Coconut Oil Treatment for Colitus

Colitis is a painful disorder wherein the tissue surrounding the large and small intestine becomes irritated and inflamed. Although the condition can be treated using antibiotics and medicine, a recent study determined that coconut oil assists in decreasing pain and increasing recovery times for patients suffering from colitis. This is because coconut oil is a good source of essential omega and fatty oils, which contain natural healing characteristics.

What is Colitis?

• Colitis is a series of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tissue, including the tissue around the large and small intestine. The disorder is classified by doctors as an IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms of Colitis

• Patients who suffer from colitis generally experience a gradual onset of diarrhea which often contains traces of blood. Patients may also experience pain, abdominal tenderness, depression, rapid weight loss and fatigue. There may also be an increase in joint pain, increased frequency of bowel movements and fever. Mucus or blood in the stool or rectal bleeding are also indications that a patient may be suffering from colitis. Although some forms of colitis result in constipation or diarrhea, many patients may also experience bowel movements that appear normal, so this is not always an indicative symptom.

Diagnosis of Colitis

• Physicians are able to diagnosis colitis by testing a patient's stool for blood, or by taking an X-ray of the colon. Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are also procedures which may indicate colitis. Additionally, a physician may order a stool culture or blood test, depending on the severity of the condition. A high-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, is also used to indicate acute irritation caused by colitis.

The Role of Coconut Oil in Treating Colitis

• A recent study determined that coconut oil may assist in relieving patients of many of the symptoms of colitis, including poor digestion and sudden bowel movements. The oil also seems to reduce inflammation, reduce pain and minimize irritation. Scientists also found that the oil promotes a faster healing and repair time of gastrointestinal tissue. Many homeopathic physicians believe fish oil, probiotics and herbal medicines can treat colitis, as these contain medium-chain triglycerides, an essential energy source for the body.

Additional Benefits

• Coconut oil has also been used to effectively treat Crohn's Disease. Researchers have been studying the effects of coconut oil on patients who suffer from digestive conditions since the early 1980s. Scientists believe the oil contains anti-inflammatory characteristics that soothe and regulate the digestive tract. In addition, the oil is proven to have antimicrobial properties which kill harmful microorganisms that may otherwise cause chronic intestinal inflammation.