My wife has been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. We need Info?

Question

Our family doctor has set her up with a specialist. And has her taking Asacol and prednisone. But did not give us much information. Does any one know about this diesease?

Answer 1

Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that effects the digestive track including the colon. I have had it for about 4 years. She can expect to have flare ups. Where she will have diarrhea, pain, nausea etc.. The Asacol is a very good medication for the management of this problem. And the prednisone helps with the lose stool. Please check out these web sites for more info.
www.webmd.com
www.medscape.com
www.livingwithuc.com
www.ccfa.com
These site will give you the information you are looking for.
But the best information will come from the Specialist. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you know about her condition the easier it will be for her and you to deal with.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease which involves an autoimmune phenomenon in which the large intestinal walls become inflammed and patients present with symptoms of pain, fevers, and diarrhea (sometimes bloody). Suppressing the immune system with medications like prednisone are often the first line treatments, and other medications like Asacol can help keep the disease under control and prevent flare-ups, although this can still happen. In cases where the symptoms are severe and do not respond to medical therapy, surgery (i.e. colectomy) may be necessary. In some cases, prophylactic colectomy may be done because UC can predispose one to the development of colon cancer. Screening for colon cancer is therefore important in those patients who have the disease under contol but have their colon intact. Close follow-ups with a gastroenterologist will be important.

Answer 3

My daughter-in-law has ulcerative colitis and was taking prednisone and started to experience the negative side effects. She started taking all-natural Optiflora which actually treats the cause rather than just the symptoms. As time went by her doctor consistently reduced her medication.

Optiflora is a two-product system which uses new technology to protect beneficial microflora during the rigors of shipping, storage, and the acidic journey through your stomach. Other products claim live microflora at the time of manufacture.

It includes Probiotic (Bifidus & Acidophilus...microflora) + Prebiotic (FOS...food source for microflora). Patented guaranteed delivery of 500 million microflora to intestines.

Hope this is useful and feel free to contact me with questions or the website - not available OTC.

Answer 4

Ulcerative colitis has a strong emotional component. Being understanding and supportive is indicated.

Answer 5

Go back to the doctor with a list of your concerns/questions.

Answer 6

Colitis
(Colon trouble)
Definition
Inflammation of the colon or large intestine, especially its mucous membrane.

Symptoms
This is characterized either by runny or constipated bowels, mucoid discharge from the bowel, weakness felt in the abdomen, often headache, pain, dizziness, etc.

There is often a connection between colitis and stress. We see diarrhea, pain, cramps, and even in the later stages, bleeding and dehydration. Calcium deficiency is common.

Cause
This is caused by faulty diet, too many food mixtures irritating the stomach and bowels, hasty eating (insufficient mastication and saliva), taking liquids while eating, excessive use of cathartics, and foods cooked in aluminum.

The infection of the bowel which results from meat-eating also gives rise to colitis and causes a spastic or contracted condition of the descending colon, a condition found in the most obstinate forms of constipation.

Herbal Aids
1.Garlic Oil for Chronic Colitis, Ulcerated Stomach, etc. Take the garlic oil internally over a period of time, 1 dessert spoonful 3-4 times daily.

2.See formula for cathartic injection for colitis using bayberry, African ginger and pinus.

3.See formula for colitis using white oak, golden seal and myrrh.

4.Dr. Christopher's Colitis Formula: Contains marshmallow, slippery elm, comfrey root, lobelia, ginger, wild yam. This formula is for the relief of colitis, and should be used in conjunction with the lower bowel formula and the mucusless diet.

5.Slippery Elm: Many recommend beating up an egg with a teaspoonful of the powdered bark, pouring boiling milk over it and sweetening it. Taken three times a day this way or in the form of a mucilage it is said to be wonderful in curing gastritis, gastric catarrh, mucous colitis and enteritis.

6.From Questions to Dr. Christopher's Newsletter. Question: Is there a natural treatment for mucous colitis (spastic colon) where one could not eat raw vegetables or use laxatives? Answer: Colitis is an inflammation of the colon or large intestine and especially of its mucous membrane. This is characterized either by runny or constipated bowels, mucoid discharge from the bowel, weakness in the abdomen, recurrent headache, pain, dizziness, etc. The cause of this condition is a faulty diet, too many food mixtures which irritate the stomach and bowels, hasty eating with insufficient mastication and salivation, consuming excessive liquids with meals, overuse of cathartics and eating food prepared and served in aluminum kitchenware.

The best and quickest way to treat the condition is to reverse the habits listed above: (1) Eat only when hungry and not between times of hunger. (2) Drink no fluids while eating and this includes a period of fifteen to twenty minutes before meals and thirty minutes after eating. We suggest this so that the chewing of food will produce a thin paste of liquid out of the food and natural saliva. The flowing saliva will act as a signal causing the digestive juices to start for better assimilation. (3) Follow the instructions given in The Three Day Cleanse and Mucusless Diet preferably using the carrot or apple juice as the cleansing agent. Chew the juices by swishing them around in the mouth. As suggested in the booklet, use as juice as is desired. (4) Each day have a cup, three times per day, of tea or green drink made up of three parts comfrey root or leaves, slippery elm bark, mullein leaves and one part lobelia. (5) Have a dish or more of gruel made with presoaked, low heated, uncooked grains, singly or grouped. Barley, wheat, rye, millet or buckwheat are all excellent choices. To one of the grains or a mixture of several of them add 1/4 or 1/3 of their volume in flaxseed and/or psyllium seed. When eating this gruel, honey or a fresh, first pressed, mild tasting olive oil may be used. (6) Breath deeply each day for ten minutes or more to aid digesting. (7) Use as much of our lower bowel tonicas is needed to produce three or more bowel movements per day. Think health and watch the improvement.

7.Juices for Colitis: Carrot, carrot & coconut, pear, fig.

8.Cabbage: Apply 3 or 4 layers of cabbage leaves over the abdomen each evening and secure in place to be left on overnight. Drink also the juice between meals.

9.Vegetables for Colitis: Cabbage, carrots, parsnips, winter squash.

Testimonials

It's been a long time since I have written you and I feel that I must tell you that I have gotten rid of the colitis I had for years and the doctors diagnosed as a nervous stomach and prescribed tranquilizers, which of course I didn't take. At that time I came across an article written by you, entitled, "Does Your Colon Feed or Poison You." I immediately started to take Red Clover Combination plus Naturalax 2, it took about six months but it finally went. The pain was very bad but all I heard from doctors was "you have a nervous stomach." but I knew it had to be more than that. I thank GOD and you. Dr. Christopher for cure that I have had due to that wonderful pamphlet that came my way, just when I needed it most.

Answer 7

checkthis link& if you have specific question, you may ask me
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2336.htm