Colitis, a chronic digestive disease and is characterised by inflammation of the colon. Colitis is one of a group of conditions, which are inflammatory and autoimmune that affects the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system (the large and small intestine). Colitis is said to be an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and quite different from the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The causes of colitis are also similar to that of Diarrhoea. The continuous intake of heavy, spicy food and the use of stale, polluted and adulterated substances, causes problems in the digestive system and it decomposes after reaching the intestines. Thus, the intestine fills up with stool due to non-cleansing of bowels causing the contamination of the Dhatus as well. However, natural efforts are made for this polluted matter to come out of the body. Sometimes, the urge of consumption of alcohol, change of atmosphere, consumption of cold food substances just after walking in sunshine and too much consumption of oily foods also causes Colitis.

Usually the signs and symptoms of colitis include pain, tenderness in the abdomen, depression, rapid weight loss, aches and pains within the joints, fatigue, changes in bowel habits in increased frequency, fever; swelling of the colon tissue, erythema or redness of the surface of the colon, ulcers on the colon in ulcerative colitis, which can bleed, mucus in the stool, blood in stool and rectal bleeding. Diarrhea can also occur, although some forms of colitis are constipation so the stool and bowel movements can appear normal.

Other symptoms of Colitis may include gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, reflux, Gastro oesophageal reflux disease, cramps, urgency and many other uncomfortable aches in the gastrointestinal system. Common tests, which reveal these signs of Colitis, include X-rays of the colon, testing the stool for blood and pus, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. Additional tests include stool cultures and blood tests, including blood chemistry tests. A high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is one distinctive search in acute exacerbations of colitis. However, one or more types of foods can trigger the symptoms of Colitis.

The list of such triggers is as follows

Caffeine	Nuts, crunchy nut butters
Alcohol	Popcorn
Carbonated beverages	Seeds
Dairy products, if lactose intolerant	Spicy foods, sauces
Dried fruits, berries, fruits with pulp or seeds	Hot sauce, pepper
Foods containing sulfur or sulfate	Raw vegetables
Dried beans, peas, and legumes	Products containing sorbitol (sugar-free gum and candies)
Foods high in fiber, including whole-grain products	Refined sugar
Spiders

Although there is little medical support for the idea, some people claim they have become completely symptom free by eliminating most foods; especially grains and other cooked foods, and are replaced by raw food diet based around fruits. Types of colitis include ulcerative colitis (UC), lymphocytic colitis, diversion colitis, Crohn`s colitis, chemical colitis, ischemic colitis, fulminant colitis, infectious colitis, collagenous colitis, microscopic colitis, and atypical colitis. A well-known subtype of infectious colitis is known as the pseudomembranous colitis, which results from infection by a toxigenic strain of Clostridium difficile, however parasitic infections can also cause colitis.

Any colitis with a speedy downhill clinical course is known as fulminant colitis. In addition to the diarrhea, fever, and anemia symptoms seen in colitis, the patient experiences severe abdominal pain and presents a clinical picture similar to that of septicemia, where shock is also present. Approximately half of these patients require surgery. Irritable bowel syndrome, a separate disease, has been called spastic colitis or spastic colon.

Treatment of colitis includes the administration of antibiotics and general non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) medications such as Mesalamine (Asacol) or its derivatives; Azathioprine or similar immunosupressants; steroids such as prednisolone and prednisone; one or several of a number of other drugs that reduces inflammation and pain (buscopan). As it is a chronic condition the objective is "diminution" rather than cure. Surgery of Colitis is required only when the patient suffers from regular or permanent flare-ups, especially in cases of fulminant colitis. Surgery usually requires removing the colon and bowel and creating a "pouch" with a portion of the small intestine, which in time assumes the characteristics of the colon.

Medical opinion is classified on the basis of diet in colitis and IBD. Anecdotally, some sufferers find a change in diet and can be effective in treating the symptoms of colitis and easing the side effects. These include reducing the intake of complex carbohydrates, lactose products, refined sugar, soft drinks, caffeine, and spicy foods. Treatment of Colitis through Nature Cure is said to be the best, buttermilk is very useful for Colitis. Buttermilk may be prepared by mixing 4 times water in fresh curd and taken 3-4 times in a day, added with salt, jeera, heeng. But the curd should not be either too sweet or too sour. Hipbath is beneficial in this disease; however if not available, then even abdomen pack may be used for 30 minutes. Kati chakrasan is the apt Yogic Asana to treat Colitis. The four naval correcting asanas may also be practised for the prevention of recurrent loose motions due to the displacement of naval towards lower side.

Treatment of Colitis through Magnetic Therapy is also effective. Magnets should be applied to the soles of feet for 20 minutes twice a day. The North Pole magnetized water should complement the application three times daily. The chronic cases need to continue the treatment for a long time till the symptoms fall down.