Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition causing irritation, swelling and ulceration on the inner lining of the colon (large intestine) and rectum (last part of the bowel). The ulcers can lead to bleeding and pus formation. The most frequently encountered symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Severe tiredness
- Nausea
- Fever
- Reduced red blood cell count (anaemia)
- Urgent need to defecate
The uncommon symptoms of ulcerative colitis include eye irritation, rashes and joint pain or soreness. A majority of individuals with this condition experience mild to moderate symptoms, but about 10% experience severe symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal cramps and recurring diarrhoea containing blood, pus or mucus.
Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when body’s immune system misfires and attacks healthy cells of the intestinal lining. The exact cause of this immune reaction is still unknown. However, researchers believe that it may be due to genetic and environmental factors.
Conventionally, ulcerative colitis is treated with medicines for symptomatic management and lifestyle modifications. Surgery is needed in some cases.
Several homeopathic remedies are available to manage the symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis and treat the condition. Some of these remedies include veratrum album, podophyllum, aloe socotrina, antimonium crudum, pulsatilla pratensis, baptisia tinctoria, bryonia alba, belladonna, ipecacuanha, aconitum napellus, carbo vegetabilis, arsenicum album, mercurius corrosivus, antimonium tartaricum, hydrastis canadensis and kalium bichromicum. Homeopathic doctors consider both the physical and mental aspects of a patient's personality before prescribing a medicine. So, not every medicine works equally well for everyone.