Life can sometimes put anyone in a tough spot and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are something we all fear as they have a significant impact on the overall quality of life. Ulcerative Colitis(UC) is a prevalent type of IBD, in which the immune system of the human body becomes faulty. As a result, open sores and ulcers are formed in the lining of the digestive tract or colon causing painful symptoms. Pus/ Blood in the stool, reduced appetite, anemia, increased heart rate, and frequent digestive problems are some typical symptoms of the disease. Ulcerative Colitis affects the mental health of the patient as well and can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and affect personal relationships too. Although the symptoms vary from person to person when the disease severity increases it can also cause chronic symptoms including stomach cramps, pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, the immediate urge to use the toilet, and more.
What Is The Cure For Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative Colitis is a complex condition that is caused by an interaction of multiple factors. Genetic, environmental and lifestyle patterns are some main reasons for UC. If you have it let us tell you’re not alone in the struggle. More than 750,000 people in North America suffer from UC but unfortunately to this date, there is no permanent cure for this disease. It doesn’t mean there is no solution. Medications like NSAIDs, Immune system suppressors, and steroids are used to reduce inflammation and other symptoms. Natural remedies are proven beneficial in managing the symptoms of UC and slows down the progression of UC. A change in the daily routine and some lifestyle changes can easily diminish the pain of UC patients and enables them to lead a normal life. Let’s discuss some top natural remedies for UC patients.
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Stay Away From Triggering Foods:
It is an old saying, that you are what you eat. The importance of a healthy diet in overall wellness can not be ignored. Ulcerative Colitis is a disease of the digestive tract therefore the food you eat has a lot to do with the symptoms of the disease. Studies have shown that certain kinds of foods are responsible for the flaring of UC.
If you are a UC patient and fan of high-fat foods or planning to go on a Keto diet, then you should consider dropping the idea altogether. Food with high-fat content can worsen the UC symptoms. Although what kind of food will trigger the symptoms is subjective but you must have basic knowledge about the foods that might aggravate the condition.
Uncooked vegetables, raw fruits, Meat products, Dairy, Alcohol, and Fatty foods are some fundamental types of beverages and foods that can make the condition worse. You must be thinking about what’s left behind to eat. Don’t worry you don’t have to give up everything. Let’s adopt the old practice of maintaining a journal to learn about how your body reacts to different foods. List the food and ingredients that cause discomfort and pain after eating. This way you will have your own guide of food that triggers the symptoms of UC.
Omega 3 rich foods, foods with high fiber content, and those containing Vitamin C are best for people with Ulcerative Colitis. Incorporate them into your diet to reduce the inflammation and for a better gut.
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Active Lifestyle:
Regular Exercise has extensive benefits and an active lifestyle is beneficial for everyone. A strong body is capable of fighting the disease, a proper exercise regime will be very helpful for UC patients to deal with the symptoms of this annoying condition.
UC isn’t just the disease of the digestive tract rather it comes with many complications. It weakens the immune system and decreases the bone density of the patients. Therefore it’s mandatory for people with UC to at least engage in a physical exercise activity three to four times a week to kickstart the healing process and it also helps in reducing inflammation.
Don’t force yourself into something you don’t enjoy. There are countless things you can do to maintain an active lifestyle. Go Swimming, invest in a cute bicycle, or join a sports team. Do what you love to do and this way you will have no reason to avoid your daily exercise. Yoga is also very popular these days that soothes your mind and body and it has a direct impact on the digestive tract.
Excess of anything is bad, so don’t cross the line when it comes to exercise too. Too much of it can also cause systemic inflammation. Find a healthy balance and you can track your exercises also in your food journal to ensure you don’t overdo it.
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Go Herbal:
Herbs are a gift of nature and they are being used since ancient times to treat the problems of the digestive system. Herbs can reduce the inflammatory response and stress which is beneficial for ulcerative colitis. Multiple ways of consuming herbs exist. Herbal Tea and supplements are commonly used by UC patients to manage their symptoms. External application of scrubs and oils that are infused with organic herbs can help in pain management. Below are some preferable types of herbs for UC patients.
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- Psyllium Husk reduces constipation and makes it easier to pass the stool. This would help in alleviating the symptoms of UC
- Ginseng is proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms of UC and inflammation.
- Turmeric has amazing healing and antioxidant properties. Consuming turmeric will decrease inflammation caused by UC.
- Other useful herbs are Boswellia, Ginkgo Biloba, Probiotics, and Boswellia.
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Learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
A healthy lifestyle, medicines, herbs, and avoiding triggering food can help to reduce the nuisances caused by ulcerative colitis. As mentioned before UC is linked with the mind as well. UC patients have to deal with chronic pains and stress and effectively deal with them, it’s recommended to learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is focused on techniques that teach you to control tensions in the body muscles and rapid heartbeat. Patients of different kinds of disorders can benefit from CBT and ulcerative Colitis patients can use this technique to reduce the chronic pain of the disease. At first, the patients will use a device to learn about the response of their body and at later stages, they can spot the stress symptoms without the help of a machine. Having better connections with your body will empower you to control the stress associated with UC and will aid in living a normal life while effectively dealing with the condition.
Some other methods you can use other than CBT to cope up with the stress that can trigger your UC symptoms are.
- Hypnotherapy
- Meditation
- Deep Breathing
- Acupuncture
- Muscle Relaxation Techniques.
Bottom Line:
Ulcerative Colitis is difficult to deal with due to its chronic nature and there is still no cure. Surgery and medication can be toll-taking and have their pros and cons but patients of UC manage the symptoms of UC with Natural Remedies. A little shift in your diet and lifestyle can do wonders and support in managing UC. Be regular with your exercise, learn new techniques, and incorporate herbs in your diet for naturally reducing the symptoms. Join support groups online, talk to other people who are in the same boat, and discuss what they are doing to manage it. You will learn more remedies but it’s essential to talk to a professional doctor before trying out some new remedies. Try remedies in combinations to find out what works best for you.
