Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis or UC or Colitis Ulcerosa in allopathy

The conventional or allopathic treatment consists of giving combination of large number of medicines which will leave the patient with lot of side effects and a condition which is even worse than UC or ulcerative colitis itself.

The various medicines prescribed in allopathy including surgery and their side effects are :

• Steroid Medicines : Steroids like prednisone are employed to reduce inflammation; prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and methylprednisolone are the most common corticosteroids. These drugs are administered orally, intravenously, by injection, by enema, or by suppository. Their side effects are as follows :
  • Increased rate of infection or decreased immunity
  • Weight gain
  • Acne
  • Hypertension
  • Accelerated osteoporosis
  • Diabetes (type 2)
  • Cataracts or glaucoma
  • Menstruation irregularities
  • A whole slew of emotional disorders: irritability, insomnia, psychosis, and depression
• 5-ASA Compounds : A number of medications used to treat ulcerative colitis all have as their active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). These include sulfasalazine (trade name Azulfadine), a compound that has been used for more than half a century. Its side effects are :
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Cramping
• Immunosuppressive Drugs (Immunomodulators) : The most common examples of immunosuppressive drugs are azathioprine (AZA), Imuran, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) (Purinethol). Side effects are :
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Malaise
  • Liver inflammation
• Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNF) Modifiers : Infliximab (Remicade) is an antibody or biologic response modifier that interferes with the body’s inflammatory response. These drugs target the inflammatory immune factor of a molecule called tumor necrosis factor or TNF. Side effects are :
  • Nausea, fever, dizziness, chills
  • Headaches
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Low blood pressure
  • Labored breathing
  • Pruritus (sensation of itching)
  • There may be an increase risk of lymphoma or cancer of the lymph glands. Studies are currently being conducted to determine the link between taking infliximab and lymphoma.
• Surgery : This is the last option with the allopaths. There is only one surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis or ulcerosa. and it is total colectomy, which is removal of the colon. This surgical procedure cures the disease, since the diseased organ is removed. But this surgery is life altering, since other methods must be used after the surgery for elimination of the waste from the body which significantly affects the life style of a patient.

Homeopathy and UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa

Homeopathy is an elaborate and very detailed medical science based upon the principle of stimulating the body to heal itself. Homeopathy has good scope in the treatment of UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa; especially in the early stages of the condition. The goals in treating ulcerative colitis are to eliminate symptoms, prevent flare-ups (maintain long-term remission) and restore the quality of life.

Research shows that homeopathy offers effective treatment for ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa, which has been scientifically documented. Homeopathy is very safe and can be combined with the conventional treatment / allopathic treatment if required.

For most people, going out to eat or visiting a friend’s house is a pleasurable activity. But for those with ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa, the need to learn ahead of time where the bathrooms are located, or the fear of not reaching on time, can turn simple pleasures into anxiety-filled events.“Because they have special needs, people with ulcerative colitis can start thinking of themselves as outcasts”. All this stresses the patient.

These patients are usually tired of taking various steroids and other allopathic medicines. A large number of people never get treated for ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa because they believe that nothing can be done. The only solution to their problems is systematic homeopathic treatment.

Homeopathy treatment for UC or ulcerative colitis is based on the concept of immuno-correction. While choosing the homeopathic medicine the cause of various symptoms like bloody stools, persistent diarrhea, crampy pain in abdomen and so on are evaluated such as dietary errors, faulty feeding habits, mental stress and so on.

Proper prescription of homeopathic remedies makes the immune system work more efficiently. Homeopathic constitutional treatment will reinforce the immune system by escalating the number of specialized white blood cells called T-lymphocytes that are vital in the body's defense against certain bacteria and fungi, assisting in making antibodies, and facilitating in the recognition and rejection of foreign tissues.

Homeopathic medicines work as a powerful anti-inflammatory agents which will help in reducing the frequency of stools, the urging and discomfort associated with the condition, the passage of mucus and blood in the stools and so on. This way homeopathy will help the patients gradually reduce the various steroidal and immunosuppressive drugs which they have been taking for a long time.

Homeopathic medicines also help in slowing down the progress of the disease and the development of complications. The treatment can help in inducing the periods which are symptom free and can also assist in improving the immunity so that the patient does not face frequent relapses. Homeopathic medicines also improve mental and physical ability to deal with stress, and alter the hereditary predisposition to the disease.

At a later stage of the disease when structural changes have taken place in the body, homeopathy has a palliative role to play in this disease reducing the need for steroids and other immunosuppressive medications.

The remedies soothe and recover the digestive function allowing improved absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food eaten. The nutritional status of the patient also improves with regular homeopathic medication.

Homeopathy can also help to prevent the need for surgery in cases of UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa, if the treatment is opted for at the right time.

Homeopathic remedies for ulcerative colitis or UC are non-habit forming and have no addictive characteristics. Homeopathic treatment comprehensively help improve the quality of life.

There are 38 homoeopathy medicines which give great relief in ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathy physician. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic remedies of UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa are designer made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same surgery or drugs although trade name may be different.

For online homeopathic treatment of ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa, you may e-mail us on dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). In patients with ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms like pain in abdomen, constant diarrhea mixed with blood to an extent that the patient cannot stay out of the toilet or will think of where the toilets are located before leaving for an outing.

The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In this the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed and weak, making digestion difficult and leading to general physical debility. Ulcerative colitis has a gradual onset. Ulcerative colitis, also called Colitis ulcerosa or UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free.

Ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohn's disease (CD). Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic conditions that can last years to decades. They affect approximately 500,000 to 2 million people in the United States of America. The main difference between UC and CD is the area of the digestive tract they affect; Crohn's disease or CD can occur along the entire digestive tract and spread deep into the bowel wall. In contrast, UC usually only affects the top layer of the large intestine.

About 1 in 1000 people in the UK develops UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa. It can develop at any age but most commonly first develops between the ages of 15 and 40. About 1 in 7 cases first develop in people over the age of 60. Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 40 and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

It is found worldwide, but is most common in the United States, England, and northern Europe. It is especially common in people of Jewish descent. Ulcerative colitis is rarely seen in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America, and is rare in the black population. For unknown reasons, an increased frequency of this condition has been recently observed in developing nations like India.

No one knows what causes ulcerative colitis. The theories suggest various intrinsic and extrinsic factors responsible for ulcerative colitis :

• Intrinsic or internal factors include :
  • Hereditary factors / genetic factors : It is seen that if there is immediate family member having ulcerative colitis, then your chances of having the disease increases.
  • Faulty immune system : It is believed that it is responsible for the inflammation of the colon. The disturbance is thought to be either of two :
    • Allergy : Studies suggest that ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa is a form of increased allergic response to certain food or to the presence of some microorganisms in the intestine.
    • Autoimmunity : Most recent research indicate that ulcerative colitis can be a form of autoimmune disease in which body’s defense system starts attacking body’s own organs and tissues. So in UC colon is being attacked.
• Extrinsic or external factors / triggering factors include :
  • Diet : Certain foods items are known to trigger UC or ulcerative colitis like junk food, dairy products and so on.
  • Infections : Studies suggest that certain bacterial and viral infections like CMV (cytomegalo virus) are known to trigger UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa.
  • Drugs : Recent research shows that certain drugs like antibiotics, aspirin, contraceptive pills, NSAID’s are known to flare up UC.

If you suspect you have UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa, talk to your doctor. With the help of a detailed history and physical examination your doctor can diagnose ulcerative colitis. Tests used to diagnose UC include :

• Blood tests : A sample of blood is studied in a lab to find signs of inflammation and anemia.
• Stool sample : A sample of a bowel movement is tested for blood or infection.
• Barium Enema : The doctor injects fluid containing a substance called barium into the rectum. The barium allows the doctor to see the colon on an x-ray. Using this x-ray, doctors can 'see' if there are any ulcers or other signs of UC.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy : The doctor puts a thin tube with a light into the rectum. It allows the doctor to check the rectum and the lower part of the colon for signs of UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa.
• Colonoscopy : The doctor puts a thin tube with a light through the rectum and into the colon. This allows the doctor to 'see' the lining of the whole colon and check for signs of UC.

Symptoms vary. They may be mild or very severe. They may come on suddenly or develop gradually. In some people the severity of the symptoms may vary with the season; worse in winter and less in summer.

Three classic symptoms of ulcerative colitis or UC or Colitis Ulcerosa are :

• Persistent or recurrent diarrhea : In ulcerative colitis this diarrhea is often bloody or full of mucus. When severe, the patient cannot stay out of the toilet. The disorder typically begins gradually, with crampy abdominal pain and diarrhea that is usually bloody.
• Abdominal pain : In ulcerative colitis or UC abdominal pain is often crampy in nature and most intense immediately before a bowel movement.
• Fever.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.

UC or ulcerative colitis or colitis ulcerosa can cause a number of problems outside of the colon including :

• Joint pain or arthritis
• Inflammation in the eye
• Liver and bile duct disease
• Skin rashes
• Anemia
• Kidney stones

Mind plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy or diseased condition of the body. Recent studies has accepted the fact that any kind of emotional stress has definite detrimental effect on the immune system and hence can be the root cause of chronic disease like ulcerative colitis or UC or colitis ulcerosa.

When someone is under stress, the body gears up for a fight-or-flight response by secreting certain hormones, including adrenalin, as well as molecules called cytokines. They stimulate the immune system, which triggers inflammation. In people whose ulcerative colitis is in remission, this sets the stage for the return of their symptoms, known as a flare-up.

• Life threatening bleeding
• Perforation of the intestines and inflammation of the abdominal cavity
• Malnutrition
• Involvement of the joints, eyes, skin
• Colon cancer: The risk for development of colon cancer increases after 10 years of ulcerative colitis.
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: An inflammatory disorder of the small and large bile ducts tends to be progressive in nature.
• C-Reactive Proteins: Raised levels are indicative of an active inflammatory process in the body.