Archive for February, 2010

Here is something that sounds tasty and could have the effect of reducing the effects of colitis symptoms for some sufferers…

“Eating yogurt with blueberries may help protect against intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer, according to the findings of a new study.

The researchers tested various types of diets of blueberry husks, rye bran and oat bran with or without a mixture of probiotic bacteria. The results showed that the protective effect of blueberries was reinforced if they were eaten together with probiotics.

“The probiotics proved to have a protective effect on the liver, an organ that is often negatively impacted by intestinal inflammations said researcher Asa Hakansson.

They also found that when the berries were eaten together with probiotics, the content of butyric acid and propionic acid increased in the blood. These substances have previously been shown to be important energy sources for intestinal cells and to have a favorable impact on immune defense.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and polyphenols, which have an antimicrobial and antioxidative effect. The combination of blueberries and probiotics reduced inflammation-inducing bacteria in the intestine at the same time as the number of health-promoting lactobacilla increased.”

Why don’t you pop along to your supermarket and pick up some fresh blueberries and youghurt and try it?

Now, I hope that you are getting a comfortable and full nights sleep. If not then read on…

We all know that colitis has a few choice symptoms that it creates in varying degrees of severity.

But what is the most difficult to deal with and how do you reduce its impact?

Mine was the knowledge of knowing that any major movement (and this could be only standing up) would require a visit to the toilet. In order to counteract this, I planned how I could reduce movement to a bear minimum, I planned what would be eaten and when, I planned how I would even sit or what position I would lay down.

One thing I did achieve was the abililty to still sleep most of the night even during the peak of a relapse. I would only need to go to the toilet once during the night. I managed this because I ensured that I slept on my back and did not move from this position. I proved that if I did move onto my side, this would antagonise the bowel and I would be sitting on the toilet within a few minutes.

It did take some training on how to remain on my back all night. But it helped so much in attaining as much sleep as posssible which is so welcome when you have a relapse.

Discover more how to reduce the impact of colitis symptoms on your daily life. For more info click on The Colitis Experience.com

There are people who suffer from poor health and diseases and rather than seek medical help continue to be at the mercy of symptoms and suffer in silence. If colitis is the problem, then it can actually be dangerous to health not to seek medical intervention. For the vast majority of sufferers, whilst they do receive help, it is important to ensure that they are taking advantage of all the colitis treatment available.

It is only natural that the sufferer in the early course of a colitis diagnosis will have concerns and questions that require to be answered relating to the impact the symptoms will have on their life, what exactly all the colitis symptoms are and how to cope through daily life, both during periods of a flare up and remission. It is therefore important that the patient knows, understands and utilises the treatments for colitis that will assist in coping with the disease.

When I was growing up, I remember my parents used to occassionally “fast”. I had no clue as to what all this was about and I when learned exactly what it entailed, it did not sound like much fun to a young boy.

Yet, after a long weekend of fasting, I remember that they would be singing the praises of not eating. It seemed like a renewal, a boost to their whole self, the process of cleansing the body to toxins. During the fasts, they drank a lot of water and a mix of honey, lemon and hot water.

I was reminded of this when I came across an article about how fasting can have very beneficial effects for those sufering from a variety of illnesses and diseases. Now, we know that when a colitis relapse happens, the intake of food can be drastically reduced, even eliminated for a period, but what about when a period of remission is being enjoyed. Ever considered that a period of fasting, just for a few days, could give the body respite from the demands placed upon it? It could give respite from your colitis symptoms?