Are you “in the know” when it comes to colitis? Did you know that there are multiple kinds? Do you know what they are called and how they affect the body? Do you know what their symptoms are? Are the symptoms unique to each form of colitis, or do the different kinds share some symptoms in common? Have you experienced the painful symptoms of colitis? Are you seeking a diagnosis, or have you already been told that you have one of the forms of colitis? If so, then now is the time to learn more about your health condition. It is always good to know about how the human body functions, and what we can do to make our bodies thrive despite any health conditions we may have.
First, what is colitis? It has a basic definition of “inflammation of the lining of the colon.” It sounds simple but there is much more beyond the definition. There are three main types of colitis, which commonly affect most people. Ulcerative colitis is a disease of the bowel which can last for a lifetime, and affects the entire length of the colon, though only the innermost lining. It differs slightly from Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic condition like UC, but it can affect some areas of the colon, while leaving other sections healthy. Crohn’s disease also causes inflammation through all layers of the bowel, and not just the lining. The third most common type of colitis is called pseudomembranous colitis, which is inflammation of the bowel that lasts only for a short while and has a specific cause: it occurs in some people after they take antibiotics.
The symptoms of colitis can be unique to each type, which helps assist doctors when they are trying to narrow down a diagnosis. But there are some symptoms, which can affect a person no matter which type of colitis they have. The most common symptoms of colitis are abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea, which may or may not have blood in it. It can be alarming to use the bathroom and see blood. It is very important that if this occurs, you make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor immediately. It may be something minor or easy to remedy, but when it comes to your health, you should not just assume that everything will be okay. It is important to get it checked out in case you have a more serious, underlying health condition.
If you have more questions to ask your naturopathic doctor, take the time to write them down. It doesn’t matter if you think the question is silly; ask it. You have the right to know about how your body works, and your naturopathic doctor is a partner with you. They are a source of general information as well as specific answers to what exactly is going on inside you. If you suspect that you have colitis, or if you want to learn more about your specific type of colitis, call and schedule an appointment so you can get the answers that you seek.