Nonspecific ulcerative colitis (ULC) is a disease in which inflammation and ulceration are observed on the mucous membrane of the large intestine. This pathological process has a chronic nature, in which exacerbations occur periodically. The treatment of this disease is a very complex complex process that requires joint efforts both from the attending physician and from the patient himself. In more severe cases, the patient cannot avoid visiting a medical institution, as well as possible hospitalization.
But if the manifestations of the disease are moderate, then it is possible to carry out treatment of UC with folk remedies. In addition, alternative medicine is a good help in the treatment of more severe forms and varieties of intestinal colitis. This is especially effective in cases where the treatment of UC with folk remedies will be combined with drug therapy.
Causes of the disease
It is immediately worth noting that at present, the main causes of this disease have not yet been identified. However, on the basis of the assumptions of recent studies, it can be concluded that such factors as:
- the spread of various infections in the large intestine;
- the predominance in the diet of fatty, high-calorie foods, which contain a small amount of fiber;
- malnutrition;
- gene mutation and hereditary predisposition;
- prolonged use of certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- strong feelings and frequent stressful situations;
- violation of the intestinal microflora.
As a result of the influence of these factors, agents of the immune system begin to actively act not on pathogenic bacteria and viruses, but on the mucous membrane in the large intestine. As a result of this, it begins to become inflamed, and ulcers form on it.
It should be noted that UC and Crohn's disease have certain similar mechanisms of their development. The differences lie only in the breadth and depth of the lesion. In the first case, the disease affects only the large intestine, inflammation and ulcers spread in the submucosal layer and mucous membrane.
As for Crohn's disease, absolutely the entire digestive tract begins to be involved in this pathological process, starting from the anus and ending with the oral cavity. In this case, the disease affects all layers of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis
Treatment with folk remedies will depend on how the symptoms and signs of ulcerative colitis manifest themselves. Some patients who suffer from this disease feel very well for several years. They only rarely have blood in their stools. With such minor symptoms of ulcerative colitis, treatment with folk remedies can be carried out independently at home, but you should first visit a doctor.
If the disease proceeds in an acute form, accompanied by severe diarrhea, an increase in body temperature, severe soreness and general weakness, then in such situations the patient must be hospitalized.
As a rule, UC occurs with the following symptoms:
- feces with blood, the amount of which can be from subtle drops to heavy bleeding;
- feces with pus and mucus;
- diarrhea;
- constipation, which indicates damage to the sigmoid and rectum;
- false urge to defecate, during which not feces, but blood, mucus and pus come out;
- urge to defecate at night;
- fecal incontinence;
- flatulence and increased flatulence;
- pain in the abdomen, which is mainly manifested in its left region;
- signs of intoxication, which include fever, fever, vomiting, weight loss, tachycardia, loss of appetite, dehydration and general weakness;
- extraintestinal manifestations of UC, which are damage to the joints, the formation of a rash on the skin and mucous membranes, visual disturbances, increased thrombosis, impaired liver function and much more.
It should be noted that the last symptoms are observed only in 10% of patients. In some cases, they appear before the main intestinal symptoms. Treatment of UC with folk remedies and medicines in this case will depend on the severity of the signs of the disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
Diagnostic methods, as a rule, include instrumental and laboratory studies. Before proceeding with the treatment of UC with folk remedies or medicines, the specialist must conduct an oral survey of the patient, do a finger examination, after which a list of necessary procedures for treatment, as well as medications and folk remedies is compiled. Diagnostics includes the following procedures:
- A biochemical and general blood test, due to which it is possible to identify the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells, an increase in the level of c-reactive proteins, as well as ESR.
- A coprogram, which is a laboratory study of feces, due to which the content of mucus, blood, parasites, pus and so on is determined in them. Thanks to this procedure, you can find out the degree of the inflammatory process and damage to the mucous membranes in the intestine.
- Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, which are instrumental invasive diagnostic methods, thanks to which a specialist can discern the state of the intestinal mucosa, and if necessary, take small particles of damaged tissue for laboratory examination, that is, conduct a biopsy.
- Irrigoscopy, which is an X-ray examination of the colon with the introduction of a special device into it. Thanks to the picture, you can find out about the presence of pathological changes in the large intestine.
- Computed tomography, which is an X-ray examination, which displays the images taken at different angles on a special monitor. Basically, such a diagnosis is prescribed if there is suspicion of Crohn's disease.
Only after a full diagnosis is completed, the doctor can prescribe treatment for UC with folk remedies and medicines.
Disease treatment
With an exacerbation of UC, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. In this case, drugs are injected with the help of injections and droppers, sometimes meals are organized through a probe. In the chronic form of ulcerative colitis of the intestine, treatment with folk remedies can be carried out in combination with medicines at home.
Traditional methods
Drug treatment involves the use of the following drugs to treat ulcerative colitis:
- Means containing acetylsalicylic acid, for example, Mesacol, Sulfasalazine, Tidokol, Salofalk, Pentasa and others. Such drugs can be taken in the form of capsules, tablets, as well as rectal suppositories, enemas and foams.
- Corticosteroid preparations presented in the form of tablets, as well as intravenous and rectal infusions. These drugs include Hydrocortisone and Prednisolone.
- Immunosuppressants, for example, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Infliximab.
In addition, you can also apply the treatment of ulcerative colitis with folk remedies.
Alternative medicine
As mentioned earlier, at the first stage of the development of the disease, as well as in the chronic form of ulcerative colitis, non-traditional methods of treatment can be used. However, before treating ulcerative colitis with folk remedies, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as the patient may have an individual intolerance to one or another ingredient that is part of the prescription.
The application of the mummy
Quite often, a mummy is used to treat this disease. This is one of those methods of treatment with folk remedies for ulcerative colitis, which shows a real and effective result.
To prepare a therapeutic agent, it is necessary to mix the mummy with water in an amount of 0.1 g per one tablespoon of liquid. The finished solution is taken per day for 0.2 g. Each oral administration should be 10 ml of the prepared solution, the concentration of which is 1%. The remaining daily dose of approximately 0.1 g should be used as rectal suppositories. You can achieve a pronounced anti-inflammatory, regenerative and analgesic effect if you use this treatment with UC folk remedies. Reviews show that patients also eliminate specific manifestations of a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, that is, belching, heartburn, diarrhea.
Use of propolis
Another most effective alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis is propolis. This product has a high antibacterial ability, contributing to the rapid regeneration of mucous tissues, due to which ulcerative lesions begin to be effectively eliminated. The main dosage form for the use of propolis in this disease is alcohol tincture.
To prepare this product, it is necessary to add 1 liter of alcohol in a dark container, the strength of which should be from 70 to 96%. Ready tincture is used with a strength of 10, 20 or 30%. However, treatment is best started with 10%. In order to prepare a tincture of such a strength, it is necessary to observe a proportion of 1:10, that is, 10 g of propolis per 100 ml of alcohol. The solution should be infused for 2 to 5 days in a dark room. Every day, the product must be shaken.
Enema treatment
Enema with sea buckthorn and rosehip oil are very effective non-traditional remedies for UC. They can be bought ready-made at any pharmacy. It is necessary to introduce oil at 50 g for adults, as well as 25 g for children whose age is less than twelve years. The adult catheter should be between 25 and 30 cm long. For children, the catheter should be between 10 and 15 cm long.
To make such an enema, you need to purchase a 100-gram syringe with a special catheter. 50 g of rosehip oil or sea buckthorn are collected in a syringe, after which the agent is injected into the rectum. It should be ensured that the medicine inside the intestine is as long as possible. When carrying out this procedure, the patient should be in a supine position on the left side.
Nutrition tips
In parallel with the use of traditional medicine and methods of treatment with folk remedies for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, you still have to adhere to a certain diet. It will be necessary to abandon pork, salted, sour, smoked and fried foods. A large amount of cooked, mashed food should be present in the diet. As for dairy products, it is recommended to eat cottage cheese, kefir or yogurt. Of meat dishes, preference should be given to chicken and beef. Also in the diet should be present fish and stale white bread. Oatmeal is also indispensable in the menu of people who suffer from ulcerative colitis.
Reviews and recommendations
Reviews about the treatment of ulcerative colitis with folk remedies indicate that the most effective are those that are made on the basis of the mummy. Patients notice that after a month of treatment of the disease with the method of alternative medicine, improvements are observed.
To reduce the frequency of exacerbations of the disease, as well as to contribute to prolonged remission, experts recommend taking some measures. Such measures include the following:
- Regular use of medications prescribed by a doctor.
- Compliance with the therapeutic diet.
- Regular preventive examinations that should be scheduled by a specialist.
- If the patient has pain during the course of the disease, then doctors recommend taking drugs such as Efferalgan, Acetaminophen, Paracetamol, and in this case you will have to abandon non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Naproxen or Ibuprofen .
However, do not forget that antibiotics can cause an exacerbation of UC. These drugs are used only in extreme cases and only as directed by a specialist.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that NUC is a disease in which mucous membranes on the large intestine begin to become inflamed and ulcerated. Sometimes this pathology affects the submucosal layer. As a rule, ulcerative colitis occurs in a chronic form, during which attacks of exacerbations occur. The treatment of the disease is long and conservative. If treatment failure is observed, then surgical intervention is required.