What to eat for colitis, good diet and nutrition

Symptoms of colitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, and in severe cases constipation. Significant weight loss may occur, and the condition may recur. Severe colitis can be life-threatening if not treated in time. Diet is very important for patients with colitis, and nutrition must be supplemented in a timely manner.

1. Diet and nutrition: During the diarrhea period, you should pay attention to supplementing nutrition and appropriately reduce the fiber content in your diet, such as leeks, celery, garlic shoots, etc. You should eat a low-residue diet to reduce the mechanical damage that high fiber components may cause to the colon mucosa. Regarding the issue of colitis patients drinking milk, it depends on whether the diarrhea worsens after drinking milk, because ulcerative colitis patients may be allergic to cow's milk protein. On the other hand, some patients may suffer from diarrhea after drinking milk due to a lack of lactase in the intestines. In my country, there are more people suffering from lactase deficiency than in the West. Therefore, patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the diarrhea stage should be carefully inquired about whether they have a history of allergy to cow's milk and limit the intake of dairy products, which sometimes has an antidiarrheal effect.

Due to factors such as diarrhea, bloody stools, long-term under-eating and malnutrition absorption, patients may have iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency or anemia and should be given appropriate supplements. Generally, it can be supplemented orally or by injection. The use of Chinese medicine that invigorates qi and strengthens the spleen, nourishes blood and tonifies the kidney can also achieve the purpose of increasing physical fitness and supplementing nutrition, but do not abuse the supplement and use the medicine according to the syndrome. People with long-term diarrhea need to supplement calcium and trace elements such as magnesium and zinc.

2. Rest: Rest is very beneficial for the disease, especially for patients in the active stage, it is important to emphasize adequate rest and reduce mental and physical burden. As the condition improves, the amount of activity can be gradually increased, but strenuous activity should generally be avoided.

3. Appropriately replenish fluids and electrolytes, and supplement vitamin B and calcium. Take iron supplements and folic acid to treat anemia. Patients with severe illness, frequent diarrhea, and severe malnutrition can be given a period of gastrointestinal elemental diet or parenteral nutrition.

4. Anti-infective drugs: Salicyloylsulfapyridine is effective in treating various types of colitis and preventing complications. Some cause nausea, vomiting, headache, rash, granulocytopenia, anemia and poor liver function. If it is ineffective or has adverse reactions, metronidazole can be used instead. Neomycin and phthalidazole are also effective.