Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a very unpleasant and debilitating condition. It affects the colon and rectum and typically involves only the innermost lining (mucosa) of the gut wall. It manifests as continuous areas of inflammation and ulceration, with no segments of normal tissue.

There was a significant increase in Ulcerative Colitis during the 20th Century and it currently affects between 1 and 2 million people in the US. The prevalence in the UK has been estimated at 243 per 100,000. There is strong evidence that environmental factors are far more important than genetic factors in UC.

The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Patients also may experience anaemia, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, rectal bleeding, loss of body fluids and nutrients, skin lesions and joint pain. 

About half of the people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Others suffer frequent fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis may also cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis.

In clinical trials, it was noted that natural interventions provided beneficial effects and patients with Ulcerative Colitis, who received herbal medicine, had a remission rate of 70% compared to 40% for pharmaceutical treatment. Herbal Medicine treats the underlying cause and not just the symptoms. Treatment includes addressing the imbalance of the gut flora (gut dybiosis), the immune dysregulation, the inflammation and the diet. Biochemical tests are run in order to tailor the treatment to meet the unique needs of the patient as everyone’s presentation of this condition is different and unique to them. This approach gets the best results.

Patients usually progress well on herbal treatment, providing they are diligent with their diet. It has usually taken many years for this condition to slowly develop and so it is not unusual to take at least two years of treatment to rebalance the body and restore health. However, progress is usually seen early on in the treatment.

If you would like a natural approach to treating your Ulcerative Colitis, call for an appointment.