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That is the textbook answer. In reality there are many things that contribute to causing UC, and therefore there are things people can do. Yes. Genetic factors play a role, but to what extent depends on the individual. Some suggestions for taking care of colon health:
Take antibiotics only when absolutely necessary.
Take NSAIDs only when absolutely necessary. There is evidence that NSAIDs can cause microscopic colitics and can make symptoms for those with UC worse. If you need to take any pain killers, choose acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). Don't use aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve).
Do not use accutane (a medicine prescribed for severe acne that has been associated with causing UC).
Take probiotics to help balance the fecal flora.
While there is no evidence that diet causes UC, diet does play a very strong role for many who have the disease. Avoid any foods that cause diarrhea. Eat lots of spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables (assuming they do not give you diarrhea). Avoid foods, beverages, and ingredients that are hard on the liver, such as alcohol and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Poor digestion can trigger flares.
And try to reduce stress as much as possible. Get plenty of sleep, meditate, etc.. Stress can also trigger flares.
There are studies being done in regard to UC. The two most well-known ones are small case studies of undertaking fecal transplantation to put bacteria that has been lost back in the colon and genetic studies to determine which genes are genetic markers for UC. Fecal transplantation has been especially promising for those who have colitis due to C-diff in addition to others who are getting flares due to an imbalance of fecal flora.
Gibsonboy, if you show no signs of UC and no one in your family has the disease, then I wouldn't worry about it. However, you probably wouldn't be asking if that were the case.
Take antibiotics only when absolutely necessary.
Take NSAIDs only when absolutely necessary. There is evidence that NSAIDs can cause microscopic colitics and can make symptoms for those with UC worse. If you need to take any pain killers, choose acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). Don't use aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen (Aleve).
Do not use accutane (a medicine prescribed for severe acne that has been associated with causing UC).
Take probiotics to help balance the fecal flora.
While there is no evidence that diet causes UC, diet does play a very strong role for many who have the disease. Avoid any foods that cause diarrhea. Eat lots of spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables (assuming they do not give you diarrhea). Avoid foods, beverages, and ingredients that are hard on the liver, such as alcohol and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Poor digestion can trigger flares.
And try to reduce stress as much as possible. Get plenty of sleep, meditate, etc.. Stress can also trigger flares.
There are studies being done in regard to UC. The two most well-known ones are small case studies of undertaking fecal transplantation to put bacteria that has been lost back in the colon and genetic studies to determine which genes are genetic markers for UC. Fecal transplantation has been especially promising for those who have colitis due to C-diff in addition to others who are getting flares due to an imbalance of fecal flora.
Gibsonboy, if you show no signs of UC and no one in your family has the disease, then I wouldn't worry about it. However, you probably wouldn't be asking if that were the case.
To control Ulcerative colitis, drink pomegranate juice (or chew the fruit and discard the hard seed).Do the kapalbhati pranayam for 30 minutes, twice a day.This works gradually, so be patient and allow months to notice the benefit.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Your feedback when you experience the benefit, will help others.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Your feedback when you experience the benefit, will help others.
Did you not read what I wrote, "Do not use accutane (a medicine prescribed for severe acne that has been associated with causing UC)."
Accutane has been known to cause UC.
The medical community is only now starting to realize the role that bacteria plays in this disease. And yes, an imbalance of fecal bacteria in the colon can cause UC. I took antibiotics for some 20+ years for skin inflammations. After many years of having IBS symptoms as a result, IBS symptoms that just kept getting worse and worse, I had a serious flare and was diagnosed with UC. I then did fecal transplantation and went into remission immediately. This was some four years ago. I no longer have IBS.
Unfortunately, I had to take antibiotics again for an infection about two years ago, and I developed a very mild flare that was limited to the rectum. I changed my diet and started taking probiotics, and the flare went away. As long as I keep with my diet and the probiotics, I have been able to stay in remission.
In addition, it is also now known that diet can reduce symptoms of the disease. Patients have been able to get into remission and stay there with diet. If diet can get patients into long-term remission, and in some cases permanent remission, then this isn't much different from using diet to help prevent getting the disease to begin with. If the trigger never occurs, then the person will never get the disease.
As for smoking, why even mention it? The side effects of smoking are far worse than the side effects of getting one's colon removed.
As for removing the appendix, it has been shown to reduce the risk of getting this disease. Apparently though, it's because people who have had their appendix removed do not have the bacteria Bacteroides. Again, we are seeing that bacteria plays a role in UC.
Accutane has been known to cause UC.
The medical community is only now starting to realize the role that bacteria plays in this disease. And yes, an imbalance of fecal bacteria in the colon can cause UC. I took antibiotics for some 20+ years for skin inflammations. After many years of having IBS symptoms as a result, IBS symptoms that just kept getting worse and worse, I had a serious flare and was diagnosed with UC. I then did fecal transplantation and went into remission immediately. This was some four years ago. I no longer have IBS.
Unfortunately, I had to take antibiotics again for an infection about two years ago, and I developed a very mild flare that was limited to the rectum. I changed my diet and started taking probiotics, and the flare went away. As long as I keep with my diet and the probiotics, I have been able to stay in remission.
In addition, it is also now known that diet can reduce symptoms of the disease. Patients have been able to get into remission and stay there with diet. If diet can get patients into long-term remission, and in some cases permanent remission, then this isn't much different from using diet to help prevent getting the disease to begin with. If the trigger never occurs, then the person will never get the disease.
As for smoking, why even mention it? The side effects of smoking are far worse than the side effects of getting one's colon removed.
As for removing the appendix, it has been shown to reduce the risk of getting this disease. Apparently though, it's because people who have had their appendix removed do not have the bacteria Bacteroides. Again, we are seeing that bacteria plays a role in UC.
Hi reflect8ion,
What you have mentioned are measures to prevent flareups and worsening of UC.
These dont prevent anyone from getting the disease.
Smoking appears to reduce the risk of acquiring UC. But I wont advice anyone to smoke to prevent UC.
Removal of appendix also reduces the risk. But I dont suggest this option also.
What you have mentioned are measures to prevent flareups and worsening of UC.
These dont prevent anyone from getting the disease.
Smoking appears to reduce the risk of acquiring UC. But I wont advice anyone to smoke to prevent UC.
Removal of appendix also reduces the risk. But I dont suggest this option also.
Hi,
The cause of UC is not known.
Many factors play a role in the disease process including genetic factors and environmental factors.
There are no proven preventive meaures for UC.
The cause of UC is not known.
Many factors play a role in the disease process including genetic factors and environmental factors.
There are no proven preventive meaures for UC.
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