Alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods can irritate anyone's colon. So the problems can be worse if you have inflammatory bowel disease. Fat, sugar and fiber are all harder to digest. So you may need to stick to foods that are low in these categories or eat sources with higher contents in moderation.
Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.
Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels despite the urge to do so. This is called tenesmus.
It is common to have bloody stool with ulcerative colitis. When chronic inflammation damages the lining of your colon, ulcers can develop. The ulcers may bleed, leading to blood being passed in your stool. This might show up as bright red, pink, maroon, or sometimes even black stools.
This may involve diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, rectal pain and bleeding, fatigue, and urgent bowel movements. Although you may feel helpless against these fluctuations, changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.
Treatments for an inflamed colon depends on the cause. There is no cure for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but life-long treatments and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
The redness and swelling can last for a few weeks or for several months. Ulcerative colitis always involves the last part of the colon (the rectum). It can go higher up in the colon, up to involving the whole colon. Ulcerative colitis never has the “skip” areas typical of Crohn's disease.
An anti-inflammatory diet favors fruits and vegetables, foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, lean protein, healthful fats, and spices. It discourages or limits the consumption of processed foods, red meats, and alcohol. The anti-inflammatory diet is not a specific regimen but rather a style of eating.
Inflammation starts when the body releases cytokines (protein molecules that act as communication signals between immune system cells and different organs and tissues). These act as emergency signals, carry nutrients, hormones and immune system cells to the location of the wound.
This type of stimulation–response activity generates some of the most dramatic aspects of inflammation, with large amounts of cytokine production, the activation of many cell types, and in fact the four cardinal signs of inflammation: heat, pain, redness, and swelling (1).
To reduce inflammation fast, limit your intake of sugar and processed foods. Perhaps, more importantly, though, pursue exercise, stress-reducing behaviors, a good night's sleep, and a diet full of colorful, anti-inflammatory foods.
Magnesium has been shown to help fight inflammation by reducing markers such as CRP and interleukin-6.
Health experts recommend that a diet rich in anti-oxidants as well as staying hydrated with enough water are great ways to reduce inflammation in the body. Water is specifically recommended because it can flush toxins and other irritants out of the body.
Peppermint oil is supposed to have a calming effect on the intestine by relaxing the muscles of the intestine. Several studies have indeed shown that some people benefit from peppermint oil, at least temporarily. In these studies, peppermint oil was taken in capsules that are resistant to stomach acid.
Carrots, beets, corn, squash, spinach, and kale contain extremely effective enzymes that promote a healthy colon. High-fiber food cleanses your colon and help remove harmful toxins. Fiber keeps your stools soft, promoting healthy bowel movements, expelling waste products in a much more efficient manner.
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for digestion as well. Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery.
Lemon Juice
With the high amount of antioxidant properties lemon juice contains, lemon juice is another drink that can be used for colon cleansing. Mix lemon juice with sea salt, honey, and a glass of lukewarm water. For best results, drink this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach.
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. People who support a water flush for colon cleansing recommend drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water per day. Also try eating plenty of foods high in fiber & water content.