Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers. This happens in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Ulcerative colitis is usually continuous from the rectum onwards, with the rectum almost universally being involved. There is rarely peri-anal disease, but cases have been reported. This ulcer causes diarrhoea, bleeding and mucus. With time the patient may become anaemic, protein and salt depleted.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. For some people the condition is a minor inconvenience, while for others it can seriously impact on their quality of life. Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis include severe and persistent pain in the abdomen, sores of the bowel, diarrhea/stool softening, bleeding from the intestine, weight loss, and perhaps fever. Due to blood loss, patients can suffer anemia.

Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammation is a process that often occurs in order to fight off foreign invaders in the body including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In response to such organisms, the body’s immune system begins to produce a variety of cells and chemicals intended to stop the invasion.
In the case of Ulcerative colitis, cells from the immune system are collected in the bowel wall, this leads to inflammation, injuring the bowel. This injury causes tissues of the affected part of the body, normally the colon and rectum to become swollen, red, warm, and painful especially its mucous membranes. The inflamed membranes develop patches of tiny ulcers, causing diarrhea that contains blood and mucus. Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower intestine and spreads upward to the entire colon.

Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis with Blood Test

Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. The best way to confirm a diagnosis and locate the area of infection is through a procedure called endoscopy. Blood disorders have been reported and some have been fatal. The most common and distinct symptom of this illness is when blood is found in the stool. Colitis rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, the ileum.

Ulcerative colitis drugs and treatment

Medical treatment with medications taken orally or rectally, is the first therapeutic option for people with ulcerative colitis. However, about 25 to 40 percent of patients with ulcerative colitis will eventually require surgery. Ulcerative colitis is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs based on various preparations of the drug 5-ASA. They are usually in tablet form. These drugs reduce the inflammation in the colon and are usually continued long term since they have been shown to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

There are many drugs that can be used to treat this disease. Some of which is Asacol (mesalamine) helps relieve ulcerative colitis symptoms including number of bowel movements and rectal bleeding as early as 3 weeks. Asacol is the only sulfa-free 5-ASA medication indicated for both treatment of mild to moderate flare-ups of ulcerative colitis and maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis. Asacol HD (mesalamine) delayed-release tablets are available only by prescription for the treatment of moderately active UC. Asacol and Asacol HD are generally well tolerated. In clinical studies, some patients taking Asacol or Asacol HD reported upset stomach, diarrhea, stomach pain, belching, flatulence, worsening of UC symptoms, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and general pain.

If you want to learn more information, please visit Asacol.com. They will help you understand what ulcerative colitis is and the various aspects of the condition, including treatment, diet, and maintenance therapy.

Jnana Yoga is the union of mind, body, and spirit, through acquired knowledge. It is true that reading will make your mind sharp, but what do Jnana Yogis read? Traditionally, Jnana Yogis read Hindu scriptures to expand their knowledge.

Yoga has been around for thousands of years. The Brahmin caste would have had more access to Yogic philosophy, and the scriptures (Vedas), than the average person, at that time.

This same parallel can be made to any holy man of any religion. Access to written knowledge, books, and Holy Scriptures was not common place, in any religion, hundreds of years ago. There was a time when the average person was forbidden to have a copy of the Bible. The early Bibles were very big, expensive to produce, and not meant for the public to interpret. Whether we like it, or not, this is a part of history.

Now, let’s fast forward to the 21st century. Millions of new computer users are accessing the Internet every year. So, how is it that more people, than ever, are disconnected from their mind, body, and spirit? We have attention disorders, multi-tasking, and many distractions to keep us far from tranquility.

Even in a Yoga class, you may hear a cell phone go off – despite the fact there are rules and a sign on the entrance of most Yoga studios. The sign might read, “Turn your cell phone off,” but people do not see it, even if it is right under their nose. Why?

Unfortunately, people do not read or pursue vital information. Cable television has hundreds of channels and the Internet has millions of sites. Do you really think the masses are trying to expand their minds by reading?

Jnana Yoga practice, and regular meditation, raises the “Level of Consciousness.” Yet it seems that prosperity seems to breed poor mental and physical health. When given the choice, children would rather play video games than watch the History Channel. Therefore, many adults must be getting in touch with their “inner child.”

Now, let’s come full circle. Entertainment is a wonderful thing, but we should be deliberate in our efforts to challenge our minds. Creativity cannot be found in games that are programmed or in viewing stories where you can easily guess the ending.

Your mind must be challenged on a daily basis by reading good quality writing and watching entertainment that is true art. The modern Jnana Yoga practitioner has much more access to education, information, art, and entertainment. However, he or she must be much more selective than ever before.