Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes the large intestine to become inflamed and ulcerated, resulting in painful episodes of:

  • Increased bowel movements
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps.

It is also associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. Men and women are equally affected by UC, and its peak incidence is either between adolescents and young adulthood or middle age. Medical treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms. Some examples include: antidiarrheal drugs, aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics and surgery. Alternatively, Naturopathic medicine seeks to identify the underlying trigger(s) that promote immune dysregulation and inflammation. The natural treatments applied include:

  • Acupuncture and Asian medicine
  • Botanical medicine
  • Diet counselling, including the identification and elimination of dietary triggers
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Lifestyle counselling
  • Nutraceuticals, including supplements to heal the digestive system

The duration of treatment will vary based on the complexity of the case, but generally it is advised that patients commit 3 months to healing the digestive system, balancing the immune system and developing tools for prevention. Overall, Naturopathic treatment will help to reduce pain, expedite healing, reduce reliance on medication, and reduce the number and severity of flares.

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