While complementary therapies won’t treat the underlying cause of ulcerative colitis (UC), they can help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the other being Crohn’s disease. UC causes inflammation and open sores on the colon’s inner linings.
Symptoms include:
- diarrhea
- rectal pain and bleeding
- frequent urges to have a bowel movement
- bloody stool, abdominal pain and cramping
- nausea
- vomiting
- fatigue
- unintended weight loss
No medical treatments or therapies can cure the condition, but there are many ways to reduce inflammation and symptoms, and prevent flare-ups. Traditional treatment options include immunosuppressants, biologics, and JAK inhibitors.
Complementary therapies are also available to support your overall health and strengthen your immune system. They include nutritional, psychological, and physical therapies. Like their traditional counterparts, these therapies cannot cure UC. But they can help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
It’s worth considering incorporating some or all of them into your treatment routine.
By Erin Coakley