Ischemic Colitis - Can I Treat It Naturally?

What Is Ischemic Colitis?

This is just a fancy medical term that means quite simply a condition in which the colon, or large intestine, is injured or becomes inflamed and is not receiving enough blood.

Many patients who develop this illness suffer from other bowel diseases and conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Ischemic colitis can span a wide spectrum of severity; most patients are treated and recover fully, while a minority with very severe cases may develop sepsis and become critically ill.

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of intestinal ischemia. The damage produces ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. This illness affects primarily people who are 50 or older. There are, however, several natural health remedies you can implement now to lower your risk factors.

Risk Factors And Causes

You are more likely than the average person to get ischemic colitis if you fall into one or more of the following catagories:

• Have a heart condition
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol level
• Smoker
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Suffered from low blood pressure and/or shock due to another illness or surgery
• Suffered from heart failure
• Diabetic

Common Symptoms of Ischemic Colitis

Even though ischemic colitis can be easily treated, the symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed as something else or dismissed by the patient altogether. This is especially true of people with inflammatory bowel disease. Unfortunately, they are already used to dealing with the symptoms of ischemic colitis and may not recognize them as something new. This is why patients who experience these symptoms should seek medical help immediately to avoid further complications.

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal tenderness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• A feeling of urgency to move your bowels
• Vomiting
• Bright red blood via the rectum (blood in the stool)**
• Low-grade fever
• Lower back pain

** In most cases, the blood found in the stool will be dark and thick, rather than thin and bright like arterial blood. It may pass in waves, or it may come every time the patient has a bowel movement.

Natural Health Remedies For Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic colitis is generally treated with prescription medications that increase the blood flow to the colon. In some cases, antibiotics are also used to treat and prevent any further infection. Although conventional medicine is often suggested as the first route of treatment, many patients find it much more beneficial to use these natural health remedies we discuss.

When trying to increase blood flow, supplements, dietary modifications and lifestyle changes are all important factors that play a role in natural colon health.

We recommend highly two products that work very well in conjunction with one another. Circu-Live, and Gastronic Dr. produced by Native Remedies. Combining the two pre-made remedies ensures that you are supporting the colon and the entire digestive system, as well supporting healthy circulation and blood flow. Addressing either of those issues would be of benefit, while addressing both would be ideal, which is what these two together do.

We have listed other various natural health alternatives for your consideration:

Probiotics

Probiotics are "friendly bacteria" that are usually missing or insufficient in patients who suffer from disorders of the colon. The objective in using probiotics is to help the body reestablish its natural flora in the digestive tract. The two main strains of bacteria used in probiotics are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. We recommend using Probiotic Acidophilus with Pectin from Puritan's Pride. It's a great product at a good price.

You can also eat foods that are rich in "friendly bacteria" as another method of keeping your colon healthy and balanced. Many patients are encouraged to eat plenty of plain yogurt, which contains bacteria that helps restore balance. Additionally, make sure that you clear probiotics use with your primary care physician.

Citrulline

There are different substances found in food that naturally help to increase blood flow in the body. One of these substances is an amino acid called citrulline. It has been found to be very effective in increasing blood flow, not only in the digestive tract, but also throughout the entire body.

Citrulline occurs naturally in watermelons. In fact, that is the latin translation of citrulline.

Once citrulline enters the body it promotes the formation of another substance called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is essential in supporting an improved blood flow in the body.

As well as eating your share of watermelon, you can purchase one of a great many all natural health supplements available to you called citrulline malate.

Colon Cleanse

Colon cleansing is the practice of using natural products to remove harmful toxins from the body through the colon. This in itself is an all natural treatment that can help guard against a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders, but it shouldn't be used without careful research and perhaps a physician's instruction.

If you suffer from ischemic colitis, a colon cleanse program can help remove harmful toxins in conjunction with other treatment options.

There are hundreds of colon cleanse products on the market, and not all of them are all natural or even safe. Used too often, you can deprive your body of necessary bacteria and microorganisms that help maintain your bodily functions, so always use this treatment option with care.

Acupuncture

Many patients who suffer from ischemic colitis seek acupuncture pain relief as an all natural method because it is said to help align the body's functions to promote regularity.

In essence, bowel problems are a result of inhibited flow (and sometimes over-flow), and may even be symptomatic of other problems in other areas of the body.

If you're going to use acupuncture as an all natural treatment option for ischemic colitis, make sure that you inform your acupuncturist of your condition.

Reduce Stress

Although it has not been proven that emotional stress causes digestive disorders, patients have complained that this type of stress exacerbates their symptoms, pain in particular. Emotional stress can trigger the release of certain chemicals in your brain that can negatively affect your body's functions.

Although implementing healthy living ideas is easier said then done (or maybe it’s just me), there are several ways to decrease emotional stress in your life. The most traditional methods are meditation and yoga.

In learning to relax your mind you also allow your body to function as it is meant to function.

Eliminate Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol have been shown to increase the chances of developing a digestive disorder and aggravating a disorder that already exists. Smoking also slows the healing process.

I guess we wouldn't really consider quitting drinking and smoking home health remedies, although, eliminating these factors from your lifestyle will greatly improve your chances of healing more efficiently and preventing any further damage.

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