The most common surgical procedure to cure ulcerative colitis includes the creation of a ileostomy, which redirects stool to exit the body through a portion of small intestine that is routed through an opening, or stoma, in the abdomen. The second most common surgical procedure, the ileoanal pull-through, preserves a portion of the rectum so that normal bowel movements can occur. Both procedures result in lifestyle changes for the patient.
Lactose Intolerance
1. Many people afflicted with ulcerative colitis report an intolerance to the lactose found in milk products. However, this allergy typically disappears after surgery and a diet including milk products can be enjoyed again.
Ileostomy
2. An ileostomy requires daily and weekly maintenance. Every day, a plastic bag attached to the stoma will need to be emptied whenever it becomes full. The bag should be changed weekly, and the skin around the stoma cleaned to prevent irritation.
Ileoanal Pouch
3. Certain foods, including spicy dishes and leafy greens, may increase output for patients that have the ileoanal pouch. Meanwhile, consuming foods such as bean sprouts and nuts can lead to an intestinal obstruction.
Support Groups
4. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, learning what to expect after surgery by talking to others who have already been through it will help alleviate fears.
Famous Ties
5. Rolf Benirschke, former placekicker for the San Diego Chargers, had surgery to remove his colon in 1978. Despite living with an ileostomy, he went on to play seven more seasons as a professional football player.
Read more: Life After Ulcerative Colitis Surgery | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5255154_life-after-ulcerative-colitis-surgery.html#ixzz1GbjYrA7d
Showing posts with label Ulcerative Colitis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ulcerative Colitis. Show all posts
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Understanding Ulcerative Colitis
Some Practical Tips and Home Remedies
One can be so despondent and helpless when facing ulcerative colitis. But changes in diet and lifestyle may help control its symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.
Diet
There's no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. However, certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It's a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:
* Limit dairy products. If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, you may find that diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try using an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose.
Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you'll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.
* Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them. Check with your doctor before adding significant amounts of fiber to your diet.
* Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods, such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.
* Eat small meals. You may find that you feel better eating five or six small meals rather than two or three larger ones.
* Drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.
* Make a food journal where you can write the food that helps and does not help. This diary will go a long way.
Stress
Although stress doesn't cause inflammatory bowel disease, it can make your signs and symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups. Stressful events can range from minor annoyances to a move, job loss or the death of a loved one.
When you're stressed, your normal digestive process can change, causing your stomach to empty more slowly and secrete more acids. Stress can also speed or slow the passage of intestinal contents. It may also cause changes in intestinal tissue itself.
Although it's not always possible to avoid stress, you can learn ways to help manage it. Some of these include:
* Exercise. Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's right for you.
* Regular relaxation and breathing exercises. An effective way to cope with stress is to perform relaxation and breathing exercises. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or practice at home using books, CDs or DVDs.
* Other techniques. Set aside time every day for any activity you find relaxing — listening to music, reading, playing computer games or just soaking in a warm bath.
Thanks to UCVlog for the pictures.
Get in touch with CFP (Colostomy Friends of the Philippines) for your questions and other queries.
One can be so despondent and helpless when facing ulcerative colitis. But changes in diet and lifestyle may help control its symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.
Diet
There's no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. However, certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It's a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:
* Limit dairy products. If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, you may find that diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try using an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose.
Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you'll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.
* Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them. Check with your doctor before adding significant amounts of fiber to your diet.
* Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods, such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages.
* Eat small meals. You may find that you feel better eating five or six small meals rather than two or three larger ones.
* Drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.
* Make a food journal where you can write the food that helps and does not help. This diary will go a long way.
Stress
Although stress doesn't cause inflammatory bowel disease, it can make your signs and symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups. Stressful events can range from minor annoyances to a move, job loss or the death of a loved one.
When you're stressed, your normal digestive process can change, causing your stomach to empty more slowly and secrete more acids. Stress can also speed or slow the passage of intestinal contents. It may also cause changes in intestinal tissue itself.
Although it's not always possible to avoid stress, you can learn ways to help manage it. Some of these include:
* Exercise. Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's right for you.
* Regular relaxation and breathing exercises. An effective way to cope with stress is to perform relaxation and breathing exercises. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or practice at home using books, CDs or DVDs.
* Other techniques. Set aside time every day for any activity you find relaxing — listening to music, reading, playing computer games or just soaking in a warm bath.
Thanks to UCVlog for the pictures.
Get in touch with CFP (Colostomy Friends of the Philippines) for your questions and other queries.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Ulcerative Colitis in the Philippines
ULCERATIVE COLITIS
The term ulcerative colitis refers to the condition of an inflamed colon. It further complicates by perforating the linings of the intestines if not treated well. It most often manifests to cause symptoms between the ages of 15 and 40. The presence of fever and bloody diarrhea as I mentioned indicates colonic tissue damage. The ulcerations on the surface of the intestines can be compared when we scar and wound our outer skin and it starts to form scabs but does not completely heal because it constantly peels off due to continuous rubbing of the colon against other surfaces. Once food is taken in and peristalsis begins, the intestine becomes irritated as the food passes in a fast forward motion causing poor absorption. Also, this triggers gas, bloating and both a bloody and watery diarrhea. Sometimes, ulcerative colitis can be so detrimental that patients may develop inflammation in unrelated areas like the eyes, joints and the skin. Taking low fiber and low fat diet will lessen scratching of the colon. Other possible causes of ulcerative colitis can be attributed to an immune system dysfunction, uncooked foods that trigger bacterial infection and the pressure of stress.
Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Meet with us on August 1, Saturday 10:00 am at Trinoma Quezon City
Text me at (Ronald) 0916.666.75.86
Thank you
The term ulcerative colitis refers to the condition of an inflamed colon. It further complicates by perforating the linings of the intestines if not treated well. It most often manifests to cause symptoms between the ages of 15 and 40. The presence of fever and bloody diarrhea as I mentioned indicates colonic tissue damage. The ulcerations on the surface of the intestines can be compared when we scar and wound our outer skin and it starts to form scabs but does not completely heal because it constantly peels off due to continuous rubbing of the colon against other surfaces. Once food is taken in and peristalsis begins, the intestine becomes irritated as the food passes in a fast forward motion causing poor absorption. Also, this triggers gas, bloating and both a bloody and watery diarrhea. Sometimes, ulcerative colitis can be so detrimental that patients may develop inflammation in unrelated areas like the eyes, joints and the skin. Taking low fiber and low fat diet will lessen scratching of the colon. Other possible causes of ulcerative colitis can be attributed to an immune system dysfunction, uncooked foods that trigger bacterial infection and the pressure of stress.
Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Meet with us on August 1, Saturday 10:00 am at Trinoma Quezon City
Text me at (Ronald) 0916.666.75.86
Thank you
Monday, June 2, 2008
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the large intestine, or colon. It usually affects the lower section (sigmoid colon) and the rectum. But it can affect the entire colon. In general, the more of the colon that’s affected, the worse the symptoms will be.
Ulcerative colitis can affect people of any age, but most people who have it are diagnosed before the age of 30.
What causes Ulcerative Colitis?
Experts are not sure what causes ulcerative colitis. They think it might be caused by the immune system overreacting to normal bacteria in the digestive tract. Or other kinds of bacteria and viruses may cause the disease.
Ulcerative colitis is not caused by stress, as people once thought. But if you have ulcerative colitis, stress can make it worse. You are more likely to get ulcerative colitis if other people in your family have it.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are:
a. Belly pain or cramps b. Bloody diarrhea or an urgent need to have a bowel movement c. Bleeding from the rectum.
Some people also may have a fever, may not feel hungry, and may lose weight. In severe cases, people may have diarrhea 10 to 20 times a day.
It can also cause other problems, such as joint pain, eye problems, or liver disease. But these symptoms are more common in people who have Crohn’s disease.
In most people, the symptoms come and go. Some people go for months or years without symptoms (remission). Then they will have a flare-up. About 5 to 10 out of 100 people with ulcerative colitis have symptoms all the time.
Ulcerative colitis sometimes leads to more serious problems. It can cause scarring of the bile duct. This can lead to liver damage. In rare cases, severe disease causes the colon to swell to many times its normal size (toxic megacolon). This can be deadly and needs emergency treatment.
People who have ulcerative colitis for 8 years or longer have a greater chance of getting colon cancer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
