Ulcerative Colitis
Free 30-minute First Step Conversation with Russell Mariani
The purpose of this First Step Conversation is to give you the opportunity to describe your current symptoms and condition and any relevant health/medical history to Russell. He will then explain his approach to addressing and resolving your health challenge(s). You will leave this session more hopeful and more confident about solutions!
Hollie's Story: Ulcerative Colitis
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Colitis means “inflammation of the colon.” Any word ending in the suffix “itis” means inflammation; appendicitis, arthritis, gastritis, diverticulitis, esophagitis.
The word, “ulcerative” refers to the fact that there are one or more active ulcers along the wall of the colon or rectum along with the inflammation. The tell-tale symptom of Ulcerative Colitis (commonly referred to as UC) is the presence of blood when you have a bowel movement. Sometimes it is only a little blood; sometimes, a lot.
Ulcerative Colitis can occur anywhere along the six feet of our colon which is divided almost equally in length into three distinct sections; the ascending colon on our right side, the transverse colon which crosses right to left across our abdomen a few inches above our navel, and the descending colon on our left side. The last foot or so of our descending colon is called the sigmoid colon. Typically (but not always) Ulcerative Colitis occurs in the sigmoid colon or rectum. Technically when it appears in the rectum it is called; Proctitis, and if there is blood, Ulcerative Proctitis.
Like all other digestive disorders it is completely correctable and easily prevented from future occurrences. If and only if you eliminate the root causes and if and only if you become more proactive (vigilant-mindful) in your own self-care.
Ulcerative Colitis affects the Colon or Large Intestine
Ulcerative Colitis Causes
As with all other digestive disorders the root causes of Ulcerative Colitis consist of one or more insulting habits and influences over time in seven key areas: mindfulness, hydration, micronutrient deficiencies, macronutrient imbalances, intestinal dysbiosis, oxidative stress and redox signaling imbalances and deficiencies. A list of contributing causes, all habits and influences in our diet and lifestyle include:
poor diet in general
too many processed foods, not enough whole foods
chronic unintentional dehydration
broad spectrum micronutrient deficiencies
an overgrowth of bad bacteria and other pathological organisms (dysbiosis)
eating too many acid forming foods
eating too fast
not chewing enough
eating too many cold foods
drinking cold or iced beverages
inadequate sleep and rest
lack of proper exercise
too much negative stress
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are abdominal pain and loose, irregular bowel movements, with blood present at the time of the bowel movement. It is unusual for people with Ulcerative Colitis to be constipated or to have dry, hard, sluggish type bowel movements, but it can happen that way too. Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or extreme. Other symptoms include:
fatigue
weight loss
loss of appetite
loss of nutrients
sinus congestion
lung congestion
skin lesions
headache
joint pain
mood swings
anxiety
depression
growth failure (specifically in children)
Ulcerative Colitis Remedies
The remedies for Ulcerative Colitis begin with your willingness to pay attention to and become more mindful of the relationship between what, when, how and how much you eat and the normal functioning of your entire digestive system. Ulcerative Colitis is totally preventable and the remedies are completely within your control by making changes in your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes, with mild cases, it can be as easy as correcting one (bad) insulting habit; like addressing your condition of unintentional chronic dehydration by implementing the steps of the watercure recipe.
Most likely you will need to pay attention to and make corrections in all seven root cause areas to be effective. You will need to get properly hydrated and stay properly hydrated. You will need to slow down at meal times and learn to chew your food completely before swallowing. You will need to address micronutrient deficiencies. You will need to eliminate junk foods. You will need to minimize processed foods and learn to integrate more fiber-rich whole food recipes. You will need to address intestinal dysbiosis and learn about the importance of periodic colon cleansing. You will need to understand the importance of specific organic quality whole food supplements including superfoods, digestive enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants. And most importantly you will need to learn how to manage your emotions and all the other stress factors in your life more effectively.
Like all other digestive disorders, Ulcerative Colitis is completely correctable and easily prevented from future occurrences. If and only if you eliminate the root causes and if and only if you become more proactive in your own self-care.
My book, Principle Eating: The No Diet Way to Complete Health and video course The Course in Functional Nutrition will teach you how to do all this. If you want specific step by step guidance and detailed personalized instructions contact me directly through our website and sign up for a free 30 minute First Step Conversation and we can explore the possibility of working together one on one.
Updated in January, 2024