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Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease involving the rectum and large intestine only, it involves mucosal inflammation and extensive superficial ulceration.

Early symptoms include

  • Diarrhea (with or without blood)
  • Increased bowel Movement (less than 4 a day)
  • Urency
  • Tenesmus (feeling of having to empty your bowel but unable to do so)
  • Mild abdominal pain

Moderate to severe UC symptoms include

  • Frequent bowel movement/Diarrhea (more than 4/day)
  • Presence of blood, mucous, pus in the stool
  • Severe abdominal cramps
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Fever

Causes

  • Immune system dysregulation
  • Diet high in fat, processed food, low fiber diet, low veggies/fruits, low omega 3, and antibiotic and NSAIDs overuse
  • Life style risk factors such as smoking

Treatments

  • Elimination diet
  • Increase fiber intake from fruits and veggies
  • Low inflammatory, low FODMAP, Mediterranean diet
  • Probiotic use
  • Reduce local intestinal inflammation by regulating gut microbiota composition
  • Regulate immune system
  • Botanicals to heal the ulcerated intestinal mucosal layer

Chinese Herbal Medicine for UC

A randomized double-blind study assessed the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal Formula Fufangkushen colon-coated capsule for treatment of UC and 72.5% of patient showed a clinical improvement. Another Herbal Formula Qingchang Huashi showed positive results for patients with UC.

Acupuncture and UC

Acupuncture alone or with moxa and/or electrical stimulation is a commonly used in China for treatment of UC and many studies have shown the benefit of Acupuncture in reliving UC symptoms and reducing the inflammation. Acupuncture works by stimulating the vagal nerve to reduce and treat chronic inflammation associated with UC.