Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation or irritation in the colon, the inner lining of the large intestine. The colon is the part of the intestine where waste material and water are reabsorbed for excretion. It also includes the lining of the rectum.
The inflammation of the colon’s inner lining leads to swelling, which can create a painful bowel movement, ulceration, rectal bleeding, and bloody stools (bloody diarrhea). In medical terms, the disease is classified as “inflammatory bowel disease.” Ulcerative colitis occurs in 1 out of 20 cases in 100,000 people in a year, with an incidence of 8 to 246 in 100,000 individuals.
Ulcerative colitis is present worldwide but is most common in northern Europe, England, and the United States. It is prevalent in individuals of Jewish descent. Ulcerative colitis is less common in South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe and rarely in black populations. For some unknown causes, an increased frequency of this disease has been found in developing countries. It can also reveal that Western or industrial food and lifestyles improve the prevalence of this disorder.
Ulcerative colitis is an alternating disease with some symptom-free periods and periods of aggravated symptoms. In people with ulcerative colitis, the immune system is chronically and abnormally activated when no known attackers exist. The intermittent abnormal immune system activation results in ulceration and chronic inflammation.
Shortly, it is an autoimmune disease that involves fighting the body’s immune cells with its tissues, causing harm to the colon’s lining and rectum, disturbing its task, and generating abnormal symptoms such as painful defecation and bloody diarrhea. It results in overall distress for the individual, where all activities are affected.
Causes of Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis initiates during early adulthood and adolescence and begins during childhood or later in life. The reasons can be:
- Environmental
- Genetic
- Individuals with Milk allergy
- Diet: Increased vitamin B6 and unsaturated fat intake may increase the chances of developing ulcerative colitis.
- Attacks precipitated by alcohol and high-protein meat
- A diet involving a high amount of sulfur
The latest studies have revealed that individuals with more stressful events or emotional upsets, such as divorce or death, are renowned for precipitating the disorder.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Because of its autoimmune nature, the signs are not limited to the rectum and colon, but there is also an attack of immunity cells in other body parts; the symptoms are shown with the first signs. The individuals suffer from diarrhea mixed with mucus and blood of continuous onset that is present for an extensive period.
- The crampy pain in the abdomen when passing the stools
- Mild to severe, painful bowel movements
- Loss of weight
- Due to recurrent blood loss, eye conjunctiva, anemia, and pale palms and nails.
- Individuals with ulcerative colitis can get aphthous ulcers, including the pharynx, palate, lips, and tongue.
- Extraintestinal features
- Joints: arthritis, inflammation of joints, particularly the spine, swelling and pain in the joints
- Involvement in the eyes: redness of the eyes
- Skin: node sites and redness
- Inflammation of the veins: swelling and inflammation of veins, resulting in thrombosis
- Clubbing: Defect at the end of the fingers
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis
For diagnosis purposes, the best test for ulcerative colitis is the sigmoidoscopy, which looks at the inner nature of the lining of the rectum and colon. While doing the endoscopy, the doctor can see the vasculature and any outgrowth, such as polyps and ulceration.
The professional may choose to decrease the extent of the exam if there is severe colitis to reduce the chances of perforation in the colon. In some severe cases, it is not done to limit the spread of the disease.
Several investigations of blood can also be performed to determine the status of general health:
- Renal Function test
- CBC
- Urine Routine
- Electrolyte studies
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Stool culture for ruling out infectious and parasitic causes
- CRP
TREATMENT for ulcerative colitis
The conventional therapy for ulcerative colitis depends on the extent of disease involvement and its severity. The aim is to encourage remission with the medicines, followed by controlling the maintenance of the drugs to prevent the relapse of the disorder. If there is severe anemia, iron supplementation plays an essential role. Ulcerative colitis is also treated with various medications involving 5-ASA drugs like mesalazine and sulfasalazine.
Due to their short-term healing and immunosuppressant properties, corticosteroids like prednisone can be used. Still, they are not the best for treatment in the long term, as their risk is greater than the benefits.
The side effects of the drugs significantly impact the body; mainly, they are immune-suppressive and weaken the body’s immunity. They cannot hinder the progress of the disease. Some of the most common side effects of the drugs are:
- Depression
- Increased sugar levels in the blood
- The weakness of the bones
- Immunosuppression
- Peptic ulcer
- Swelling of the face
- Avascular necrosis of the head
Homeopathic treatment
All autoimmune disorders are associated with stress. Homeopathy for ulcerative colitis assists in building up the body’s immune system, thus resisting any pressures affecting the system and aiding in achieving good health in general.
The latest medications can deal with the disease symptoms and make you symptoms-free, but they cannot do anything for your intermittent anxiety and stress levels. It needs healing within it, and homeopathy has an excellent scope. So, the effect is not permanent and soothing, along with the disastrous side effects in the long term.
Homeopathic remedies FOR UC
Homeopathy for ulcerative colitis can assist in managing the symptoms and decreasing the frequency and severity of the disease. The treatment of ulcerative colitis depends on the case analysis of the individual. Here are some well-known medications for ulcerative colitis:
For Bleeding and Loose Stool from the Rectum, Merc Sol
It is among the top medicines for ulcerative colitis and is best for excessive bleeding and loose stools. The stools are recurring. So, after passing the stool multiple times, there is no relaxation. Such individuals require feeling chilly all the time.
For unvarying push to Pass Stool with Marked Tenesmus – Nux Vomica
Nux Vomica is the best medicine for ulcerative colitis with little and frequent stool-labeled tenesmus. Tenesmus is the hopeless push-up to pass the small stool. Before crossing the stool, abdomen pain is also seen. Nux Vomica also provides excellent assistance in cases where taking alcohol or spicy food increases the severity of the symptoms.
For Loose Stool with Blood and Mucus, Merc Cor
Mercurius Corosivs is the best medication for ulcerative colitis with blood, mucus, and loose stool. The stool is offensive and hot. When the stool is passing, the burning sensations may take place. Colicky and cutting pain may result in pain in the abdomen.
For Bloody Diarrhea with Marked weakness, – Phosphorus
For the treatment of ulcerative colitis cases when there is bloody diarrhea associated with weakness, Phosphorus is an excellent medicine. The blood is bright red, and the stool is watery, gushing, and copious. After passing the stool, the individual feels tired, and cramping pain may occur in the rectum. In cases of inflammation of the rectum, phosphorus is given, such as in proctitis.
For Marked Urgency to Pass stool, Aloe Socotrina
One of the best medications for ulcerative colitis with a strong desire to pass the stool is Aloe Socotrina, with the main symptoms. The strong desire to pass the stool exists more in the morning. There is an intense burning in the rectum and the anus. Another important aspect of using Aloe Socotrina is passing jelly-like mucus in the stool.
For Severe Pain in the Rectum While Passing Stool, Nitric Acid
When passing the stool, if there is severe pain in the rectum, Nitric Acid is the best medication choice in ulcerative colitis cases. The individual feels cutting or tearing pain. The pain remains for several hours after passing the stool. In such cases, bright red and profuse bleeding may be indicated along with the stool.
For Gastric Complaints and Joint Pains, Colchicum Autumnale
The medication for ulcerative colitis is Colchicum Autumnale when there is joint pain with gastric complaints. The gastric symptoms involve pain in the rectum and stools with mucus. The pain in the rectum persists long after the stool is passed. The joints can be stiff and swollen when there is pain in them. The pain gets severe if someone touches the bones slightly.
Homeopathic medicines deal with the mind and its influence on the body. Severe cases of ulcerative colitis can improve the quality of life and the disease condition, and if treated with treatment, can cause remissions.
Homeopathic treatment in Philadelphia
You can receive a natural, risk-free, and efficient treatment for ulcerative colitis at the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic under the direction of renowned homeopath and medical doctor Victor Tsan.
To schedule your first visit to the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic and meet Dr. Tsan, contact us at (267) 403-3085 or use our online scheduling application on your laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet.