Speculation about the role of diet in ulcerative colitis, or UC, covers every facet of the disease. At one point or another, diet and eating habits were believed to play a role in the origin and cause of UC, control of flares and treatment. Even cures related to special diets have been proposed. None of these associations proved true in scientific studies, states the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
Causes
Classified as an inflammatory bowel disease along with Crohn's disease, UC affects up to half a million Americans, according to a November 2007 review of the disorder in "American Family Physician." In UC, an autoimmune disorder, the body mistakenly attacks the colon. This attack creates ulcers in the lining of the colon, resulting in bloody stool with mucous. Ulcerative colitis involves the colon and rectum but does not extend to the small intestine or other parts of the gastrointestinal system.
The cause of ulcerative colitis remains undiscovered. Known genetic tendencies predispose to UC, and environmental factors potentially trigger the abnormal immune reaction. Despite much suspicion surrounding diet, no definitive link has been made. Research searching for food causes of UC, such as a large study published in the journal "Digestion" in January 2008, has failed to identify any such causes.
Symptoms
After the onset of symptoms, the disease stays mild in more than half of all patients, according to MedlinePlus. In mild disease, ulceration remains limited to the rectum or lower colon. While annoying, the symptoms of mild colitis usually don't disrupt daily life and often consist of little more than mucous in the stool and increased urgency with bowel movements. The classic complaints in UC include bloody diarrhea, urgency with bowel movement and tenesmus -- a continuous urge to pass stool even when the bowels are empty. Since oral intake of food stimulates the digestive system and seems to bring on these symptoms, many patients mistakenly believe that food is damaging their colon or that a food allergy must be responsible for their disease.
Significance
During flares of active ulcerative colitis, certain foods might seem to worsen symptoms. Most patients find they must avoid foods that are harder to digest, such as raw greens and vegetables, nuts, seeds and mushrooms. Consuming these foods, as well as dairy products and foods high in sugar content, may lead to increased bloating, gas and diarrhea, explains the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
In spite of worsened symptoms, no evidence shows increased inflammation of, or damage to, the colon with these or other foods. Diet for active ulcerative colitis should, therefore, be guided by symptoms and not fear of affecting the disease course.
Treatments
Special diets proposed as cures for colitis, such as those that advocate avoiding long lists of foods, have no scientific evidence for their effectiveness. About two-thirds of ulcerative colitis cases respond to medical therapy and remain under control without further intervention, according to "American Family Physician." Surgical intervention becomes necessary when colitis no longer responds to medication or when complications from severe disease become debilitating or life-threatening.
Warning
Information on this site or the Internet in general should not be used to diagnose or treat symptoms. Attempts at self-diagnosis and treatment may be harmful and often cause delays in obtaining professional medical care. Bloody diarrhea results from a long list of potential causes, some of them urgent or life-threatening. Any symptoms resembling UC as well as any new or concerning health issues must be evaluated by a physician.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Ulcerative Colitis: Diagnosis and Treatment; Robert C. Langan, M.D. Patricia B. Gotsch, et al; November 2007
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: Diet and Nutrition
- MedlinePlus: Ulcerative Colitis
- "Digestion"; Diet in the Aetiology of Ulcerative Colitis: A European Prospective Cohort Study; A.R. Hart; R. Luben, et al; Jan 1, 2008
