What Are the Treatments for Colitis in Humans?

Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease caused by the inflammation of the colon. Symptoms of the disease vary in intensity and include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, joint pain, ulcers and rectal bleeding. Tests, such as a colonoscopy, X-ray or blood test, can be performed to determine the state of the colitis. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the disease, but options include change of diet, antibiotics and surgery.

Change of diet

• Simply changing your diet and living a healthier lifestyle may be the keys to curing colitis and lessening the symptoms. Keeping a watchful eye on colitis symptoms is important. Patients who suffer from colitis often are plagued with other concerns because of symptoms and faulty treatment: The diarrhea they experience causes severe dehydration while rectal bleeding leads to fatigue, weakness and other problems.

  Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated and to prevent constipation and regulate bowel movements. Your daily diet should include plenty of high-fiber foods such as whole grains, nuts, berries and green, leafy vegetables. A high-fiber diet should be alternated with a low-fiber diet to allow the digestive system to rest.

  Avoid foods containing lactose since these products tend to increase constipation. Caffeine and alcohol often upset the digestive system so be sure to limit your intake. Choose foods low in fat to decrease the occurrence of diarrhea.

Medications

• Mild colitis can be easily treated with over-the-counter medications. To treat diarrhea, take an antidiarrheal medication. Many can be purchased without a prescription from your doctor, while stronger dosages can be recommended by your doctor by written prescription.

  Those with moderate to severe colitis are encouraged to seek treatment through use of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, generally found in prednisone and cortisone, are anti-inflammatory agents that can be taken orally to decrease inflammation of the large intestines.

Surgery

• When self-managing your colitis does not decrease symptoms, surgery is an option for patients who suffer from severe colitis. Some surgical procedures remove the inflamed large intestines, while other surgeries remove the entire colon.

  Advancements made in the medicine allow some patients the option to not wear an ostomy bag outside of the abdomen as is custom for surgeries of this nature. Some surgeries are done in stages for both patient convenience and to decrease the possibility of complications due to surgery.