How to lose weight with ulcerative colitis? 

It is challenging to lose weight when you are suffering from ulcerative colitis. Abdominal pain and other symptoms will make it a bit hard to hit the gym. The best way is to go for light physical activities for 30 minutes. Exercise indoors as the toilet will is always accessible for you to attend to. Combine cardio and strength exercises to get an optimum result. Exercise every day if possible and choose the time when you are feeling at best. Diet also plays a vital role. Eat more vegetables, legumes, beans, and fruits. Please avoid high-calorie food such as butter and oils. It is better if you have your trainer to guide your training and diet. Ulcerative colitis burns out calories only through exercises and diet intervention.

Ulcerative colitis is a health condition where the lining of the large intestine (colon) develops inflammation and ulcers (sores). This leads to bleeding and diarrhoea. The terminal part of the colon and rectum are most commonly inflamed in ulcerative colitis. However, ulcerative colitis may affect the entire length of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis is one of the diseases that cannot be cured. However, the good news is that this disease can be controlled. The majority of ulcerative colitis patients can live normally and lead an active lifestyle with treatment.

The main and among the earliest symptoms is diarrhoea. Diarrhoea may contain blood or mucus. Other symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal pain
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Abdominal cramps
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Inflammation of the large joints
• Inflammation of the eyes, skin, and bile duct

Ulcerative colitis is one of the diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a separate entity from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The real underlying cause for inflammatory bowel disease is not known. However, the genetic factor, environmental factors, and other risk factors are reported to contribute to the development of this disease. Ulcerative colitis runs in the family and this suggests how genetic factors are a cause of ulcerative colitis. Environmental factors are believed to cause activation of the immune system that later results in inflammation of the rectum and large intestine.

Investigations, physical examination, and history taking are very much necessary and compulsory to conclude a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. History taking will focus on collecting and analyzing your symptoms, past medical history, past surgical history, family history, and social history. A physical examination will be the tool to detect any signs present. Blood tests are routinely done and patients are also required to go for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy procedure. Both procedures are to help doctors visualize the inner part of your large intestine. Stool studies and polymerase chain reaction are also important to detect ulcerative colitis.

Recurring episodes of large intestine inflammation is the characteristic of this disease. Untreated ulcerative colitis may result in complications. The complications are:

• Severe bleeding
• Perforation
• Fulminant colitis
• Toxic megacolon

Ulcerative colitis is not only affecting the large intestine and the digestive system, but also other organs, body parts, and body systems. The other structures and body parts that may be affected are:

• Bones and joint (arthritis and osteoporosis)
• Eye (uveitis)
• Skin (erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum)
• Liver (Autoimmune liver disease)
• Blood (thrombus formation)
• Airways (airways inflammation)

  Other diseases that may mimic ulcerative colitis are:

• Crohn’s disease
• Radiation colitis
• Infectious colitis
• Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome
• Medication-associated colitis
• Graft vs host disease