Inflammation of your bowel can affect both the small and large intestines. Broadly known as inflammatory bowel disease, the condition includes serious chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Its cause is uncertain, which can make prevention and treatment difficult. However, eating a healthy diet may relieve your symptoms.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
More than 600,000 Americans experience some type of inflammatory bowel disease every year, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Also known as IBD, this condition is an umbrella term for a group of disorders that causes an inflammation of your bowels, the two most common being Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. General symptoms of IBD include pain in your abdomen, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, joint pain, fever, diarrhea that may contain blood, fever and rectal bleeding.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease affects the lining of your digestive tract, causing it to become inflamed, spreading into the deepest layers of your bowel tissue. It is a chronic -- lifelong -- condition for which there is no cure. MayoClinic.com says that some therapies are available that can place patients into long-term remission. Specific symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, blood in your stool, cramping and pain in your abdomen, loss of appetite, weight loss and ulcers. Although ulcers usually occur on the surface of your intestine, you may find them in your mouth as well.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis, like Crohn's disease, affects your digestive tract. It also affects your rectum and intestines -- the difference is how. Crohn's occurs in patches, working its way to the innermost layers, while colitis occurs in continuous stretches. Both produce the same problems -- debilitating pain with no cure, only treatment and possible remission. The specific symptoms of this condition include pain in the rectum, or an urgency to move your bowels with an inability to do so. Rectal bleeding is sometimes the only symptom, while bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain also appear. Bloody diarrhea, large amounts of weight loss and chronic fatigue are possible, along with pain on the left side of your body only if the inflammation is affecting the left side of the colon.
Changing Your Eating Habits
The diet for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is the same, but not every change works for every person. Start by limiting your dairy intake. Your condition may make it difficult for your body to digest the sugar in milk, resulting in abdominal cramping, gas or diarrhea. High-fiber foods can render the same results, but it may only be certain foods. Write down which vegetables, fruit or whole grains cause this to happen. Drinking enough fluids each day, preferably water, replenishes any fluids you lose through diarrhea or bloody stools. Caffeine can make diarrhea worse, while carbonation increases gas. MayoClinic.com recommends speaking with a registered dietitian if your diet is too limited or you begin losing too much weight.
