Ulcerative Colitis

Question: What is the difference between "colitis" and "ulcerative colitis"? I have been trying to find information on colitis and all that seems to come up is information on ulcerative colitis. What is the difference between these two? Are they the same? Also, if you know of any websites or resources that have to do with colitis please post them! Thanks.

Answer: I have/had ulcerative colitis since I was 17 and had my colon removed 4 yrs ago - I'm doing very well now (and live practically a normal life - with no bags either). The way I understand it is that colitis can be caused by a bacteria and can be "cleared up" by antibiotics, whereas UC is more of an auto immune disease where the immune system "overreacts" constantly and causes inflammation in the colon (no matter if there's a foreign body or not (like an allergen)).

Question: What is the youngest diagnosed case of Ulcerative Colitis? Im worried my son has Ulcerative Colitis. I have another open question but no one has answered. My son is 5 1/2 mnths and Im concerned he has U.C. Does anyone know the youngest diagnosed case?

Answer: I know of a 4 year old with U/C that goes to the same doctor that treats me. It is a desease that has had a lot of research done on it but has few asnswers. A few things that I found out was: it is found in a lot of people that move from an agrarian to urban settings and is also believed to be stress related.( I don't know what kind of stress a 4 year old could have.) You may want to talk to your doctor about an asacol treatment and if it is appropriate

Question: What foods can i eat with ulcerative colitis? I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, i dont really want to go on Steroids as just 10 mg had nasty side effects for me! What foods are safe to eat with UC and promote healing?

Answer: If your ulcerative colitis is from gluten intolerance, then you need to avoid ALL gluten containing food. This is found in wheat, rye, barley, sometimes even oats. This includes food processed with wheat flour...like breaded chicken. I myself kept having colitis back to back (my gyno told me what it was---the pain, bloating, ect), and I cut out gluten. I found out that I can buy GLUTEN FREE oats....and I STILL have a problem with THAT (it was gluten free granola, and just a tablespoon sprinkled on my yogurt put me in AGONY!!). So, I now know that Oats are a HUGE problem for me besides the fact of gluten. BTW, oats themselves usually do not have gluten to begin with---it is the finishing process (they dust the machines with wheat flour to help the oats cut and pass smoothly through the machines). Some people have a lactose problem too....luckily, I do not. If you search the internet, you may find some good (or some not so good) information on ulcerative colitis and or gluten free. Unfortunately, the normal "BRAT diet" (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast does not always work for this, as the TOAST is usually loaded with gluten if it is normal bread....and only makes the problem worse.) Hope this info helps you out. Feel better, good luck!!

Question: When comparing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE? A. the cause of Crohn's disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known. B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant. C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery. D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

Answer: D.

Question: What type of food should a Ulcerative Colitis patient eat? What type of food should a Ulcerative Colitis patient eat?

Answer: some of the foods that i have notice that can cause a flair up , are tomatoes or anythihng that is tomatoe base, spicy foods. sometimes dairy products. what i have been doing for a while is trying diffrent things and i write down what it was and i also put down if it cause me to have any kind of reactions to it and then when i go to the Dr. i can let him know what i had an the effect of it.

Question: How many people have heard of Krohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis? I do a lot of work to bring about awareness of Krohn's Disease (which I have) and Ulcerative Colitis, so I was wondering how many people really know what it is. If you do, where did you learn about it? If you know someone with either would you be willing to share a story about it with me? Especially if the person is younger, like me and the people I talk to about it...Do you have any questions about it you would like to ask me? Thanks so much! *Crohn's, sorry for the mispelling, it was a typo

Answer: I have known a few people with Crohn's disease, and with Ulcerative Colitis. There are a couple of groups on Yahoo that can help you meet others with the disease, and can help you with symptoms, medicines, and other issues. I joined a group for IBD and it really helps with food choices, and figuring out what to expect.

Question: What food should be avoided for ulcerative colitis? I have been suffering from ulcerative colitis for the last 2 1/2 years. Can anybody suggest what medicines I should take and what food I should avoid? Because of blood leakage my haemoglobin level goes down. What food would give more iron and hence to absorb the iron what food to take?

Answer: It varys from person to person, but I am sure you know your trigger foods. Things like spicy or strong flavours, sometimes milk, acidic drinks like orange juice and also fizzy pop. Caffine is also not a great idea. Iron rich foods include anything green and leafy like spinich or liver.

Question: How to deal with ulcerative colitis? I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis last year. I want to know if anyone has suggestions or advice for dealing with relapses. Doctors often say that diet has little to do with the disease and does not affect remission and relapse, but I find this hard to believe. Any suggestions are welcome.

Answer: I was diagnosed with UC 18 years ago and many times I found that diet made a difference, however, not always. Try to stick to a strict eating regime; eating at the same time everyday, avoid snacking, eating a low-fat, low sugar diet. etc. Eat food in moderation and not too much of any one food. Drink an adequate amount of water (not too much) and be sure to get the right amount of rest. Of course, as you know, there doesn't seem to be anything you do when you have a flare up. In these instances I try to fast or eat smaller meals to lessen the side effects and sometimes even take an Imodium or two. Exercise also makes a big difference. I notice that when I walk or cycle, my symptoms really seem to subside. The biggest thing you can do for yourself is to RELAX. From my experience UC folks tend to be worriers. If you're like me, you're calm on the outside, but a bundle of nerves on the inside. Take a walk, read a book, listen to some music, but find a way to let go of your stress in your own way. Good luck to you!

Question: Is a lack of energy normal in ulcerative colitis? I start of my day with energy, by 1pm i have very little energy and cant keep my eyes open, i also can not do too much in a day or in a week or i become ill and sleep for days. I do not have anemia and my bloods come back ok, but i have been diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis?

Answer: I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in February, and yes I have noticed that I feel weaker/more tired. It may have because I had a lot of loss of blood-anemia. Check with your doctor. You should share with them anything you have encountered. It can help research and it could be affective towards your health.

Question: Is there any other way to help my ulcerative colitis without medications? I have ulcerative colitis and i was going to the doctor, but the medicine was not doing me any good, it actually felt worst. I don't kno what to do this is a horrible thing to have i feel like i can't go out like normal people for a long time because im always going to the bathroom any advice would be very much appreciated thanks

Answer: I know exactly how you feel. The medicines my doctor prescribed actually made my symptoms worse and the Prednisone made me puff up like a balloon. At a certain point I began wondering what it was that had caused me to have UC in the first place, and I became a little wary of flooding my body with chemicals. Unfortunately the dietary changes and even naturopathic treatment didn't work for me either. I eventually decided to see a therapist. I just went to my college's counseling office--they weren't even experienced with my condition. What my counselor was experienced with, though, was students coping with stress. It was in that office that I finally began to understand my condition as very (maybe even mostly) stress related and induced. The act of talking to someone about everything I had going on in my life really helped. She was also able to suggest some things I could do to become less stressed, such as getting better at saying "no" to commitments my schedule couldn't handle, even if I really wanted to be involved. I dropped a class and took more "me" time. And I haven't had a flare-up since. I'm off meds and in remission, and so happy to have my body back. I would suggest you find a counselor. If it doesn't help manage your symptoms it will at least help manage your psychological health while coping with the condition. Best of luck. I feel you.

Question: Ulcerative Colitis? I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis since 2002 and have been taking 6 Asacol a day and sometimes tapering dose of steroids (prednisone) when I have flare ups. I have been reading online about the bad effects of long term use of steroids. I know a few people who have taken steroids for long periods of time. I was wondering if there is any one out there who takes steroids (prednisone and such) as part of their ongoing daily treatment. Please share any experience that you might have.

Answer: Hi! I was diagnosed with crohns disease 2 1/2 years ago. I am currently taking steroids too, and actually just had to go up with the dose the other day as the tapering started to affect me. i hate being on them as I get a humungous appetite, and my face goes soooooo round i look like a balloon!!! On the same note, I dont have so many effects of my crohns when i am on them. We can never win! when i was first diagnosed, i was taking steroids for a year. So far, even after long term use, i havent had any real bad side effects, my bone density is still ok. the only thing i can really complain about is my weight issue now, but im working on that. Sorry if i havent helped much, but sometimes its nice to just hear from people who share similar experiences. Email me if you want to chat about anything else bianca.zeni@yahoo.com.au Cya!!!! xxxxxxxx Bianca

Question: Does anyone have any natural remedies for Ulcerative Colitis? I have ulcerative colitis and 28 years old. Dr wants to operate if not controlled by medication. The medication i am on doesn't seem that effective. Any Ideas?

Answer: Well, again I have to agree with everything Zambiti just said including getting Jordan Rubin's book. Along with the Bee Propolis add about a cup of Aloe Vera juice or gel to you routine everyday or if symptoms are severe drink about a half cup thirty minutes before each meal. You want to be careful not to give yourself diarrhea so self regulate. You might want to check into using some Boswellia too, very healing.

Question: Is There Any Way to Safely Consume Alcohol with Ulcerative Colitis? I'm a 20 year old male with ulcerative colitis. Being my age, all my friends go to parties and have a good time drinking while I'm stuck being the designated driver all the time. Is there any safe way to drink with my friends without regretting it in the morning with horrible pain? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer: Yes.... put a gun to your head first...... why would you want to drink that rot-gut just to be accepted.... Be your own person.... First.... and that means doing what is best for you.

Question: How is Ulcerative colitis caused, or transmitted? How is Ulcerative colitis caused, or transmitted? i've already tried wikipedia; it has everything i need besides how it's transmitted or caused.

Answer: Okay, I will tell you what I know of it because Im a nurse. :o) Hope I help a little.... Ulcerative colitis actually has no known cause. You can not transmitit to anyone, its not a disease of that kind. It is said to be idiopathic, which means it comes on with no warning or cause. There are 2 factors that are said to play a part in the development of the disease but it has yet to be determined if they are actual causes. These factors are heredity and a weakend immune response. I guess those 2 things make sense if you really think about it. With a weakend immune response, you are more suseptable to pretty much anything, and if it runs in your family, well....yeah, you have a higher chance of getting it. Hope this helps!! :o)

Question: Is it best to have a C Section whilst giving birth with ulcerative colitis.? I have heard lots of horror stories about women loosing continence for weeks after giving birth normally whilst having ulcerative colitis, due to the pressure of pushing excessively on the bowel. I am considering asking my consultant for an elective section. Was just wondering had anyone any knowledge of this?

Answer: It really depends on whether you've already had surgery for your UC. I have severe Crohns, and because I've already had 2 bowel resections my OB is determined not to do anymore surgery unless theres a really good reason. Ask your gastroenterologist their advice, they'll have experience of pregnant women with UC. Also, are you seeing a high risk pregnancy obstetrician? If so, they should also have experience of pregnancies with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Question: Have u heard of or are taking this Ulcerative Colitis Medicine? My doctor has recently prescribed me for this "wonder drug" for ulcerative colitis. it is called -----Infliximab---excuse the spelling might be wrong! this is really ment to help and if u are taking this or have been prescribed for it, please tell me if has or is making a difference.

Answer: hi sio, I have crohn's disease which is a type of IBD like colitis. I was on Remicade aka infleximab to get things under control. It worked great the first 2 times. kept me in remission for a 1 1/2 yr. the first time, 1 yr. the second time, but failed a 3rd time. This product has mouse dna which some pts. build up a tolerance to over time. Humira has been approved for Crohns and Iialda just came out for UC. For more accurate information, go to the Crohn's & Colitis of America site. They the latest in updated information ranging from diet, meds, surgery, women's issues, to finding a local support chapter near you. They also have a live chat & a hotline that is run by healthcare workers well versed in IBD M-F 9 am - 5 pm. Feel free to email me if you have questions. I truly understand your questions and concerns. Wishing you a life time remission.