Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the mucus linings in the large intestine (colon), the part of the digestive system that stores waste material. This inflammation is usually characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Ulcerative colitis is closely related to Crohn's disease, which is another condition that involves inflammation of the intestines. Both are commonly termed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and are chronic conditions that can last years to decades. An estimated 500,000 to 2 million people in the United States are affected by these conditions. While these conditions can appear at anytime in a person’s life, most people are affected in adolescence and early adulthood.

The causes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease remain unknown and no convincing evidence indicating that these two diseases are caused by infection exists. Neither is contagious.

Abnormal activation of the immune system in the intestines is what causes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The immune system is composed of immune cells and the proteins, which defend the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign invaders. Whenever the immune system is activated, inflammation occurs within the tissues. This is a normal process that usually takes place when the body is endangered by harmful invaders. In patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, however, the immune system is abnormally and chronically activated for no reason. This results in chronic inflammation and ulceration.

Rectal bleeding and diarrhea are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis but there is a wide range of symptoms among patients with this disease. The symptoms and their severity depend on the amount of the colon and rectum that are inflamed and the severity of inflammation.

The different classifications of ulcerative colitis include:

Ulcerative proctitis - In this case, inflammation is limited to the rectum and in many cases, mild intermittent rectal bleeding may be the only symptom. Symptoms of more severe cases include rectal pain, urgency (sudden feeling of having to defecate and a need to rush to the bathroom for fear of soiling), and tenesmus (ineffective, painful urge to move one's bowels).

Proctosigmoiditis - This type is characterized by inflammation of the rectum and the sigmoid colon (a short segment of the colon contiguous to the rectum) and symptoms include rectal bleeding, urgency, tenesmus and in some cases, bloody diarrhea and cramps.

Left-sided colitis - This type involves inflammation that starts at the rectum and extends up the left colon and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and left-sided abdominal pain.

Pancolitis or universal colitis - In this case, inflammation affects the entire colon (right colon, left colon, transverse colon and the rectum) and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and night sweats.

Fulminant colitis - This form is rare but severe and people affected are extremely ill with dehydration, severe abdominal pain, protracted diarrhea with bleeding, and even shock. The risks of developing toxic megacolon (marked dilatation of the colon due to severe inflammation) and colon rupture (perforation) are also very high for people with fulminant colitis.

There is no sure-fire way to prevent colitis because the exact cause has yet to be discovered. There are however, some alternative treatments to practice if you are already afflicted with this condition.

First, clothing that is tight around the waist should be avoided.

Drink plenty of pure water.

The diet should consist of low-carbohydrate, high-vegetable, high-fiber foods.

Avoid carbonated soft drinks, spicy foods and caffeine.

Fruit should not be eaten on an empty stomach.

Supplementing with the following can also help greatly:

Iron (take as directed by a professional health care practitioner) - To provide for deficiencies common in people with colitis and other IBDs.

Proteolytic Enzymes (take as directed on label) - Aid in digestion and helps control inflammation.

Vitamin B Complex (take as directed on label) - Essential for the breakdown of fats, proteins and helps control inflammation.

Acidophilus (take as directed on label) - Normalizes the intestinal bacteria.

Free-form Amino Acid Complex (take as directed on label) - Supplies needed protein for tissue healing.

L-Glutamine (500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach with water or juice & never with milk) - Major metabolic fuel for the intestinal cells. Also maintains the villi.

Colloidal Silver (take as directed on label) - Natural antiseptic that fights infection, promotes healing and subdues inflammation.

Vitamin A (25,000 IU daily) - Shields the mucus membranes and aids healing.

Aloe Vera Juice (½ cup in the morning and at bedtime) - Heals the colon when taken internally.

Boswellia, Bromelain and Turmeric - Reduce inflammation.