Patients are typically diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in their 30s. There is believed to be a genetic component to ulcerative colitis, as 25% of patients have a family member with the condition. Viral and bacterial infections have been linked to the immune response in ulcerative colitis, and environmental factors may also be associated. Diet and stress can exacerbate symptoms but are not causative.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms include diarrhea, bowel urgency, bloody stool, and lower abdominal pain. Most patients experience periods of flare-ups of symptoms along with symptom-free periods of remission.
Naturopathic treatment for ulcerative colitis focuses on decreasing inflammation in the large intestine, as well as providing complementary support to any conventional treatments, like anti-inflammatory and biological medications. Anti-inflammatory supplements can help to manage the frequency and severity of flare-ups. Though ulcerative colitis not caused by specific foods, focusing on an anti-inflammatory diet with high nutrient, easily digestible foods is the best way to support a healthy digestive system. Compounded medications can also be used to modulate autoimmune activity.
Your Spark Health doctors are here to support you through the diagnosis of a chronic condition and to provide you with support to manage conventional care along with supportive, naturopathic treatments. Our team of integrative providers works together with our patients and focuses on a long term, lasting solution to health and wellness challenges.
Our goal is to understand your health goals, formulate a unique, individualized treatment plan, and form a partnership based in prevention and wellness. Our holistic naturopathic clinic in Solana Beach offers naturopathic medicine, IV hydration, acupuncture therapy, and aesthetics to patients in San Diego and Southern California.
While many patients with ulcerative colitis can manage their condition with supplements, diet and medications, there can be serious complications that arise. These include severe colon swelling, colon perforation, blood loss and increased risk of blood clots.
Typical pain can be sharp and cramping, especially with bowel movements.
While ulcerative colitis is not caused by diet, symptoms can be managed by avoiding inflammatory foods. This supports a healthy digestive tract lining.
Ulcerative colitis cannot be cured, but it is possible to have a long period of symptom-free remission. Medications, supplements, and lifestyle modification are all important factors of living a healthy life with this condition.
A small percentage of patients with ulcerative colitis need surgery to manage this condition when other treatments are not successful. The goal of naturopathic treatment of ulcerative colitis is to avoid surgery.