What is Colitis?

Many people are affected every day by a horrible disease that unless treated could make them unable to even leave their home. It is important to not only manage colitis but to also know that not one treatment fits all. Colitis can be attributed to many factors such as heredity, stress and some have even said spiritual issues. The fact remains that every year many Colitis sufferers never get their condition managed because they simply believe they are doomed to a suffering.

There are many situations that colitis can surface in. Colitis can begin as what seems like the flu but never quite recovers. One might have severe explosive diarrhea during a period of stress and believe it is just something that will pass. Often however when mucous and blood exist in the intestinal tract an infection can create complications.

Some cases of Colitis can become so severe that removal of the colon would be recommended. Once inflammation, infection and bleeding begin it is difficult to eliminate.

Colitis Complications

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that typically affects those between the ages of 15 and 40, can cause abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and fever. If left untreated the condition can eventually become life threatening.

More than one third of patients in a new study who had colitis that did not respond to steroids were infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), the investigators found. A form of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis causes the large intestine to become inflamed and ulcerated, leading to bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Colitis can also occur in patients with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall.

More than half of the population is infected with CMV, a type of herpesvirus. The virus rarely causes problems in adults with healthy immune systems, although it can cause symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, such as those infected with HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS.

Colitis Treatments

Whether bacterial or viral, colitis can be treated and when treated effectively people are able to return to a life of normal living.

Nutritional and natural means are getting more and more effective in the treatment of Colitis. From removing grains and sugar from the diet to taking garlic and high doses of probiotics, many have seen complete recovery.

In dealing with Colitis all sources whether a Natropath or a Medical Doctor will agree that the whole patient needs to be treated. Oftentimes depression and withdrawl can occur from the fear that an episode will reoccur that is out of control. Colitis is a whole-body disease that deserves more than just a diet change or steroids.

Colitis Maintenance

While this author is not a medical doctor, I have experienced personally life threatening Colitis. A combined approach of nutritional supplementation and diet, along with stress reduction routines has allowed me to live a nearly symptom free lifestyle. Resources like http://www.mercola.com have been invaluable to me. I recommend you not only treat your Colitis but also achieve a maintenance program that you can live with.