Ulcerative colitis refers to a chronic digestive disorder believed to the be result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the bowel. Ulcerative colitis is one of the two diseases included in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Colitis is characterized by a sudden, unpredictable bout of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Modification of diet can help control symptoms associated with the disease. Consult with your doctor if you have symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Cause
No single cause for ulcerative colitis has been established. One theory is that the body reacts aggressively to an unidentified virus or bacteria by causing inflammation of the intestine. Genetics also appears to play a role. A patient who has a relative with the disease is 10 times more likely to develop the disease than someone in the general population. Diet is not the cause of colitis, but dietary modifications are essential in controlling symptoms.
Symptoms
In ulcerative colitis, the lining of the bowel is affected, causing inflammation. Patients will present with diarrhea, abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding. The abdominal pain is relieved following a bowel movement. Ulcerative colitis can lead to massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
Diet
According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," dietary modifications for patients with ulcerative colitis are usually based on the patient's tolerance and avoidance of irritating foods. Despite patients' belief that foods affected their disease course, no reported dietary behavior was shown to reduce the incidence of relapse of illness. You should try small amounts of foods that you suspect of increasing colitis symptoms to determine your tolerance levels.
Recommendations
Ulcerative colitis puts a patient at a risk for malabsorption and malnutrition. Foods high in fiber, fat and lactose may increase the diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to "Better Nutrition," the most common problem foods include seeds, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens. In addition, products that contain caffeine and spicy foods can aggravate the symptoms.
Patients with ulcerative colitis still need a adequate intake of calories and nutrients. Protein from meats, fish, poultry and eggs is recommended. Cooked fruits and vegetables without skin or seeds are generally well tolerated. Consuming adequate fluids is important if you have ulcerative colitis. "Better Nutrition" recommends drinking eight to 10 glasses of fluid per day.
Supplements
During periods of excessive diarrhea, patients may need dietary supplements, particularly vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Nutritional deficiencies are due to malabsorption. The overall nutritional recommendations for patients with colitis are individual, based on the extent of the disease. According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," do not eliminate foods from your diet without a fair trial.
References
- "RN"; Inflammatory bowel disease; J. Veronesi; May 2003
- "Better Nutrition"; Nutritional Rx for Crohn's and Colitis; Figueras; May 2010
- "Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; F.A. Davis; 2011
