Colitis Treatment Information

When looking for cures for yeast infections you should definitely know as much as possible about the beneficial aspects of probiotics.

Another probiotic that has recently generated a great deal of interest is the friendly yeast known as saccharonryces boulardii, an organism that belongs to the brewer's yeast family, not the Candida albicans group. S. boulardii is not a permanent resident of the intestine but, taken orally, it produces lactic acid and some B vitamins, and has an overall immune-enhancing effect.

Cures For Yeast Infections: Benefits Of Probiotics:

o Weaken antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, attack new types of pathogens (supergerms) and infections in immuno-compromised people requiring treatment (i.e., resist opportunistic infections);
o Manufacture B vitamins (biotin, B3, B5, B6, folic acid, B12) and vitamin K;
o Secrete lactase, an enzyme required to break down lactose in milk;
o Act as anticancer factors (especially for bladder and bowel) by inhibiting bacteria that convert nitrates into nitrites and secrete carcinogens;
o Function as natural antibiotics against unfriendly bacteria, viruses, and yeast such as Candida albicans;
o Enhance bowel function and elimination;
o Reverse diarrhea conditions (Crohn's disease, AIDS, traveler's);
o Prevent skin problems, especially acne and other skin infections;
o Protect against the adverse effects of radiation and pollutants;
o Reduce the blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides;
o Fight stress and food cravings;
o Help eliminate bad breath;
o Optimize sex hormone levels, enhance fertility, and prevent osteoporosis;
o Produce lactic acid, improve the digestibility of foods;
o Oppose putrefactive bacteria such as bacteroides, associated with a
meat-rich diet; and
o Treat allergies, eczema, psoriasis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, duodenitis, diverticulitis, urinary tract infections, vaginitis, other chronic infections, and autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, alopecia areata, scleroderma, etc.)

When looking for cures for yeast infections you need an overall plan that will help you eliminate the infection for good. Probiotics are a beneficial part of that plan.

Probiotics are known as "good" bacteria. These healthy forms of bacteria are present naturally within the digestive system. Factors such as the common use of antibiotics can reduce the number of good bacteria as well as the harmful bacteria for which the antibiotics are taken. For this reason a probiotic supplement should be considered. Especially for those suffering from diseases of the digestive system, such as Ulcerative Colitis.

As a remedy for Ulcerative Colitis probiotics can be beneficial. There are also additional benefits of probiotics in your diet.

• Remedy for diarrhea, especially helps after treatment with antibiotics


• Helps in treating vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections


• Aids in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome


• May help in reducing bladder cancer recurrence


• Aids in treatment of many intestinal infections


• Useful in treating eczema in children


• Can help in Preventing or reducing the severity of colds and flu

One thing we know for sure is that there needs to be a balance of good bacteria in our system. Some people have come to believe that this may be one of the leading factors in occurrence of Ulcerative Colitis. With the very common uses of antibiotics nowadays, there is probably some truth to that.

Here's what can happen. Lets say your feeling down with a sinus infection (happens to me at least once a year). You stop in at the Dr. and of course a round of antibiotics is prescribed. During the course of your prescription the antibiotics are killing off the "bad" bacteria that are present in your infection and in turn you feel better. Antibiotics aren't selective killers though and they kill off the "good" bacteria in your system just as well.

Herein lies the problem of yeast. We all have yeast in our system. It is kept in check by, you guessed it, good bacteria. When we kill off good bacteria we allow yeast to take hold in our system and many believe that the over-use of antibiotics and the presence of yeast has at least part to do with all these problems we are seeing with our immune systems attacking us (auto immune disorder).

Regular ingestion of probiotics, I believe, can have positive benefits for those suffering from Ulcerative Colitis and can act to a degree as a remedy. I don't believe probiotics will cure you of Ulcerative Colitis, but I do think as part of an overall plan of attack against Ulcerative Colitis it can be effective as a remedy against those things that are at the root of our problem.

Public awareness is growing about the dangers of certain acne drugs and their link to bowel diseases. Studies have shown that isotretinoin, the primary active ingredient in various acne medications, can cause serious gastrointestinal problems.

A study at the University of North Carolina set out to find whether there is a cause and effect relationship between isotretinoin and bowel conditions. Based on their analysis, the research team concluded that patients who used isotretinoin to treat their acne had a four times greater chance of having ulcerative colitis than people who did not use the drug.

Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Isotretinoin has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD. IBD is a condition that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. There are several types of inflammatory bowel diseases, including:

-Crohn's disease

-Ulcerative colitis

-Ulcerative proctitis

-Indeterminate colitis

Although the different types of IBD are related, they have their differences. For example, ulcerative colitis normally affects only the colon. On the other hand, Crohn's disease can affect any portion of the intestinal tract.

Side Effects and Treatment

The symptoms of IBD are very similar regardless of the specific type of IBD. Common side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, vomiting, loss of appetite and other problems. The type, progression and severity of the side effects vary from patient to patient.

Unfortunately, inflammatory bowel disease can have serious complications. The disease results in ulcers in the intestines. Over time, these ulcers can cause obstructions, infections (abscesses), narrowing (strictures), bleeding (hemorrhage) and an increased risk of cancer.

The treatment for IBD varies depending on the patient. Some patients are rarely bothered by the disease while others have regular flare-ups that can be painful and inconvenient. Strong medications may be used to manage the disease. In some cases, invasive surgery is required.

How Can Isotretinoin Cause IBD?

Isotretinoin is a form of vitamin A, so how can it be so dangerous? The drug was originally developed as a chemotherapy medication to treat serious cancers. It is effective at killing cells that are rapidly dividing. Inflammatory bowel disease occurs a result of improper immune system activity, and cancer drugs are known to damage a person's immune system. If a cancer medication can damage the immune system, then it makes sense that it can cause IBD.

What Should You Do if You Took Isotretinoin and Have Bowel Problems?

Many people who took isotretinoin and developed Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or another form of IBD do not know the two are linked. As a result of growing media exposure, more people are finally learning about the connection. Knowing the cause of a problem can help answer the question of where the disease came from, and it may also help in treating the condition. If you took isotretinoin and have bowel problems but have not been tested for inflammatory bowel disease, you may want to ask your doctor about getting tested.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that is characterized by the formation of ulcers in the inner wall of the colon and rectum of the large intestines. Crohn's disease is also a similar condition except that it affects not only the large intestines but also other parts of the digestive tract and extends through the thickness of the bowel rather than just affecting the inner lining. However, both are quite different from the irritable bowel syndrome, which is not an inflammatory disease and does not cause any injury to the intestines.

Ulcerative colitis can affect people at any age; however, it generally commences at the age of 15 to 20 years and rarely starts at above 50 years. It affects both the genders equally and White's appear to be more susceptible to the disease than other races. Family history also increases the risk for contracting the disease. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease include fatigue, anemia, loss of appetite and weight, rectal bleeding, joint pains, fever and nausea. When compared with irritable bowel syndrome that elicits symptoms that are restricted to bowel movements such as abdominal distress, constipation or diarrhea and bloating, the symptoms of the former are more severe and systemic.

Although the exact cause of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease is not known, it is postulated that abnormal functioning of the immune system with respect to colonic and rectal bacteria might be the main causative factor. Sensitivity to foods and stress are said to be the other causes for this condition.

Diagnosis is done through blood and stool tests and colonoscopy that helps to locate the site of inflammations and ulcers. Treatment predominantly consists of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and immunomodulators although in severe cases with massive bleeding, surgical removal of the colon might be required. A major concern with ulcerative colitis is that around 5% of those suffering from this condition generally develop colon cancer. To avoid such a serious condition, it is better to follow correct dietary practices that include consumption of fresh foods, small and frequent meals and balanced diets in addition to taking regular medications. After all, a stitch in time saves nine.

Thus, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are types of inflammatory bowel diseases that are etiologically similar, although symptomatically quite different, from irritable bowel syndrome. Correct dietary practices along with medications are the key to managing all the three conditions.

The Crohn's bowel disease is a continual inflammatory ailment that can have an effect on any part of the gastrointestinal tract in the digestive system of a person, from mouth to the anus, as well as affecting other organs of the body. Crohn's disease is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease. The Ulcerative colitis also belongs to this group and shares some similarities with the symptoms and effects of the Crohn's disease. Nevertheless, ulcerative colitis only causes problems to the large intestine while Crohn's disease affects the small intestine. Crohn's disease affects the three layers of the bowel wall that are the inner lining, muscular layer and outer lining. The difference between these two diseases further is that the ulcerative colitis only affects the mucosa (inner lining). The prototypes of intestinal connection in Crohn's ailment are separated into large bowel (colonic) (around 25%), small and large bowel (ileocolic about 40%), and small bowel (30%). The duodenum is infrequently involved (at only 2%). The main pathological facets of the Crohn's disease are ulcers (which can be shallow and deep), correlation of the bowel lumen with adjacent structures (fistulae) and scar tissue, which may lead to contraction of the bowel lumen (strictures which can cause lumen stumbling block). The extra-intestinal structures engaged in Crohn's illness could either be local or systemic. Local can take place when fistulae are at hand, such as between the excrement and the vagina or the bladder. Systemic extra-intestinal manifestations can be pronounced in the skin, mucous membranes (shallow ulcers of the mouth and vagina), eyes (iritis, swelling of the iris), liver and gallbladder (arthralgia and arthritis, hepatitis and cirrhosis)

Crohn's disease fatality is an important cause of morbidity in the Australia continent as it affects about 50 people per 100 000 of the inhabitants. The rate is set to pile up in the coming years. The disease is prevalent among the adolescents and young adults with up to 60% of patients being detected of having the ailment 25 years of age or below. Nonetheless, Crohn's bowel disease can take place at any age. Females have a slight edge over their male counterparts as far as involvement with the disease is concern

The reasons of having this disease is not yet known as of this point of time, but a variety of genetic and environmental factors are considered to having a role in acquiring the disease. Moreover, a proof for a genetic component is present as siblings of Crohn's patients are 20-35 times more probable to have a Crohn's disease. Smoking, and higher sugar content in the diet may augment the threat of having the disease. A rudimentary diet or the so-called Crohn's Diet may control the Crohn's Disease symptoms. Crohn's ailment is more widespread in Western nations and more frequent in Caucasians in contrast to black-skinned populace.

Colitis masquerades by many names, and the symptoms of colitis are no fun. They include severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation, to name a few. Colitis is a serious problem that causes the lining of the large intestine to be inflamed and swollen.

The primary cause of colitis is the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy the mucosal lining of the intestines. Without this lining, the health of your colon declines dramatically, since the lining protects the tissue in your gastrointestinal tract. Once damaged, your body's digestive enzymes then work on destroying the lining, which causes the tissue to be eaten away.

These are the five most common symptoms of colitis:

1. Diarrhea: This can range from mild and occasional to frequent with unpredictable urgency. Diarrhea is often triggered by eating and then having to run to the bathroom. Some people have a condition known as IBS-C, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation. This latter condition is found most commonly in someone genetically pre-disposed to constipation. This condition is caused by failing to properly hydrate the stool.

2. Intestinal/stomach pain: While this may indicate a stomach bug (stomach flu) or food poisoning, it is also a symptom of colitis and/or constipation.

3. Bloody stools: Along with fever and dehydration and diarrhea, these symptoms may indicate ulcerative colitis.

4. Mucus in stool: When you add the above symptoms to mucus, it may be Crohn's Disease.

While not a physical symptom, this last symptom may be the most paralyzing side-effect of colitis and IBD:

5. Paranoia: This is seen in someone who is too afraid to leave home to attend social events, go the mall, go out to eat, go to a movie, etc. Paranoia is most commonly found in those suffering from a more severe irritable bowel disease. Many have had "accidents," and even when cured, find it difficult to leave the safety of their home for more than a short period of time.

The progression in the severity of the syndrome from colitis to Crohn's is based on the fact that all of these are the same condition. The primary difference is the amount of damage done to intestinal tissue, which has a strong correlation to how long you have suffered through the symptoms without treatment.

Bottom line -- don't tolerate this pain and these symptoms any longer than you have to. Taking drugs isn't the answer -- there is an alternative that works that involves rebuilding your gut. Do your research, discover the tissues that comprise your colon, and don't ignore these five primary symptoms of colitis.

The South Korean government has recently announced a research program on how to keep their aging population young and active.

In that study, and many others on-going around the world, one natural hormone stands out as giving the greatest promise. That is DHEA.

DHEA - or dehydroepiandrosterone

This is a natural hormone produced in our bodies by the adrenal gland. During our growth period, there are very high levels of it in our blood. The older we get, the more we seem to need, but its production often lags behind our own deterioration state.

DHEA is associated with youthfulness, energy levels, good memory, strong sex drive, good mood, active metabolism, and muscle tone. Yet as early as our 18th year, its levels start to drop, as aging begins.

Aging is often associated with falling libido, muscle wasting, bone loss, reduced strength and stamina...and not just a physical appearance of aging. It appears the DHEA targets just these elements.

DHEA and Scientific Research

The role of DHEA is being researched actively and internationally in the following areas:

Adrenal Insufficiency
Bone Density
Burn Out (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Chrohn's Syndrome (and Ulcerative Colitis)
Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment of HIV
Treatment of Cholesterol
Immune System
Insulin Resistance
Libido Problems
Lupus
Obesity
Aging Problems (especially of the skin)

There are another two special areas where DHEA is having focused interest. These are the areas of DHEA and the brain, and its role with fats.

The Brain and DHEA

While DHEA's exact functions in the brain are (and they are under active study), there are some effects that are known, some of them very important. Firstly DHEA is a proven mood enhancer. This means that DHEA could be treatment for depression, and the symptoms affecting most people after the age of 50. A lot of that depression is associated with decreased libido, energy and motivation depravation, anxiety, and emotional imbalances. DHEA have been shown to positively effect these conditions, so DHEA may help postpone the aging process in general, and specifically, make it a harmonious transition.

In another important study, it was shown that brain stem cells (in the laboratory) grew about 1/3 faster in a medium that contained DHEA, than in mediums with out it. There are ideas now to correlate this phenomenon to possible treatment of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The Heart and DHEA

There is nothing that worries doctors more about heart disease than poor cardiovascular states. That means high cholesterol levels, platelet aggregation, high blood pressure, and high levels of triglycerols. Being overweight, and having too much fat on one's body is a sure way to insure the above conditions.

DHEA has been shown to lower insulin levels. Lower insulin levels have themselves been linked to higher plasma ratios between lipolytic hormones and insulin. Also DHEA has been associated with a high efficiency level of lipolysis (weight loss of fat).

Ask your doctor for the proper doses of DHEA.

There are many people who are suffering needlessly with inflammatory diseases of the bowel. Medical doctors treat the problems of inflammation in the intestines with drugs which only cover symptoms, doing nothing to heal the condition. This information comes from many years of working with herbal remedies and from my own experience with irritable bowel and diverticulitis.

Two of my siblings have been hospitalized with acute inflammatory bowel diseases. Had they known what to do they could have saved themselves thousands of dollars while eliminating the pain within minutes. I know how painful an inflammatory condition of the large intestine can be and have been successful every single time in eliminating the pain within less than a half hour of time. This treatment works well for all inflamed conditions of the bowel; Diverticulitis, Crohn's, IBS, and Colitis.

The herbs of choice are what are known as mucilaginous. They act as a 'mucilage' in that when mixed with water the herb becomes slippery, cooling and healing to the digestive tract. One of the herbs even has the word slippery in it. That would be Slippery Elm. Slippery Elm is the inner bark of the Slippery Elm tree and during the 1st and 2nd World Wars when food and medicines were scarce the bark of the Slippery Elm tree was used as a porridge for babies and children because it is highly nutritious and has a pleasant, sweet taste. Often it was added to oatmeal because it was high in vitamins.

The other mucilage that soothes the intestines is Marshmallow. Marshmallow root is another nutritious herb that is cooling and soothing to inflamed tissues.

Both herbs may be taken singly or in a combination known as Intestinal Soothe and Build which also contains Bugleweed, plantain and rosehips to help tone the tissues. Chamomile is in along with the other herbs in this combination to act as a nervine and an anti-inflammatory.

Infection is suspected if the pain is intense and may be assuaged by taking one or two capsules of Golden Seal powder. Known as "nature's anti-biotic", true Golden Seal is a rich gold color in a clear capsule. Since it is in high demand and there is only moderate supply, the price is usually about $20-$30 for 100 capsules. Don't be fooled by producers who try to sell you a cheap Golden Seal. If it is 'cheap' it is not Golden Seal. Never use Golden Seal if you are hypoglycemic because it will lower your blood sugar even more.

Limiting your intake of sugar, dairy, and peanuts in any form, especially peanut butter which is highly acidic, is another recommendation for a healthy digestive tract. If you want to eat something that is nutritious and more alkaline in nature, then try Almond butter. The almond is the only alkaline nut and much better for the bowel than peanut butter.

If diarrhea is keeping you at home, then make sure you always have plenty of Hydrated Bentonite around. Just one capful in water will stop those rapid trips to the bathroom in minutes.

Taking the herbs suggested in this article may be just the ticket to getting you back to a pain-free, more active life.

References: The Ultimate Healing System by Dr. Donald LePore
Back To Eden by Jethro Kloss

The first thing that needs to be established is that an unhealthy and malfunctioning colon doesn't only affect one's digestive system; it actually takes its toll on the whole body.

The primary function of the colon is to remove excess wastes from the body. This mainly involves the excretion of feces that needs to be eliminated to ensure that the body is able to function effectively, without any unnecessary hindrances. However, an unhealthy colon means that it is likely that the excretion of the feces is hampered, causing a build up of unwanted toxins in the body. These harmful toxins remain in the body and are circulated in the bloodstream which makes the body react. This is the point where people start getting sick.

Although it may begin with a simple allergic reaction or a series of loose bowels, these toxins continue to accumulate over time. Unless they are removed, they can lead to more severe conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease. Even worse, these toxin build ups are also known to have ties with the development of grave illnesses such as colon and bowel cancer.

The Symptoms of Unhealthy Colon

There are a lot of ways to tell if one's colon is unable to get rid of the body's wastes effectively. It is necessary to learn and understand these symptoms in order to realize the need for a colon cleanse as soon as possible. Here are a few tell-tale signs that simply demand a detoxification program.

People that have unhealthy colons usually wake up sluggish and tired despite the fact that they've had more than 7 hours of sleep. The inability to lose weight is also a problem for these individuals even though they stick to healthy, low calorie diets. Skin problems such as pale skin with spots or acne are also common among this type of people. They may also experience irregularity in their bowel movements and have stools that are either liquid or have paste-like consistencies. Unhealthy colons may also cause bad breath and body odor even if best hygienic practices are done.

If two or more of these symptoms are present, then it may be time for a colon cleanse.

The Causes of Unhealthy Colon

Although there are dozens of different reasons why people tend to have unhealthy colons, one of the main reasons is a bad diet. Unhealthy diets are usually constituted by low levels of fiber. The lack of fiber in the system leads to blockages and feces that are moved at an irregularly slow rate. Fiber is needed by the body because it is indigestible and easily goes through the digestive system. It works like a broom that sweeps the bowel and excretes it together with the feces.

Low fiber diets may eventually lead to a build up of internal sludge in the colon. This gluey harmful substance takes up so much space and causes so many blockages that nothing is able to pass through. This then usually results to constipation. A healthy body will have high levels of fiber that act as magnets that take with them any unnecessary wastes out of the entire system.

The question now is how to ensure that the colon is clean. The answer is a combination of a high fiber diet and a simple colon cleanse procedure.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other functional digestive diseases are significant contributors to workplace absenteeism. IBS in particular is a pervasive disease with estimates placing the number of those affected at 25 to 55 million people in the United States alone. Though I do not suffer from a digestive disease myself, I have become familiar with IBS through the experiences of a friend who was facing termination from work due to chronic lateness. He came to me for legal advice on how to handle the situation. This prompted me to look into what legal protections may be available to someone having attendance issues at work due to the symptoms of IBS and other digestive diseases. I previously wrote on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a special focus on digestive diseases.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees with a serious medical condition to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid but JOB PROTECTED leave in a 12 month-period. FMLA has several advantages to someone suffering from IBS, Crohn's Disease or other digestive diseases. First, although the leave is unpaid, the employee's position is protected while on leave. Second, the leave does not have to be taken all at once but may be taken intermittently, and even on an hour by hour basis. For my friend who had particular difficulty with getting to work on time due to the IBS flaring up most frequently in the morning, being able to take a hour here or there to cover lateness would obviously be a helpful protection. Third, all-too-important health insurance benefits are continued during the period of leave.

For an employee suffering with IBS to qualify for leave under the FMLA, there are several fact-specific criteria that must be met. First, the person's employer must be covered by the FMLA. All public entities, including Federal, State, County and Local agencies (including schools) are covered. In regard to private (e.g. non-government) businesses, an employer is covered so long as it employed 50 or more employees in 20 or more work weeks within either of the last 2 calendar years.

For the employee to be covered by the FMLA, he or she must have worked at least 1,250 hours within the last 12 months for his or her employer. The employee must also work at a location where 50 or more employees of that employer work within a 75 mile radius.

Finally, in order to qualify for Family Medical Leave, the employee's IBS or other digestive disease must meet the definition of a "serious medical condition" as defined in the FMLA. This means a condition which prevents the employee from working, and which resulted in an in-patient stay at a hospital or other medical care facility, or is the subject of ongoing treatment by a medical professional. The FMLA regulations also specifically recognize chronic health conditions that can qualify for leave. These conditions occur over a period of time and "may cause episodic rather than continuing periods of incapacity." This would certainly seem to describe the situation faced by most sufferers of IBS.

The reader should understand that the Family Medical Leave Act is a complex statute which is supported by voluminous and complex regulations. There are going to be rules, exceptions to those rules, and then exceptions to the exceptions. The entitlement to leave is a fact specific determination made on a case-by-case basis and there is the potential for confusion and/or conflict. If you feel you are being treated unfairly by your employer, or you have questions or concerns, I recommend speaking with an employment attorney to discuss your specific set of circumstances.