The Seasonality of Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are inflammatory bowel diseases that are autoimmune in nature meaning that a person's immune system attacks its own body. Many people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are starting to notice a pattern in the frequency and severity of their "flare-ups." A flare-up happens when the disease becomes active and causes symptoms including, but not limited to, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, dietary changes, weight loss, loss of appetite, bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool.

Some patients have claimed that their symptoms worsen in the warmer months of the year. One of the factors that could lead to seasonal flare-ups is change in the atmosphere. As the weather begins to get warmer and vegetation starts to cultivate again allergens are put into the air causing seasonal changes in immune function. This change could be responsible for the activation of the clinical symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

As the seasons change so does the availability of various fruits and vegetables. Allergies to the changing substances in the air or to different foods can cause what is known as an IgE-related response. It has been thought that flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease could be related to this immunoglobulin. An immunoglobulin is an antibody in the immune response that binds with certain antigens. Antigens are foreign materials in the body that include things like abnormal blood cells, bacteria, and toxins. IgE speeds up the immune response and attempts to destroy these foreign materials.

In my own experience I have found that the symptoms of my disease worsen in the fall, usually during the months of August and September, and then again in the spring, usually during the months of March and April. I have found that taking antihistamines does help to control the symptoms. They never fully subside with antihistamines but they do alleviate some of the symptoms considerably. A change in diet is also helpful. Learning about nutrition with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is important and can be a major part of staying in remission.

One of the things a lot of patients with ulcerative colitis will find helpful is drinking lots of water. Keeping your system flushed rids your body of unwanted materials and keeps you hydrated, which will also help reduce some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. It is important to know that drinking too much water can be dangerous as it can cause "water intoxication," also known as hyper-hydration or water poisoning. Too much water can interfere with the normal balance of electrolytes and can cause cells to burst in different parts of the body causing various symptoms including headaches, severe nausea, and severe vomiting. This does not mean that you shouldn't drink water. Drinking the recommended eight to ten glasses a day is safe and healthy.

Sources:

www.mayoclinic.com
www.medtrack.com
www.freemedicaljournals.com
www.medbioworld.com