Crohns and Colitis Philippines

Colitis and Crohns in the Philippines -

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The Effects of Diet on Ulcerative Colitis

There is fairly high confidence that there is little connection between poor diet and Ulcerative Colitis/Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - caused almost entirely by a poor diet high in processed foods and low in dietary fibre.
In spite of this diet has a large part to play in minimizing the effects of Ulcerative Colitis - and in the treatment of flare-ups. Care must be taken though with Colitis - as a good diet for a person with colitis differs slightly from that of a person without colitis.

Fibre - and Ulcerative Colitis

There is much confusion in the advice given to people about dietary fibre and ulcerative colitis. To understand this properly it is important to appreciate there are two distinct types of fibre. One - soluble fibre should be encouraged when suffering from colitis - the other - insoluble fibre tends to inflame colitis and should be avoided.

Insoluble Fibre - Detrimental for Colitis

Insoluble fibre is generally bad for ulcerative colitis/IBD sufferers. This is the type of fibre that most people would associate with a high fibre diet. Examples of this type of fibre include -

• Wheat bran/wholemeal bread/bran flakes etc.
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Sweet corn
• Skins peel of vegetables such as apples and grapes

This type of fibre passes through the whole of the digestive tract without being digested - and hence has a tenancy to adhere to the wall of the colon when it is inflamed. This irritates the colon - and hence will aggravate any colitis. As a rough guide if you can see particles/undigested matter in the stool this is insoluble fibre.

Soluble Fibre - Beneficial for Colitis

Soluble fibre is very helpful for colitis and differs from insoluble fibre in that it is broken down/digested in the large intestine/colon. This produces a soft stool and good motions - but does not produce the type of particles that adhere to the bowel wall and cause inflammation. Good examples of soluble fibre include

• The body of fruits - e.g. peeled apples, peeled pears
• Peeled Vegetables - e.g. peeled potatoes and carrots
• Oat bran - e.g. porridge/Ready Brek
• White rice

 

Fish Oils and Ulcerative Colitis

Fish oils - especially from oily fish such as sardines and sild have been shown to have a beneficial effect on colitis. This is because they help to reduce inflammation generally - and they also have a topical effect on the bowel as they pass through. In order to include fish oils in the diet it is recommended that actual fish be used rather than dietary supplements. Sardines especially are very cheap, nutritional - and contain large amounts of the required oils.

Dairy products and Ulcerative Colitis

Those that suffer from ulcerative colitis should avoid excessive amounts of dairy products such as cheese/cream etc. This doesn't mean that they have to be avoided totally - just some common sense used. I would suggest that probably about 2-3 ounces in a day is about the limit. Quantities beyond this are likely to lead to lactose in the colon - which will encourage unhelpful bacteria and inflammation.

Foods to Avoid when you have active Ulcerative Colitis (Flare Up)

There are a number of foods which are best avoided during a flare up of Ulcerative Colitis - or when Colitis is active (i.e. blood or mucous in the stools). These are mainly foods that either include a high amount of insoluble fibre - or very high amounts of dairy fats-

Cabbage/sprouts
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Sweet Corn
Mushrooms
High Bran fibre items - such as wholemeal bread, and high fibre cereal
Raw onions
Tomatoes - especially the seeds
Soya Protein (TVP)
Onions - Especially raw onions
Cheese/cream (tends to cause excess acid/irritation in the gut)

check this out http://www.ulcerativecolitis.org.uk/dietarychanges.htm

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.

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



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