Colitis and Crohn's Disease - GUTSY WALK

Colitis is inflammation (swelling) of the colon (large intestine) that may or may not include blood or mucous in the stool.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (lifelong) illness and the inflammation can strike anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, which is from mouth to anus, but it is usually located in the lower part of the small bowel and the upper end of the colon. 

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Colitis can have many different causes, including:

• Infections, including those caused by a parasite, food poisoning, bacterial or by a virus
• Lack of blood flow (ischemic colitis)
• Inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease)
• Past radiation to the large bowel

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Chills
• Constant urge to have a bowel movement
• Fever
• Weight Loss
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Pain
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Lack of energy
• Abdominal pain 
• Constant bloating that comes and goes
• Dehydration
• Bloody stools

With both Colitis and Crohn’s disease, there may be frequent flare ups and times when the disease has gone into remission. There is a 30% flare up risk in any one year.

Nutrition and Diet Intake:

When a flare up occurs, there are certain things you can do to help you through an episode, such as:

• Reduce fat intake (it may be harder for you to digest)
• Try lactose free products
• Try glucose free products
• Eat smaller meals but more frequently throughout the day
• Try identifying trigger foods and eliminate those from your diet
• Reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners if you notice it aggravates your gut
• Try identifying foods that are safe for you to consume and case the least irritation
• Try drinking fluid after your meals

Signs and tests

A health care practitioner (Urologist) will perform a physical exam and ask you certain questions about your symptoms:

• How severe your pain is
• How long it lasts
• How long you have suffered from symptoms
• How often it occurs
• Whether you have been traveling
• How often you have diarrhea

The urologist can diagnose colitis by inserting a tube in the rectum (colonoscopy) and evaluate specific areas of the colon. Biopsies may be taken during the testing which may show changes related to inflammation.

There are other studies that can identify colitis, which include:

• Barium enema
• Abdominal MRI
• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal X-ray

Complications include:

• Bleeding
• Toxic megacolon
• Hole in the colon
• Sore (ulceration)

Colon Cancer

On a global scale, Ontario has the highest rate of colon cancer in the world. If inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is detected earlier, there is a 90% chance of curing it. The earlier it is detected, the best chance there is for survival. 

Please keep in mind, as age increases, so does the risk. 

There is no cure for Colitis or Crohn’s Disease... YET. 

Holistic and natural care may reverse the disease and may help with symptoms.

Walk To Find A Cure!

On June 10, 2012 make a change by participating in the GUTSY WALK for Crohn’s and Colitis!

There will be many cities participating in the Gutsy Walk in Beautiful BC: Abbotsford, Vancouver, Surrey, Kamloops, Nanaimo, and Victoria. For detailed information, please click: http://www.gutsywalk.ca/EN/find/national_events.html#bc 

Make a difference and make a change.

Click on the following link for more information: http://www.gutsywalk.ca/EN/index.html

Finding Relief

Massage can be used during periods of remission for patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease to manage chronic pain, but it should also not be used during an active flare-up of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease as it can exacerbate the pain and increase the risk of intestinal perforation.

Acupuncture has also been known to benefit people with colitis. This procedure involves inserting needles in your skin, which is known to stimulate the release of the body's natural painkillers.


NIS can also help greatly for digestive issues. It helps to maintain digestive health, and support immune system functions. NIS uses non-invasive procedures to identify and provide focus on the issues, and helps maintain healthy bodily functions.

Information provided by: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002112/