Collagenous colitis – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, February 22, 2018 by Janine Acero

Collagenous colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon characterized by a thick band of collagen, which is a component of scar tissue, under the lining of the colon. It is a form of microscopic colitis, which means that the inflammation is only visible when a biopsy is examined under a microscope; the inflammation cannot be seen or diagnosed from colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Collagenous colitis generally presents as watery, non-bloody diarrhea and typically affects individuals over the age of 50. In addition, women are more likely than men to develop the disease.

Colon

Known symptoms and risk factors of collagenous colitis

The primary symptom of collagenous colitis is chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhea. It may be caused by a bacteria, a virus, an autoimmune response, and/or a genetic predisposition.

Common symptoms of collagenous colitis include:

Abdominal pain
Dehydration
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Bloating and gas
Exhaustion
Mucus in the stool
Fecal incontinence or accidental stool passage, especially at night
Anemia

Smoking cigarettes or taking medications such as NSAIDs may increase the risk of developing collagenous colitis, as well as having a family history of autoimmune conditions or a type of colitis.

Unlike most inflammatory bowel conditions, collagenous colitis is not considered a risk factor for colon cancer.

Body systems harmed by collagenous colitis

Collagenous colitis affects the colon, which is the large intestine.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent collagenous colitis

People dealing with collagenous colitis may need to avoid consuming the following:

Foods high in fiber – Fiber stays intact in the digestive system, providing bulk to your stool, which encourages bowel movements.
Foods high in fat – Fat can encourage the muscles of the colon to contract, which increases the movement of stool. In turn, frequent bowel movement decreases the amount of fluids absorbed by the intestinal walls, which makes stool loose and watery.
Spicy foods – Hot or spicy ingredients can irritate the digestive tract and may make the symptoms worse.

Fluid intake is crucial when you have collagenous colitis, as having diarrhea will make you dehydrated. The most effective method of replenishment is to drink water.

According to EarthClinic.com, coconut oil is an excellent treatment option for collagenous colitis, as it naturally relieves stomach pain and watery diarrhea.