Colitis medications include home remedies

Inflammation of the intestine is characterized by a sore or infection of the lining of the large intestine. Without medication, intestinal inflammation can lead to serious complications such as abscesses (pus-filled lumps) and bleeding. So, how do you treat colitis?

How to treat colitis at home

The large intestine is part of the digestive system that is responsible for absorbing water and forming feces. If the large intestine is inflamed, digestive problems will certainly arise such as severe stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, and even dehydration.

In order not to get worse, you need to treat it. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation so that the symptoms of colitis do not recur. If the inflammation is mild enough, you can treat colitis with lifestyle changes at home.

Below are ways to cure inflammatory bowel symptoms that you can apply at home, either with or without medication.

1. Eat foods that are good for the intestines

There is no special diet that a person with colitis must follow. However, getting used to eating healthy is the right way to prevent and relieve the symptoms of colitis that you feel.

Some types of food that are suitable for people with inflammation in the intestines, include:

fresh fruit such as bananas, melons, oranges, or apples that are finely ground (apple sauce),
oatmeal (oatmeal),
lean chicken or poultry,
tofu and eggs,
fish with a high omega 3 fat content such as salmon,
simple carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, and gluten-free cereals, as well
fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, spinach, carrots.

People with colitis are also advised to eat smaller portions but more frequently to reduce the severity of the symptoms.

The reason is, smaller food intake can be digested more easily and quickly even by an inflamed intestine.

Some people with colitis may have certain conditions, so they have to adjust their drug consumption and diet.

Talk to your doctor or nutritionist further about the nutritional needs of certain foods if you have this condition.

2. Avoid fatty foods and high in fiber

The next way to treat colitis is to avoid foods that make the intestines work hard. Examples of this group are fatty or oily foods and foods that are sources of complex fiber that are difficult to digest.

Fatty and oily foods are one of the main taboos for people with colitis because they are difficult to digest. Therefore, avoid butter, margarine, cream sauces, and all fried foods.

In addition, also avoid spicy foods. These foods can make your stomach feel heartburn, which makes your diarrhea disease worse. Spicy food also risks exacerbating existing complaints in the digestive tract.

People who are taking colitis medications also need to limit their fiber intake. Fiber is indeed important for intestinal health and smooth digestion. However, foods high in fiber can actually worsen intestinal symptoms and inflammation.

This is because complex fibers are basically more difficult for the body to digest, especially when the intestines are weak due to inflammation. It's best to avoid eating vegetables from the cabbage family such as broccoli and cauliflower, raw nuts and seeds, and corn.

If you want to eat fruits and vegetables, choose fruits and vegetables that are low in fiber, and don't eat them raw. Try it by steaming, roasting, or boiling it first so it's easier to digest.

3. Stop consuming certain drinks for a while

While undergoing treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, avoid food and drink products made from milk. Inflammation prevents the intestine from producing the enzyme lactase. In fact, the enzyme lactase is needed to digest the lactose sugar in milk.

If your body doesn't have enough of the enzyme lactase, you will be more susceptible to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation after consuming milk. This series of symptoms can make your intestines worse.

Apart from milk, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can also make colitis symptoms worse. Alcohol and caffeine can stimulate the digestive system. This can negatively affect the inflamed intestine.

4. Manage stress the right way

Stress and inflammatory bowel disease go hand in hand. Some people report that their colitis can recur when they are under severe stress. On the other hand, the symptoms of colitis that are being experienced can also be stressful, even though it was fine.

This is why you need to learn to manage stress well. For example, with relaxation exercises such as meditation and yoga, or practicing deep breathing techniques. Both can help calm yourself and your mind as well as support the function of medications for colitis.

You can practice meditation or do yoga at the gym or independently. Start with easy techniques and movements first. After that, continue with any other technique that you want to try.

5. Exercise

Exercise is another way you can get rid of stress, as well as treat relapsing colitis due to stress. The good news is, you don't even need to go to the gym or do strenuous exercise to relieve stress.

Even light exercise like jogging or walking around the complex of the house can still help reduce stress and maintain bowel function. However, you should first consult a doctor to determine the right and safe choice of exercise.

6. Therapy biofeedback

Biofeedback is a therapeutic technique performed to reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate with the help of a machine. Destination biofeedback that is, it relaxes your body so that it is easier for you to cope with stress.

There are a number of techniques biofeedback that can be done. Your doctor will choose the right technique according to your body's response, your health condition, and the goals you want to achieve. The techniques available may include the use of the following machines.

Electroencephalogram (EEG). The EEG monitors brain activity related to relaxation, calm, and deep sleep abilities.
Electromyogram (EMG). EMG uses electrodes to measure and detect muscle tension.
Galvanic skin response training. The sensor on the device measures the activity of the sweat glands and the amount of sweat produced as a marker of anxiety.
Biofeedback temperature. Sensors attached to the fingers or toes measure the temperature of the skin, which tends to increase when stressed. This therapy can help overcome health problems related to blood circulation.

7. Stop smoking

Smoking is one of the triggers for a recurrence of colitis. In addition, smoking can increase the risk of recurring symptoms of more severe Crohn's disease as well as possible postoperative side effects for the treatment of colitis.

By quitting smoking completely, you can also maintain the health of your digestive tract. This is because the blood flow to the digestive system becomes smoother and the intestines can get the oxygen supply it needs.

The various home methods above can help the doctor's medication work to more effectively treat colitis. However, if the symptoms are severe enough, the doctor can follow up the treatment with surgery or surgery.

How to treat colitis by taking medicine

In addition to home care and lifestyle changes, you can also rely on medication to cure colitis. Here are some medications that doctors often prescribe to relieve symptoms of inflammation in the intestines.

Medicines to relieve complaints of severe diarrhea such as loperamide, and ORS to prevent dehydration.
Corticosteroid drugs to reduce inflammation of the colon, eg prednisone and budesonide.
5-aminosalicylic drug to treat inflammation due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as sulfasalazine, mesalamine, balsalazide, and olsalazine.
Medicines that reduce the function of the immune system so as not to trigger inflammation (immunomodulators), such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, and tofacitinib.

Most medications for colitis require a doctor's prescription. Therefore, make sure you consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

How to treat colitis with surgery

If both home remedies and medication are not effective enough, your doctor may recommend surgery. Usually, this procedure is done if the inflammation is very severe and life-threatening.

According to the Central of Colorectal Surgery, surgical procedures aim to remove the problematic part of the intestine. This surgery often involves ileal pouch anal anastomosis, namely surgery that does not require removal of the anus.

Only the part of the intestine and anus that is injured or inflamed will be removed. The surgical procedure without anus removal allows the patient to continue defecating normally.

Colitis or colitis can appear in varying degrees of severity. Mild inflammation may be treated with home remedies. However, more severe colitis needs to be treated with medication.

If drug consumption does not work, the doctor usually recommends surgery to remove the problematic part of the intestine.