Colitis: Tips For Relieving Symptoms

Do you have colitis? Here are some simple tips you can take to relieve symptoms. Take notes !

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon  (the large intestine). The symptoms of this inflammation can be very painful, which is why drug treatment is often necessary.

However, some natural remedies can also be helpful in relieving these symptoms and treating colitis, that is, reducing inflammation.

In the following lines, you will learn about the different types of colitis, the most common symptoms, and some useful home remedies for symptom relief.

Colitis: causes and symptoms

There are two types of colitis: acute colitis and chronic colitis.

The first is often caused by viruses or bacteria, while the second can come from different causes (stress, irritable bowel, disease…).

If you have more than one of the following symptoms then it is very likely that you have colitis:

• acute, chronic or serial abdominal pain
• intestinal cramps
• diarrhea
• flatulence
• permanent feeling of wanting to relieve the bowel
• presence of mucus or blood in the stool
• fever
• nausea and vomiting

As soon as you notice the presence of these symptoms, it is best to  consult a specialist as soon as possible, in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

The doctor can then decide whether or not it is useful to prescribe medication.

A liquid-based diet to treat colitis

Usually colitis manifests as watery diarrhea. It is therefore advisable to avoid the consumption of solid foods for two or three days, and to consume only liquids.

The following remedies will help you stop diarrhea.

• Rice water. This remedy is a real grandmother’s remedy. Boil the equivalent of a bowl of rice in six glasses of water until the seeds are soft. Filter the water and drink it warm or cold.

• Chamomile tea.  Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is an effective remedy for colitis.
  • Take a few stalks of chamomile and boil them in a saucepan filled with water. Once the mixture has cooled, serve it in a cup. You can replace the sugar with honey or stevia.
• Cabbage water.  Take some cabbage leaves and boil them in a saucepan for ten minutes. Once the preparation is cold, drink it.

A gentle diet to cure colitis

Once the symptoms start to subside, you can start to gradually add solid foods to your diet.

Start with lean meat, yogurt, lean cheese, and always in small quantities, in order to observe the reaction of your colon.

The applesauce (apple porridge) and  carrots are also good options. Thanks to its alkaline effect, the carrot is also considered an excellent natural remedy.

Avoid sweets

Be aware that the intestine will not be able to perform its functions properly if it is inflamed. It is therefore necessary to follow a diet based on soft foods so as not to aggravate the inflammation and to treat colitis.

To prevent symptoms of colitis, be sure to avoid foods that contain refined sugars (cakes, chocolate, candies), as well as  white bread.

It is also advisable to avoid heavily seasoned meals, alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks.

If your colitis is caused by  stress, nervous breakdowns, or an irritable bowel, do regular relaxation exercises – yoga and meditation are great options.

If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.