by Kitty Murphy

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Living with colitis can be challenging but it is possible if you educate yourself, have an excellent doctor, some basic information and a willingness to make the lifestyle choices that will help you improve your outlook.

Colitis is defined as chronic inflammation of the colon or large intestine. The large intestine is approximately five to six feet long and occupies the lower abdomen, beginning at the ileum (the end of the small intestine) and ending at the anus. Colitis will usually give you abdominal pain, bowel frequency and urgency, and occasionally blood in your stool. Even with all the discomfort of this disease there are medications to help and in addition certain lifestyle changes you can make to help lessen the symptoms.

A visit to the gastroenterologist will likely include a sigmoid colonoscopy to determine the extent and severity of the disease. Your doctor will likely prescribe one or more medications based on your symptoms. These may include anti-diarrheals, 5-ASA compounds such as sulfasalazine, steroids to reduce inflammation, or drugs that suppress the immune system such as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP, sold under the trade name Purinethol).

Eating small meals can help put as little strain on the digestive system as possible. Some people find it helpful to avoid typically irritating foods such as tomatoes, fried or spicy foods. Easily digested, well cooked food can make the patient more comfortable. Foods such as rice, potatoes, bananas, tea, or applesauce can help to bulk up the stool and ease the digestive tract. Patients should be encouraged to drink plenty of water as frequent bowel movements can cause dehydration.

Alternative treatments for colitis have gained some popularity in recent years and should always be used in conjunction with the more traditional remedies prescribed by your physician. Many people find that biofeedback, hypnosis, or sound/music therapies that make mind and body connections can enhance a patients ability to deal with the emotional and physical stress of chronic disease. It also can be beneficial to talk with a therapist.

Some people find various types of exercise can help relax the muscle groups to stop the cycle of pain that can be disrupting to daily life. Gentle stretches and Eastern-type exercise such as Tai-chi can help to strengthen the abdominal core with low-intensity and also can train the mind to focus on breathing through pain and processing it in a productive healthy way. In other physical therapy systems such as the Alexander, Feldenkrais, and Trager methods, patients are instructed in new ways to move, thereby retraining their bodies to come into alignment. In this way, some people are able to actually change their physical postures to improve coordination and balance, and to relieve structural and functional stress caused by the damage of colitis.

In severe cases that do not respond to these therapies, there are surgical treatments for colitis, but many people find that with lifestyle changes and proper medications, living with colitis can be managed.

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