5 Common Theories About What Causes Colitis

Dr. Albert Snow Holistic Gastroenterologist

What causes colitis is still a matter of much debate within the traditional medical community.

Colitis is basically an inflammatory swelling of

the large intestine -- the colon.

The basic function of the colon is to produce

stools by absorbing fluids and food residues.

Colitis belongs to a group called Inflammatory Bowel

Disease (IBD) and most forms of colitis are mild to

moderate, although an extreme condition known as

ulcerative colitis can become debilitating over time, caused

by the development of ulcers inside the colon or rectum.

This chronic condition seems to afflict mostly

people of all ages and can affect both sexes.

Crohn's Disease is perhaps somewhat a better-known IBD.

Most members of the traditional medical

community will tell you that there is no cure

for IBDs, and many people suffer for many years with the symptoms.

The most common symptoms of colitis include abdominal pain, cramping, bloody stools,

diarrhea, fever, chills or dehydration.

Here are 5 common theories about what

causes colitis:

1. Antibiotics:

The introduction of antibiotics in the 1950s and its subsequent widespread use saw a

marked increase in the incidence of colitis.

It is well-known that antibiotics can adversely

interact with naturally occurring bacteria

within the digestive system, eventually eroding the inner lining of the colon.

While suppressing normal bacteria, antibiotics can furthermore aid abnormal growth of other bacterium, the most widely known being Clostridium difficile, an acknowledged producer of toxins that can lead to colitis.

This use of antibiotics destroys the mucosal

lining of the intestines, and I believe this to be

the primary cause of colitis, and that is the focus of my treatment protocol.

This lining is imperative for the health of your

colon, as it protects the tissue in GI tract.

Once the lining has been damaged, your body's digestive enzymes then work on

destroying this lining.

As the tissue is eaten away, it causes symptoms like bleeding, bowel urgency, and

diarrhea.

In fact, there has been a marked increase in

gastrointestinal disorders since the 1950s due

to the fact that antibiotics were introduced and popularized during that time.

As people began increasing their use of

antibiotics, more and more gastrointestinal

problems began surfacing in the general population.

2. Immune system:

Scientists at the Mayo Clinic have suggested

that a weakened immune system caused by

illness can lead to the digestive system becoming inflamed, thus colitis.

Other scientists have offered that the

introduction of a virus or pathogens, such as

E. Coli, Listeria, Botulism, Salmonella, or Shigella, can also be a leading cause.

3. Blood supply:

Restricted or insufficient blood flow to the

colon can cause blood vessel inflammation.

The causes can range from common ailments such as diabetes, hernias, infections, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and sometimes just from arteries narrowing due to the progress of age.

4. Heredity:

In another finding, the Mayo Clinic also suggested that heredity is a predominant

culprit leading to what causes colitis.

Their research points to the fact that possible gene

mutations can be inherited that can predispose

patients to developing colitis themselves, although the genes in question have not been pinpointed.

However, statistics show that only 15% of colitis sufferers have family members who

also have a form of IBD.

5. Stress:

Although stress has not been singled out as a

direct factor in what causes colitis, it has been

emphasized that stress can be the root cause of colitis flare ups.

Stress is commonly referred to as a trigger for

colitis.

Despite the disagreement between natural medicine and

traditional (Western) medicine about what causes colitis, I

know that colitis can be permanently cured with a

treatment protocol involving use of probiotics to rebuild

the GI tract.

Discover the Truth About Irritable Bowel Disease!

How colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns Disease, and Leaky Gut Syndrome are all symptoms of the same condition Exactly what these conditions are How you got these conditions How your medical doctor contributed to your condition The one primary source of all conditions How these conditions are man-made How to get rid of these conditions permanently

If youre frustrated, confused, and looking for help in how to end your Irritable Bowel Disease, visit this site to get your free audio.