Colitis refers to swelling, or inflammation of the large intestine, also known as the colon.  Depending on its cause, treatment varies. Colitis can have many different causes including:

·         Infections caused by virus, parasites and or food poisoning due to bacteria

·         Inflammatory disorders, like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

·         Lack of blood flow

·         Secondary to radiation

Symptoms of colitis include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and blood in the stool.  Ulcerative colitis is one of the most common types of colitis. It is characterized by recurring episodes of inflammation to the colon.  Symptoms usually appear gradually, over weeks or months. Treatment of colitis, and ulcerative colitis is usually medical therapy to reduce the frequency and duration of flares.  Systemic steroids, or immunosuppressants are common treatment options.  

A major concern in the evolution of ulcerative colitis is the potential for the development of colon cancer. The risk of acquiring colon cancer is related to both the duration and extent of the disease, that is, inflammatory bowel disease increases your risk of colon cancer.

Another major cause is Clostridium Difficile, a bacteria that cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.  C. Diff is a bacteria that is present normally in some people’s bowels, however it is normally kept in balance by the other bacteria present.  The bacteria is passed in feces and spread to food by people not washing their hands. Once established, C. difficile can produce toxins that attack the lining of the intestine.  The toxins destroy cells and produce patches (plaques) of inflammatory cells and decaying cellular debris inside the colon.

Treatment includes antibiotics like flagyl or vancocin by mouth.  These antibiotics keep C.dif from growing, allowing normal bacteria to flourish again.  Probiotics can be very helpful during this course of treatment.  Probiotics are organisms, such as bacteria and yeast, which help restore a healthy balance to the intestinal tract.

Food and colitis:

Diet is important in the healing process. Some of the best foods to eat are starchy foods like potatoes, noodles, and rice.   Saltines, bananas, soups and boiled vegetables are also good foods to counterbalance symptoms of colitis.  If you have decreased appetite make sure you are at least hydrating.  The worst foods for colitis, or those you should probably avoid are:

o   alcohol

o   caffeine

o   carbonated drinks

o   dairy products, if you’re lactose intolerant

o   dried beans, peas, and legumes

o   dried fruits

o   foods that have sulfur or sulfate

o   foods high in fiber

o   meat

o   nuts, crunchy nut butters

o   popcorn

o   products that have sorbitol (sugar-free gum and candies)

o   raw fruits and vegetables

o   refined sugar

o   seeds

o   spicy food