Ulcerative Colitis: Foods to eat and avoid with ulcerative colitis

What is ulcerative colitis?

If there is any wound or ulcer inside our colon, it is called colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a painful inflammation of the stomach that causes significant inflammation in the colon. 

Small ulcers or sores can damage the entire colon as they adhere to each other. The disease can be genetic or environmental.

This disease is more common in people aged between 20 and 40 years. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is anonymous. However, the disease can occur in the children of maternal, paternal, or both maternal and paternal siblings. Some believe that this disease can occur if the intestinal lining of the colon is weakened.

Symptoms:

• Frequent loose stools
• Blood in the stool
• Passing mucus or jelly-like substances often through the rectum
• Feeling cramps in the lower abdomen and experiencing intense diarrhea
• Stool may cause clothes to get soiled if unable to go to the bathroom in time
• Due to frequent loose stools and blood in the stool, patients may show signs of dehydration, salt imbalance, and anemia.

Untreated Consequences:

1. Colon cancer can occur.
2. Pain in various joints of the body, such as the waist, spine, knees, ankles, and wrists.
3. Different types of red spots or ulcers can occur on the skin.
4. Various types of eye diseases can lead to blindness.
5. Water retention in the mouth, hands, and feet causes swelling in the body.
6. Jaundice and various liver problems can occur, and the liver can be damaged.

Prevention Methods:

It is possible to prevent this disease by following some measures. Turmeric is very effective for these patients, mainly due to the therapeutic effects of curcumin found in turmeric. 

Eating fiber-rich foods also benefits patients. Studies have shown that stress worsens the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in many cases, so it should be reduced.

This study found that high perceived stress is associated with a raised risk of clinical flares in patients with UC.

CGH Journal

Foods to eat and avoid with ulcerative colitis

Controlling ulcerative colitis (UC) involves carefully choosing foods that help reduce inflammation and avoid those that might cause symptoms. 

Here’s a guide on foods to eat and avoid with ulcerative colitis:

1. What to avoid:

Avoid sugary food: You should avoid sugary foods like chocolate, cake, and sweet juice drinks. High-refined, sugary food is not good for your colon.

Coffee: Avoid drinking too much coffee. Daily, one coffee is okay, but don’t drink too much.

Limit ultra-processed food: Limit ultra-processed food to avoid colon infection.

2. What to eat:

1. Papaya: Add papaya to your daily diet. Papaya is very helpful for problems like constipation, gastritis, and many other stomach problems.
2. Beans: Beans contain vitamins E, B, and protein, which are very beneficial for our colon.
3. Low-fiber fruit: Eating low-fiber fruit can be suitable for people with ulcerative colitis.
4. Cinnamon tea: it also works for your colon diseases.
5. Probiotic: Eat probiotic food and drinks like kanji rice, beet kvass, and fermented tea.

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Frequently asked questions:

1. Is ulcerative colitis a cause of polyps?

People who have ulcerative colitis are at high risk for inflammatory colon polyps. Inflammatory polyps are often called pseudopolyps and do not become cancerous.

2. When should you do a colonoscopy?

 At the age of 40, you should have a colonoscopy for your colon.

3. What is the first step of ulcerative colitis? 

The first step of ulcerative colitis is passing blood in stool, diarrhea, and stomach pain.