If you suffer from colitis and the symptoms do not stop, it is recommended that you modify your diet and avoid the consumption of certain foods that may be greasy, such as fried foods, dairy products, eggs among others, to prevent colitis from worsening and the intestine from suffering disorders irreversible or difficult to recover.
Colitis is a condition in the intestine. It can appear as a swelling of the large intestine or also of the rectum. This specific area of the body, that is, the lowest part of the intestine, is also known as the colon and that is where the name of this ailment comes from. Currently it is known in other ways, such as bowel syndrome, in addition to irritable bowel, people who suffer from this condition cannot lead a totally normal life, especially with meals, there are 6 foods that should be avoided if you have colitis.
It is quite common to be confused with diarrhea, since it can present itself as a symptom, but they differ since colitis is a disease, while on the contrary diarrhea is only a symptom. It can be more serious depending on the cause of the colitis, as well as its intensity and duration.
Types of colitis
Depending on its origin, colitis occurs in various types such as those mentioned below:
Ulcerative colitis
This is a disease that is considered chronic, it is characterized by inflammation inside the colon, in addition to the presence of various wounds or ulcers that appear on the inner wall of the large intestine, giving it its name: ulcerative colitis . This inflammation usually begins in the rectum and spreads to the colon.
Toxic colitis
It is a complication that occurs to those who suffer from ulcerative colitis , uncontrolled Crohn’s disease or some infection in the colon, it affects and also damages the walls of the intestine as a whole. Known as toxic megacolon , it causes inflammation of the colon walls, even causing it to rupture. In this case there are symptoms such as inflammation of the abdomen and the presence of many gases.
Colitis from drug use
Consuming certain antibiotics can damage the walls of the interior of the colon, this causes the so-called psudomembranous colitis. This occurs because antibiotics often alter the balance of the bacteria found in the intestine, this has as a consequence the appearance of various diseases.
Hemorrhagic colitis
This is caused by a bacterium called Escherichia Coli, which infects the large intestine and produces certain toxins that cause bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.
Nervous colitis
This type of colitis can appear when you are experiencing situations that cause a lot of stress, anxiety or nervousness very frequently. Most of these situations cause contractions in the muscles that surround the large intestine, which increases its sensitivity to the presence of gases and movements of the digestive system. In general, nervous colitis usually accompanies inflammation or abdominal distention , causing severe pain in the belly area.
Symptoms of colitis
These symptoms can vary greatly, especially in terms of severity, or they can appear gradually or suddenly.
- Abdominal pain
- Strong colic
- Constant diarrhea
- Stools with diarrhea or pus
- Very high fevers
- Rectal pain
- Weightloss
- Abundant intestinal gas
- Loss of appetite
- Anemic disorders
- Dehydration
6 foods to avoid if you have colitis
People who have this disease should avoid many foods that are considered inappropriate in themselves, especially those that feel very bad before they had this horrible condition. The main foods to avoid are:
Fatty foods
Those foods that have a high fat content can generally speed up intestinal contractions a bit, this causes a very negative reaction to the body, which, in itself, is quite susceptible. This means that you should stay away from fried foods, greasy foods, fatty meats, fast foods and any preparation that is not steamed or boiled and vegetable, at least until the condition of colitis is improved, be it chronic colitis or nervous colitis.
Dairy products
Even if you have never had lactose intolerance , it is best to avoid most dairy products , at least for a time, after having colitis. Care should also be taken with dairy products, especially those that are presented as an ingredient in fried foods and fatty foods.
Sugar-free foods
Some of the artificial sweeteners that exist can produce a laxative effect, which contributes greatly to the inflammations that occur within the large intestine of people who have suffered from colitis.
If you suffer from colitis, quit alcohol
Alcoholic beverages affect in different ways, but generally they stimulate the intestine and in a person who has a history or is in full attack of colitis, they can even promote diarrhea.
Whole grains and seeds
Legumes and other grains, as well as whole seeds that are high in fiber, generally cause gas, so they should be avoided at all costs if you have irritable bowel movements .
Coffee and tea
Caffeine affects the supply of fuel for bowel movements, it can even affect people who do not have inflammatory diseases. So if you are suffering from intestinal problems, discard coffee and opt for drinks like lemon water or parsley water that will help your body detoxify faster.
It is also advisable to stop consuming if you suffer from colitis:
- Beans – high in fiber and can cause gas.
- Broccoli – high in fiber. Choose to cook them to soften them.
- Whole seeds – they are difficult to digest. Opt to grind them finely.
- Corn – difficult to digest.
- Mushrooms – difficult to digest.
- Chocolate – it is very irritating because it contains sugar and caffeine in its commercial presentations.
- Walnuts – can cause discomfort during digestion and bowel movement.
- Sodas – contain sugar, caffeine, gas which can contribute to inflammation.
- Onions – make digestion difficult.