Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. It is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the lining of the large intestine and rectum.
In this condition, the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. Researchers and doctors believe it may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Although there is no single cause of ulcerative colitis, some risk factors are associated with it like family history of the condition, weakened immunities, smoking cigarettes, and taking certain medications.
This article will cover homeopathic remedies for ulcerative colitis, the cause behind Popeye’s elbow, symptoms, risk factors, prevention and management, and complete treatment.
Causes of Ulcerative colitis
Causes of ulcerative colitis can be attributed to various factors these factors may include genetic, environmental, weakened immunity, and lifestyle choices. Let us explore each of these choices in detail.
1. Genetic
One potential cause of ulcerative colitis may be genetics. Studies suggest that up to 20% of those with ulcerative colitis have a family history of the condition.
This suggests that certain genetic mutations may play a role in the development of ulcerative colitis.
2. Environmental factor
Environmental factors may also be a contributing factor for those with ulcerative colitis.
For example, exposure to certain toxins or harmful chemicals has been linked to an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
Additionally, living in an area with poor sanitation or water quality could also increase your risk of developing the condition.
3. Lifestyle factors
Lifestyle factors may also play a role in the development of ulcerative colitis. Studies suggest that stress, smoking, and certain types of diets are all linked to an increased risk of developing the condition.
Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is thought to reduce the risk of developing ulcerative colitis.
Types of Ulcerative Colitis
There are several types of ulcerative colitis, including:
Ulcerative proctitis
This is the mildest form of the disease and only affects the rectum. Symptoms include rectal bleeding and occasional rectal pain.
Proctosigmoiditis
In this type, inflammation extends beyond the rectum and affects the sigmoid colon.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and urgency to have a bowel movement.
Left-sided colitis
This type of ulcerative colitis involves the rectum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Pancolitis
This is the most severe form of ulcerative colitis, affecting the entire colon. Symptoms are often severe and include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and significant weight loss.
Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative colitis
- Abdominal pain
- Rectal pain
- Involuntary bowel movement
- Bloody diarrhea
- Mucus in stool
- Joint pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Repeated infection
- Bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning sensation in the stomach
- Anemia
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Cramps in the abdomen.
Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis
While the exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, several factors increase the risk of developing the condition. These include:
1. Genetics
People with a family history of ulcerative colitis are at higher risk of developing the disease.
Certain gene mutations have been associated with an increased susceptibility to ulcerative colitis.
2. Age
Ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in adolescence or early adulthood. However, it can also develop in older individuals.
3. Environmental factors
Factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to certain infections or pollutants may contribute to the development of ulcerative colitis.
Although, there is no single cause of ulcerative colitis, some risk factors such as a weakened immune system, smoking cigarettes, and taking certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antibiotics.
Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis begins with a complete medical history regarding onset, modalities, and severity of the symptoms and performing a physical examination.
It is usually made by clinical examination that is by signs and symptoms experienced by the patients.
Doctors may also order stool tests to check for any illness or infection and, blood tests to check for anemia or a white blood cell count, which can indicate inflammation.
In addition to the physical exam, your doctor may also order imaging tests to get a better look at what is going on inside your body.
Your doctor may also order a colonoscopy and biopsy to check for infection or other diseases that could be causing your symptoms.
If you suspect you have ulcerative colitis, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or gastroenterologist who can evaluate your condition, provide an accurate diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Prevention and Management of Ulcerative Colitis
- The best way to prevent a flare-up of ulcerative colitis is to avoid the triggers that can set off an attack. common triggers include stress, certain foods (such as dairy products or spicy foods), and smoking.
- Keeping a food diary can help you identify any foods that might be triggering your symptoms. Avoiding these foods can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
- It is also important to get enough rest and exercise to help keep your immune system healthy. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
- Additionally quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of developing ulcerative colitis or worsening an existing condition.
- Diet plays an important role in managing ulcerative colitis. Eating small meals throughout the day can help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
- It is also important to focus on eating nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables while avoiding processed and sugary foods that can cause inflammation. Adding fibers to your diet can also help reduce inflammation and promote regularity.
- There are a variety of medications that can be used to manage ulcerative colitis. These include anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics.
- In addition to medications and diet modifications, lifestyle changes can also be beneficial for managing ulcerative colitis.
- Stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, or relaxation exercises can help reduce flare-ups.
- Additionally, avoiding alcohol and taking probiotics regularly have both been shown to improve symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis.
- In severe cases of ulcerative colitis that does not respond to medication, surgery may be necessary. This usually involves the removal of the colon and rectum and may require the creation of an ostomy.
- Proper counseling and assurance to the patients along with proper management can help a lot in recovery from such a condition.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Ulcerative Colitis
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that treats not only the symptoms of the disease but also the man who is suffering from the disease.
So, after a complete detailed history of present and past disease and considering the family history, a drug is prescribed which will be based on the individualization of every patient.
In mild cases, improvement can be seen within weeks, whereas in severe cases of ulcerative colitis, the improvement will take a longer time. Along with homeopathic medicine, patients must follow a healthy regimen for optimum results.
Now, let us go through some of the homeopathic medicines that can help to treat ulcerative colitis. Some of the best homeopathic medicines for the treatment of this condition are mentioned below: –
- Acetic acid
- Alumina
- Argentum nitricum
- Nux vomica
- Lycopodium
- Arsenicum album
- Bryonia alba
- Podophyllum
- Bismuth
- Kali bichromicum
1. Acetic acid: for burning pain in the stomach as of an ulcer
Acetic acid is a marvelous remedy for treating ulcerative colitis. It can be prescribed when a patient complains about burning pain in the stomach.
This medicine can be prescribed in case of rectal bleeding that eventually causes anemia. Therefore, this medicine is highly suitable for anemic patients.
The main indication of this medicine is violent burning pain in the stomach, burning waterbrash, and profuse salivation.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c 4 globules (pills) dissolved in half a cup of water 2 times a day for 15 days.
2. Alumina: for colicky pain in the abdomen
Alumina is a suitable remedy for treating gastric complaints. It can be prescribed when there is chronic eructation, chronic constipation, and inactivity of the rectum.
Patients of alumina have an abnormal appetite and they crave starch, chalk, charcoal, etc. It is a wonderful remedy for treating chronic gastric ulcers.
Dosage and potency: 200c, 4 globes of Alumina in half a cup of water thrice a day till the symptoms disappear. Take 15 minutes gap between meals and medication.
3. Argentum nitricum: for ulcerating pain in the stomach
Argentum nitricum is one of the effective remedies for treating ulcerative colitis and gastric ulcers. It can be prescribed when complaints about ulceration of the stomach with radiating pain.
There are painful spots over the stomach that radiate to all parts of the abdomen.
Argentum nitricum is a highly prescribed remedy for colic pain in the abdomen due to ulcers in the colon. There is stitching and ulcerative pain on the left side of the stomach, below the ribs.
On the mental plane, the patients of the Argentum nitricum are fearful, nervous, and very impulsive. They want to do things in a hurry and for them, the time passes too slowly.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c, take 4 drops of dilution in half a cup of water twice a day, till the improvement is seen.
4. Nux vomica: for colon ulcer when eating worsens pain
Nux vomica is one of the polychrest remedies and has action on almost every part of the body. It is a highly effective medicine in treating ulcerative colitis and other gastric complaints when the condition becomes worse after eating.
It can be prescribed when there is a pain in the stomach that arises after eating fatty oily, and spicy food. There is soreness of the abdominal wall with distension of the flatus.
The main indication of Nux vomica is that the patient desires stimulants. The region of the stomach is also very sensitive to pressure.
Dosage and potency: 200c potency take 4 globules (pills) twice a day till the improvement occurs.
5. Lycopodium: for bloating of the stomach
Lycopodium is one polychrest remedy and effective homeopathic medicine in treating gastric ulcers with a bloated abdomen.
This medicine can be prescribed when patients crave sweet and there is ravenous hunger, wakes up at night feeling hungry but, after eating there is pressure in the stomach with a bitter taste in the mouth.
It can be given when a patient complains about burning pain in the lower abdomen and distension of the abdomen after eating.
On the mental, there is an aversion to undertaking new things. Patients of lycopodium are apprehensive, there is a loss of self-confidence and weakness of memory also well marked.
Dosage and potency: 200c or 1m potency of dilution, take 2-3 drops of Lycopodium in half a cup of water one time a day for 3 days.
6. Arsenicum album: for vomiting of blood in ulcerative colitis
Arsenicum album can be prescribed in case of gastric trouble after taking cold, spoiled foods or over-ripened fruits. There is intense burning in the stomach and vomiting of blood after acute bleeding from gastric ulcer.
The main indication of the Arsenicum album is that there is burning pain like coals of fire relieved by warm food and warm drinks. Abdomen becomes swollen, tender, and painful.
On the mental plane, there is great anguish and restlessness. Patients want to change the place continuously, there is fear of death, and being left alone is prominent.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c potency, take 2-3 drops of dilution in half a cup of water and take twice a day till the improvement.
7. Bryonia: when gastric complaint worse from warm things and better by cold things
Bryonia is a very effective remedy when given in case of ulcerative colitis. It can be prescribed when there is an inflammatory condition of the stomach and abdomen with severe pain after eating.
There is stitching and bursting pain in the pit of the stomach and the epigastric region and may occur immediately or two hours after food.
This medicine can be given when gastric complaints are worse from warm things and better from cold things. Patient appetite is good, but the patient is afraid to eat.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c, 4 globules (pills) twice a day till the improvement is seen.
8. Podophyllum: for diarrhea after eating acidic food
Podophyllum is a remedy highly known for its marvelous effect on gastric complaints. It can be given in case of heartburn when foods turn sour after eating.
It can be well indicated when the contents of the stomach rush immediately into the oral cavity and due to this sudden spasm patient screams out.
The stool of podophyllum patients has characteristics described as 5 ‘P’s. profuse, putrid, painless, polychromatic, and prolapse of the rectum with great prostration.
There is diarrhea after eating acidic fruits, during the summer season, and when exposed to sun rays.
Dosage and potency: – 200c, 1 M potency, take 4 globules directly on the tongue once a day for 15 days.
9. Bismuth: for hyperacidity due to ulcerative colitis
Bismuth is a very effective homeopathic medicine usually given in vomiting in large quantities with intense thirst as soon as it is taken. The vomitus of food is very offensive.
This remedy is highly effective in case of hyperacidity due to gastric stasis, the stomach is affected without involving prepyloric, but when the ulcer is formed it is usually close to the pylorus.
On the mental plane the patient of bismuth is restless, sleep disturbed on account of voluptuous dreams. Dread being alone wants somebody with him, wants to narrate his complaints. If these symptoms are seen in any patients along with gastric ulcer, then bismuth can be prescribed.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c take 3-4 drops of dilution in half a cup of water twice a day.
10. Kali bichromicum: for dysenteric stool or diarrhea alternating with rheumatic pain
Kali bichromicum is an often indicated medicine in treating gastric complaints. It can be indicated in catarrhal condition of the gastrointestinal tract, with chronic ulcer in the colon.
This medicine can be given to patients who have a great desire for alcoholic drinks which makes them sick. There is nausea and vomiting followed by diarrhea due to cold drinks, alcohol, and weak digestion.
The main indication of this remedy is that the gastric symptoms become worse in the summer season. Pains are severe, stitching, stinging, and shooting, and wander from one place to another.
Pain comes suddenly and disappears suddenly, pain in a small spot that can be covered with the tip of a finger.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c potency, and higher potency of kali bichromicum are effective, take four globules under the tongue, once a day for two weeks or until the improvement appears.