Colitis Causes, Symptoms
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon which is the last portion of the large intestines. There are several causes of colitis and it is important to determine the root cause before starting a course of treatment of colitis. Colitis is generally divided into 2 categories – acute colitis which is a temporary condition and chronic colitis which is long lasting in nature. It is necessary to follow the physician’s advice when it comes to treating colitis as neglecting this condition can have serious repercussions.
Symptoms of colitis generally include a loss of appetite, bloating accompanied by diarrhea, fatigue and lethargy, and abdominal pain or cramping. People with severe cases, may also suffer from bloody stools and fever. The doctor will generally request a number of tests to confirm this diagnosis. The most common tests for colitis are stool cultures, abdominal x-rays, and a colonoscopy. Infectious colitis is one of the most common forms of colitis. This type of colitis results from infections such as E.coli or parasitic infections.
There are several ways to treat colitis with home remedies. Home remedies for colitis generally rely on eliminating pathogens within the body and thus eliminating the infection. A healthy balanced diet is a must for people with infectious colitis and it is recommended that the individual include various high fiber fruits and vegetables in his/her diet. In addition to this, it is imperative that the person refrain from spicy and pungent foods as these foods will only serve to aggravate the condition. Garlic contains several antimicrobial compounds and so it is considered to be among the best natural remedies for colitis. Garlic also contains allacin which is known to have antibiotic effects. Two fresh pods of garlic should be cleaned and then chopped fine. This should then be added to a glass of hot milk and kept aside to cool. The milk can then be strained and consumed in the morning and night for quick relief from colitis. Some people may not be able to consume garlic due to its strong and pungent aroma and flavor. In such cases, a single capsule of garlic oil can be used as a substitute. Some of the other natural cure for colitis include raw onion juice and ginger. Raw onion juice is rather strong and so a few teaspoons of honey can be added to a bowl of chopped onions and kept aside. Honey is a humectant and draws out the fluids in the chopped onion. This tonic is considered by many to be an excellent natural treatment for colitis. A tonic with ginger can be made in a similar manner or the individual can simply chew on a small piece of garlic after his/her meals to get rid of colitis.
