Colitis, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is inflammation of the colon. It is marked by
offensive watery stools with mucus and pus, intermittent fever, and abdominal pain, tenderness
or colic. Ulcerative colitis is ulceration of the colon's mucosa, while pseudomenbranous
colitis is associated with antibiotic therapy. Clostridium difficile is a toxin in antibiotic
that diminishes the normal colon flora and may permit difficile to overgrow and cause necrosis
of the intestinal mucosa. Symptoms include diarrhea with gross blood and mucus, abdominal
cramps, fever, and leukocytosis. About 4-10 days after beginning the antibiotic therapy,
symptoms begin. Part of the treatment is discontinuation of the antibiotic. Radiation
colitis is caused by damage to the bowel from radiation therapy. Symptoms are similar to
inflamed bowel and include pain, cramps, rectal bleeding and diarrhea.
Helpful Links:
Colitis
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
olitis, or Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, affects some 35 million Americans. More than half of these are women between the
ages of 20 and 40. Because the symptoms can be caused by many other conditions, and include
diarrhea or constipation, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain, it is important to be diagnosed
before beginning any treatment. Several herbs have a history of traditional use
for digestive comfort. Chamomile
is a traditional digestive herb, as is
Cramp Bark.
Fennel Seed has traditionally been used
for gas and bloating, and
Hops Strobiles are
traditionally regarded as relaxing and astringent. Cascara Sagrada is a traditional herbal laxative.
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only
and is not intended to replace the use of a qualified
health care professional. We strongly recommend the use
of a physician for the diagnostic phase of any treatment.
With an accurate diagnosis in hand, we believe the consumer,
at that point, has a basic, unalienable right to seek out
factual information on all therapeutic approaches, both
orthodox and alternative, and choose those approach(es)
that are right for them. Nonetheless, a "good doctor"
should be considered a requisite starting point.To U.S. Users:
None of the products mentioned on this page have been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration;
therefore, they are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.