HOMOEOPATHY FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, particularly the colon. It is considered as one of the one of the two bowel diseases along with Chron’s disease.

The condition is characterized by inflammation within the linings of the gut walls. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine ( colon) and rectum.

Types

Doctors often classify ulcerative colitis according to its location. Types of ulcerative colitis include:

·         Ulcerative proctitis. Inflammation is confined to the area closest to the anus (rectum), and rectal bleeding may be the only sign of the disease. This form of ulcerative colitis tends to be the mildest.

·         Proctosigmoiditis. Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon (lower end of the colon). Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels in spite of the urge to do so (tenesmus).

·         Left-sided colitis. Inflammation extends from the rectum up through the sigmoid and descending colon. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain on the left side, and unintended weight loss.

·         Pancolitis. Pancolitis often affects the entire colon and causes bouts of bloody diarrhea that may be severe, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue, and significant weight loss.

·         Acute severe ulcerative colitis. This rare form of colitis affects the entire colon and causes severe pain, profuse diarrhea, bleeding, fever and inability to eat.

Causes

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors may aggravate but don't cause ulcerative colitis.

One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When  immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract, too.

Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease. However, most people with ulcerative colitis don't have this family history.

Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs. Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Diarrhea, often with blood or pus

·         Abdominal pain and cramping

·         Rectal pain

·         Rectal bleeding — passing small amount of blood with stool

·         Urgency to defecate

·         Inability to defecate despite urgency

·         Weight loss

·         Fatigue

·         Fever

·         In children, failure to grow

Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate symptoms. The course of ulcerative colitis may vary, with some people having long periods of remission.

Risk factors

Ulcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and men. Risk factors may include:

·         Age. Ulcerative colitis usually begins before the age of 30. But, it can occur at any age, and some people may not develop the disease until after age 60.

·         Race or ethnicity. Although whites have the highest risk of the disease, it can occur in any race. High risk in  Ashkenazi Jewish descent,

·         Family history.  Higher risk if  a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, with the disease.

Complications

Possible complications of ulcerative colitis include:

·         Severe bleeding

·         A hole in the colon (perforated colon)

·         Severe dehydration

·         Liver disease (rare)

·         Bone loss (osteoporosis)

·         Inflammation of your skin, joints and eyes

·         An increased risk of colon cancer

·         A rapidly swelling colon (toxic megacolon)

·         Increased risk of blood clots in veins and arteries

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When ulcerative colitis    is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

SULPHUR 200- Start treatment with this remedy.

MERCURIOUS SOL: Merc sol is one of the top remedies for ulcerative colitis. The stools are bloody slimy with a constant desire to pass stool. A never get- done feeling is present. Fever.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM: Argentum nitricum is another excellent remedy for colitis. Membranous stools and the flatus expels with noise. Stools, shreddy, mucus, turning green like chopped spinach. There is pain in the region of the spleen

ALOE SOCOTRINA: Aloes is also a useful remedy for colitis. There is a constant bearing down sensation in the rectum. Bleeding is present. Rectum feels sore and hot , and is relieved by cold water. Lot of mucus and wind is expelled with stools and the pain in remains in the rectum after passing stools. Jelly like stool.  There is a gurgling sound in the rectum.

ALLIUM SATIVA: Allium sativa is effective in high fevers and fleshy persons. It is useful when colitis with stools containing shreds of intestinal mucous membrane is present.  Cutting pain in abdomen and loins. Great hunger.

ATISTA RADIX: Passes only blood along with stool with intense navel pain. Flatulence.

CEPHALANDRA INDICA : Greenish mucus with stool, tinged with blood. Pain before and during stool.

COLOCYNTHIS: Colocynth is another effective remedy for colitis. It is indicated when severe cutting pain in abdomen is present forcing the patient to bend double. Stool renewed each time by the least food or drink. Jelly like stools. Slippery bubles escape from anus.  Pains worse from anger. There is bitter taste in mouth

CYNADON DACTYLON: Flatulence and abdominal cramps. Stools irritating with acrid odor, urgency and noisy expulsion. Stool after food. Chronic diarrhea.

MERCURIUS DULCIS: Merc.Dul.Is also useful for colitis. Here the stools are scanty mixed with blood, mucus and bile. Constant desire without tenesmus.  Anus sore and burning.

MERC COR: Great urge to pass stool, even immediately after defaecation. A never gone feeling. The stool is hot, bloody , slimy and offensive with cutting pain and shreds of mucous membranes. The abdomen feels bruised and is bloated and very painful to the slightest pressure.

LACHESIS: Lachesis is one of the leading remedies for colitis when colitis with offensive diarrhoea alternating with constipation is present. Here the abdomen is very sensitive to touch. Beating in the anus as from hammers.

COLCHICUM AUTUM: Colchicum is another effective remedy for colitis. There is distension of abdomen with wind. Also the patient feels pain in the region of liver. The stools contain shreds.

ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM  30- Diarrhea alternates with constipation.Stool  is slimy with much mucus, but also contains hard lumps. Tongue coated thick white. Cravings for acids and pickles

CHINA OFFINALIS: Colitis after eating fruits or ice water , milk. There is yellow watery stools with flatulence . Another key point is absence of pain. Worse after eating.

FICUS INDICA: Haemorrhage before evacuation. Stools are bloody with pure red blood and colic.

HAMAMELIS : Hamamelis is useful for controlling the bleeding of the disease

FERRUM PHOS 30, FERRUM MET 30- These remedies are used for correcting anaemia  due to colitis.

MAGNESIA CARBONICUM: The abdomen is distended Another leading symptom is in diarrhea the stool is green and forced out.

SEPIA : In Sepia there is entero- colitis. The leading symptom the choice of this remedy is always worse after taking milk.

KALI BICHROMICUM: There is chronic ulceration and perforation with cutting pain, soreness and burning.

SELENIUM MET: Selenium is prescribed when colitis is caused by tuberculosis of peritoneum.

STAPHYSAGRIA : Ulcerative colitis after insults and injuries like after rape.

TEREBINTHINAE: Entero- colitis with haemorrhage and ulceration of bowels

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS: Thuja is prescribed when colitis occurs on account of amoebic dysentery .