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Colitis can interfere with your daily life in ways you might least expect - causing cramping pain, unpredictable digestive disturbances, and discomfort that impacts your overall health. Colitis is inflammation of the large intestine (colon).

Colitis in Ayurveda is referred to as a disturbance of the body's energetic forces (doshas) - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The ancient system of medicine corrects this disturbance through modifications in your lifestyle, dietary habits, stress reduction etc. Let us understand what leads to colitis, and how knowledge of these culprits leads to long-lasting relief.

Ayurvedic Causes of Colitis

Colitis is usually connected with an imbalance of the Pitta dosha, which is in charge of digestion, metabolism, and transformation within the body. When there is an increase in Pitta due to causes such as unhealthy diet, stress, or external factors, it tends to cause inflammation of the digestive system, giving rise to colitis.
Dietary imbalances: Overuse of spicy, oily, or acidic foods may increase Pitta, causing inflammation in the colon.

Stress: A rise in the Pitta dosha can disturb the digestive tract and result in symptoms of colitis if anger management issues are suppressed or unresolved, or if emotional stress is ongoing.

Unhealthy lifestyle: Not sleeping on time, skipping meals, eating junk can disrupt the natural flow of digestive fire (Agni) and generate imbalances that contribute to colitis.

Modern Causes of Colitis

Contemporary medicine blames the onset of colitis on a variety of factors such as lifestyle, diet, infections, and heredity. Let's consider how these elements lead to the condition:

Unhealthy food choices: Causes of colitis include a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which can lead to poor digestion and inflammation in the colon. Poor sleep quality, chronic stress, and physical inactivity, are some of the common factors which disrupt the digestive system's natural balance and result in colitis.

Infections: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract may result in inflammation of the colon, thereby causing infectious colitis. Infections such as food poisoning or gastrointestinal infections usually trigger colitis, particularly if the infection is not treated in time.

Autoimmune diseases: These include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which occur when the immune system erroneously targets colon cells, resulting in persistent inflammation and ulceration.

Genetics: A history of colitis or other inflammatory bowel diseases in the family makes it more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be predisposed by genetic factors to develop colitis after exposure to environmental triggers.

Ayurveda's holistic approach provides a strong, natural remedy that focuses on more than just symptom relief - it addresses the underlying causes of colitis, restoring balance in your body. If you are experiencing the pain of colitis, don't let the issue get worse. Take charge of your health now. Book an appointment with an Ayurvedic practitioner and begin a personalized healing process that will nourish and fortify your digestive system for long-term health.