Ulcerative colitis is a condition that is being diagnosed more and more often today. It is an inflammation that affects your entire  digestive tract and  it often develops into something chronic with more or less regular outbreaks.

It is common to find this condition in the colon area, but it can radiate to the entire digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis causes pain, discomfort, and negatively affects your quality of life when you suffer from flare-ups. This is why it is important to be under medical supervision to always keep your symptoms under control.

In today’s article we will learn more about ulcerative colitis so you know how to recognize the triggers and implement some easy home remedies that can supplement your prescribed medication.

What is the cause of ulcerative colitis?

It is not yet known exactly what causes ulcerative colitis. It appears among other conditions associated with inflammation of the intestines and includes Crohn’s disease.

It should also be noted that while it is true there is no data on why patients suffer the way they do,  there is some consensus among physicians on this issue :

• Ulcerative colitis is related to a type of autoimmune disease. This means that the body begins to attack certain parts of its own intestines – in this case the area around the  colon  – and destroys tissues and forms wounds.
• Stress is a common factor that affects the flare-up among a large percentage of the affected population.
• It usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 30, and becomes more persistent when you reach 50 to 70 years of age.
• Ulcerative colitis is usually triggered by an initial inflammation of the intestine.
• It is suspected to be related to a type of bacteria or virus found in the colon. Despite the fact that there is no cure, the only way to completely eliminate this condition in almost 80% of cases is to remove the colon.

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

The symptoms can vary from person to person.  Initially, many people will suffer from diarrhea with possible traces of blood. Other patients complain of severe abdominal pain.

Nevertheless, there are some general symptoms that follow the following patterns:

• Severe abdominal pain. These are recurrent seizures that come and go. You can hear muffled sounds from your bowel area as if you had internal gas.
• The presence of blood or pus in the stool.
• Cases of diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Increasing weight loss.
• When ulcerative colitis is more severe, it may be accompanied by joint pain.
• Blisters  in the mouth.
• General nausea.

Natural treatment for ulcerative colitis

It should be clear that you should always put your trust  in your doctor to help you identify the most appropriate course of treatment according to your particular case and symptoms. As we suggested at the beginning, not everyone responds in the same way to this condition, so your treatment will be determined by your age and other factors.

However, to supplement the medical treatment at home,  you can follow some simple guidelines to improve your quality of life.  Read more below.

Make sure you get the right vitamins

Ulcerative colitis has the special ability to lower your body’s natural defenses and  prevent you from absorbing nutrients.

This can be very dangerous so you need to fight it. Take supplements to cover the following:

• Spirulina : Spirulina is very rich in vitamins, fiber and protein, and helps you strengthen your immune system and improve your quality of life.
• Brewer’s yeast : This is another supplement that gives you a lot of the nutrients you need in the course of a day and strengthens your immune system. It can be found in health food stores.
• Folic acid or vitamin B9 : When your intestines do not absorb nutrients properly due to colitis, it is common to have a lack of folic acid. It is a good idea to take a supplement of this important vitamin.
• Aloe vera juice : Aloe vera helps reduce inflammation while relieving pain. Try drinking some aloe vera juice every morning. Simply add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel (5 g) to a cup of water (200 ml) and drink it.

• Carrot Juice : Rich in vitamins and excellent for relieving intestinal pain.
• A teaspoon of flaxseed oil : Start this day off with this. Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are very useful against inflammation.
• Evening primrose oil : This is another effective treatment for symptoms of ulcerative colitis. It can be found in health food stores and in pharmacies. Remember to take it on an empty stomach to reduce the inflammation and discomfort associated with this condition.