Under the umbrella of diseases that cause an inflammation of the digestive tract is a condition called ulcerative colitis. This disease results in painful and often embarrassing bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain that cause weight loss for some individuals. While ulcerative colitis is not caused by food allergies, what you eat and how you time your meals may help to ameliorate some of your symptoms. Consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or if your weight loss becomes dramatic.
About Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology and with no known cure. The disease causes sores to develop in the lining of the colon and rectum. The severity of the symptoms depends on the extent to which the colon and rectum are inflamed, but the disease commonly presents with bloody diarrhea, fatigue, rectal bleeding, dehydration, anemia, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping and weight loss. Individuals with ulcerative colitis typically experience intermittent flareups with no symptoms in between.
Weight Loss
Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and rectum, which aren't directly involved in the absorption of nutrients. However, weight loss can still be a symptom of the disease for a number of reasons. First, because nausea, abdominal cramping and loss of appetite are symptoms of ulcerative colitis, patients often find it difficult or painful to eat. Second, the colon is the major site of water reabsorption. When it is inflamed, as with ulcerative colitis, the result is moderate to severe diarrhea which causes water weight loss.
Solutions
It is important for individuals with ulcerative colitis to eat a healthy, nutritious diet. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try to eat small snacks every few hours. On days when your symptoms are particularly severe, stick to bland foods such as bananas, bread, rice and applesauce. Dehydration is one of the biggest concerns with ulcerative colitis. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America recommends drinking at least 0.5 oz. of fluid for every pound of body weight each day. For example, a 120-lb. woman would need to consume at least 60 ounces of water.
Considerations
It is a common misconception that ulcerative colitis is caused by food allergies. While this isn't the case, some individuals find that their symptoms are exacerbated by certain foods including caffeine, dairy products and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Keep careful record of your eating habits and note any foods that seem to aggravate your condition. With your physician's consent, temporarily eliminate those foods from your diet during flareups.
