The more John thought about it, the more he realized it was time to see a doctor. It was a good choice, because while the initial symptoms of colitis can mimic minor issues that are easy to dismiss, they can develop into major problems if left untreated over time. He arrived at the doctor’s office, described his symptoms, underwent some tests and came back with a verdict: He had colitis.
WHAT IS COLITIS?
Colitis is an autoimmune disease that typically affects the large intestine, known as the colon. It is focused on the lower section of the colon (the so-called sigmoid colon) and the rectum but can affect the entire colon.
Because it’s a subtle disease, you can have colitis for a while before its symptoms grow so bad that you seek medical attention. In that time, the disease can advance to the point at which serious treatment options, including surgical intervention, may be necessary. While most people don’t want to bother the doctor every time an ache or pain manifests itself, it’s a good idea at least to consider that you may have something wrong with you if the same problems keep coming back, particularly if they occur under the same circumstances, as with John’s mealtimes.
Part of the problem in diagnosing colitis (beyond not seeking medical attention) is that no one yet knows how it is triggered. While children can get colitis, it’s more common to hit men and women in their 30s. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, a non-profit that seeks to find a cure for the diseases, estimates that about 700,000 Americans have some form of colitis.
Those who are most likely to get the disease include those with a close family member (father, mother, sibling) who has the disease, someone of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, anyone who has a largely high-fat, high-sugar diet, and those who may already exhibit some minor autoimmune symptoms, including psoriasis, a rash-like skin reddening and flaking.
Yes, everyone experiences indigestion from time to time, and other diseases can cause fevers, vomiting, aches and pains, and other potential indicators of colitis. That’s why it’s important not to dismiss recurring problems outright. As with history, those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. The problem is that colitis can progress from something mild to something major over time.
SYMPTOMS OF COLITIS
One of the problems of missing your colitis condition is that it’s easy to confuse it with indigestion. Most colitis attacks come after a meal, beginning as a dull ache and progressing from there. The abdominal pain from indigestion usually goes away quickly, but colitis can linger for hours. Seeking treatment is crucial, particularly if abdominal pains after eating seem to be getting worse.
You also may experience bloody diarrhea, bloody stool or rectal bleeding as part of the initial stages of colitis. Naturally, any bleeding isn’t good, as it can affect your general state and drains you of vitamins and minerals. If you notice something suspicious going on in the bathroom, it’s time to get a professional opinion.
Losing weight without a change in diet or exercise is also a sign that something may be going on. While many choose to attribute weight loss to the positive side of the ledger, believing that the one time they took the stairs at work has really paid off, it’s not something to be ignored if diet and exercise has not been the focus lately. In severe cases of colitis, such weight loss can lead to malnutrition and a host of more serious complications, including problems with the eyes and liver.
YOU CAN MANAGE THE CONDITION
The good news is that while there is no definitive cure for colitis, it can be managed with some lifestyle and diet changes. These involve changes in habits, a different attitude toward life and better care of the vessel that transports you around town – your body.
The biggest change should occur in your diet. It’s time to cut back on the foods that can stimulate and irritate the bowels, which can include just about anything in excess. Alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks should be moderated or eschewed in favor of water, which helps to flush impurities in a way that other drinks may not.
De-stressing with biofeedback, meditation or just simply relaxing after a long day are good ways to calm the body. Inflammation is a disease that can be exacerbated by stress. If you can let the body know that you care enough about it to relax, good endorphins can flood the zone and go a long way toward making things better.
Colitis is very similar to Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), all of which are autoimmune problems that occur in relatively the same area of the body. Your doctor can determine through a series of tests which region is the most stressed. But it all starts with the doctor visit. If you have the symptoms, it’s time to let a professional tell you what may or may not be going on inside your body.