Colitis is a chronic condition that causes your large intestine, or colon, to become inflamed, which can cause several gastrointestinal symptoms. Colitis has different causes. The treatment for the condition depends on the cause of the condition, though chiropractic care might help prevent inflammation. Consult your physician about specific treatment options.
Symptoms and Causes
Many factors can cause colitis. Acute and chronic infections such as food poisoning can contribute to colitis. Inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome can also cause colitis. Lack of blood flow and past radiation in the colon are other, less common causes. Symptoms of colitis vary, but often include abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, bloody stool, dehydration, fever and increased intestinal gas. Your doctor will diagnose colitis by performing a colonoscopy.
Treatment
The treatment of colitis often depends on the type of colitis you are experiencing. For acute colitis, the infection causing the colitis is treated with medication. Other types of colitis might be treated with diet or lifestyle changes. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help relieve your symptoms. For severe cases, your doctor will perform surgery to remove the colon and the rectum. Two different surgeries are often performed for colitis, and your doctor will choose the one that has the best chance of relieving your symptoms.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic is a type of health care that focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Chiropractors provide a drug-free approach to treatment. Along with focusing on back pain or problems in the joints, chiropractors provide nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Some chiropractic care clinics offer treatment for colitis and other types of gastrointestinal diseases. Working with a chiropractor, you can learn which foods will help relieve your colitis symptoms. Although you might still need medication or traditional care, chiropractic treatment might help you reduce medications or experience fewer symptoms.
Research
No valid research studies suggest chiropractic care is effective for treating colitis. However, case studies indicate chiropractic care can be helpful in the treatment of colitis. A case study published in the “Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research” in 2003 found that chiropractic care helped relieve symptoms of chronic colitis. Follow your physician’s recommendations regarding treatment for your colitis. Your condition might require medication or other treatment in addition to chiropractic care.
References
- PubMed Health: Colitis
- Prater Chiropractic Wellness Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- PubMed Health: CMV - Gastroenteritis/Colitis
- MayoClinic.com: Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
- American Chiropractic Assocation: What is Chiropractic?
- Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research: The Resolution of Chronic Colitis with Chiropractic Care Leading to Increased Fertility
