Colitis Treatment & Diet Symptoms

Colitis is a condition where the colon is inflamed. Causes include infections, poor circulation and auto-immune reactions. Infections include food-borne illnesses, while an example of poor circulation would be ischemic colitis, where the bowels may become twisted. A hernia might cause decreased blood flow. Auto-immune causes include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Crohn's disease.

Symptoms

• The two main symptoms of colitis are diarrhea and abdominal pain, and other symptoms include blood in bowels, constant urge to defecate and fever or chills.

Medical treatment

• Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. In the case of ischemic colitis, IV fluids are typically used, and sometimes surgery might be necessary.

Nutrition Concerns

• When diarrhea and/or bleeding has occurred, the results can include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and nutritional deficits.

Common food triggers

• Some frequent triggers of symptoms in colitis include caffeine, carbonated beverages, raw vegetables, spicy foods, high fiber foods, alcohol, dried beans or legumes, dried fruits, seeded fruit, meats, popcorn, refined sugar, foods with sorbitol, and--if lactose intolerant--dairy foods.

Other treatments

• Other ways to deal with colitis include adding B12 to the diet, eating small meals, eating probiotic yogurt, keeping a food diary to pinpoint trigger foods, consulting a nutritionist, and exercising and practicing relaxation techniques.