Crohn’s Disease Mind and Body

There are many conditions that can affect the digest system with Colitis being one them. Their symptoms of these various conditions can often be similar, which makes their eventual confirmed diagnose sometimes protracted.

Many of these conditions are somewhat similar and can often be confusing. Typically the cause and symptoms of Colitis are often confused with the Crohn’s disease signs and symptoms. We will try in this article to help you to identify these common symptoms and help you begin to understand how to spot the difference.

What Is Colitis?

Basically, Colitis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the colon, or large intestines. When this area of the body becomes inflamed, it sometimes leads to ulcers that bleed and produce a mucus or pus.

Other symptoms of colitis include :-
i) Loss of appetite,
ii) Weight loss,
iii) Cramping,
iv) Abdominal pain,
v) Fever,
as well as other symptoms.

The initial uncertainty when diagnosing these symptoms is that they are those given by a Crohn’s sufferer.

There are many theories as to the cause and symptoms of Colitis and despite the research undertaken there is still no definitive definition or explanation. Most are convinced that some type of infection or virus is responsible for it, since the result is inflammation.

The research suggests that it might be caused by the immune system being over stimulated to normal bacteria in the digestive tract. Or other kinds of bacteria and viruses may cause the disease.

There is also a general approval that Ulcerative Colitis is not brought about by stress, as once thought.

Whilst, at present, there is no cure for colitis symptoms there are several effective treatment options.

One thing about Colitis that you should be aware of is that colitis symptoms will go into remission and later return. These flare-ups can be unpleasant and unpredictable, which is why being able to ‘manage your condition is vital to you having a full and active life.

Colitis Treatment

The most common treatments include things such as dietary changes and prescription drugs. When all else fails, it may require surgery to alleviate colitis symptoms. This would consist of removing the affected part of the colon. This is usually used only as a last resort.

It’s important to seek treatment as soon as it becomes apparent that the condition is present. If cause and symptoms of colitis are left untreated, many other problems could arise. Diarrhea causes the body to lose fluids faster than normal. Dehydration and, again like Crohn’s disease, malnutrition can be the result. Being unable to process certain foods the body is unable to extract the nutrition that it needs. Supplements are therefore often necessary to ensure the body is getting all of the vitamins and minerals it requires.

and Finally

Whilst most people seem to come to terms with the cause and symptoms of colitis sometimes this mental ‘coming to terms’ with their condition is impaired by the rising mental distress simply because it is an embarrassing disease to talk about. Perhaps due to the part of the body affected?

Time and time again I hear support groups having to help deal with the mental pressures sufferers feel. There is no doubt about it, being a colitis sufferer can bring about changes in a person’s day to day activities. Obviously I don’t know your current health status or your heath before Colitis was diagnosed but in most cases that I’ve personally encountered changes did happen. Interestingly, the changes were recommended were not the type of changes that the sufferer’s first thought would be imposed.

Rather than the expected very sedentary life style, exercise was on the timetable. Another misconception was the very limited diet that Colitis sufferers have to deal with – Wrong. OK we we have to watch our diet and there will be times when I eat what is called my flare-up diet and times when I eat my ‘everyday foods’ but in conjunction with my consultant I have been able to put together a management program that has given me great confidence and freedom. I hope you can achieve just the same.

As an aside may I say if you feel isolated or fighting a battle on your own, please look up your local support group. They are a great source of information and companionship.