indicated in renal disease |
| Horse radish | Irritant oil |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangin, possible gastro-enteritis |
| Jamaican Dogwood | Irritant to humans |
| Juniper | Irritant oil |
| Lemon Verbena | Irritant oil |
| Lime Flower | Irritant to kidney |
| Nettle | Tea irritant to stomach |
| Parsley Plant | Irritant oil |
| Pennyroyal | Toxic & irritant oil |
| Pilewort | Irritant sap |
| Pleurisy Root | GI irritant |
| Pokeroot | Saponins |
| Pulsatilla | Irritant to mucous membranes |
| Queen's Delight | Diterpenes |
| Sarsaparilla | Saponins |
| Senega | Saponins |
| Skunk Cabbage | Inflammatory & blistering to skin |
| Squill | Saponins |
References:
Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
It may be difficult to distinguish between an inflammatory condition (which colitis strictly speaking is) and an infection.
Chamomile Essence is noted for its gentle, soothing effect.
Intestinal infections:
| Basil Essence, | Bergamot Essence, |
| Cinnamon Essence | Lemongrass Essence, |
| (Red) Thyme Essence. |
Two folk favorites, which have been applied to every gastro-intestinal condition through the ages, include:
| Ginger Essence, | Peppermint Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
| Abscess | Diarrhea |
| Anxiety | Infection |
| Arthritis | Inflammation |
| Bleeding | Irritable bowel syndrome |
| Cancer | Pain |
| Constipation | Spasm |
| Cramp | Stress |
| Depression | Ulcers |
References
Alpers, D.H., R.E. Clouse, & W.F. Stenson. 1983. Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics. Little, Brown, and Company, Boston. 457 pp.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Burke A et al., Nutrition and ulcerative colitis. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol, 1997 Mar, 11:1, 153-74.
Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide, William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.
Chicago Dietetic Assoc & the South Suburban Dietetic Assoc of Cook & Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. Saunders Co., Philadephia.
Cosnes-J et al: Classification of the sequelae of bowel resection for Crohn's disease. Br-J-Surg. 1994 Nov; 81(11): 1627-31.
Danis, V.A. & R.V. Heatley. Antigen-Antibody Complexes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Scandinavian Journal Of Gastroenteritis, 19 (1984).
DeSimone, C. & F. Sorice. Vitamins and Immunity. Acta Vitaminol. Enzymol., 4, 1982.
Empey, L. R: Fish Oil-Enriched Diet is Mucosal Protective Against Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats. Canadian Journal of Physiological Pharmacology, 1991;69:480-488.
Hamilton, H. K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.
Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.
Hui, Y. H. 1983. Human nutrition and diet therapy. WadsWorth, Inc; Belmont, California. 1039 pp.
Jones, V.A., Crohn's Disease: Maintainence of Remission by Diet. Lancet. July 27, 1985.
Kelly DG & Fleming CR: Nutritional considerations in inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterol Clin North Am, 1995 Sep, 24:3, 597-611.
Kirschmann, J.D. 1990. Nutrition Almanac: Nutrition Search. McGrew-Hill: New York.
Kirsner, J. & R. Shorter. Recent Development in Non-Specific Inflammatory Bowel Disease. New England Journal Of Medicine. 306. 1982.
Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub. New York. 832 pp.
Luke, B. 1984. Principles of Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Little, Brown and Co., Boston. 816 pp.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
O'Keefe SJ: Nutrition and gastrointestinal disease. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1996, 220:, 52-9.
Oliva MM & Lake AM: Nutritional considerations and management of the child with inflammatory bowel disease. Nutrition, 1996 Mar, 12:3, 151-8.
Rosenberg, I.H., J.M. Bengoa, et. al. 1985. Nutritional aspects of inflammatory bowel disease Annual Reviews Of Nutrition, 5.
Royall-D et al: Critical assessment of body-composition measurements in malnourished subjects with Crohn's disease: the role of bioelectric impedance analysis. Am-J-Clin-Nutr. 1994 Feb; 59(2): 325-30.
Subak-Sharpe, G.J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub., New York. 607 pp.
Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.
Zach, R.G.: Infant Colitis. Consultant, July 1991;36.
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