Digestive problems, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are among the most common complaints in Germany: According to estimates, one in ten people suffers from them regularly. However, these symptoms often mask a serious intestinal inflammation, also known as colitis. In general, intestinal inflammation refers to inflammation of the intestinal lining, which can be accompanied by a wide range of different symptoms and effects.
In recent decades, the prevalence of this condition has risen dramatically, and many people affected experience significant limitations in their overall health and quality of life. However, the causes of this complex and often puzzling phenomenon have not yet been fully elucidated and remain the subject of intensive research.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of acute and chronic intestinal inflammation, as well as their causes and symptoms. We’ll also provide you with valuable tips on how to best support your gut.
The Various Forms of Acute Intestinal Inflammation
There are different types of acute intestinal inflammation, classified based on their cause:
- Infectious colitis: Infectious colitis refers to inflammation of the intestines caused by a bacterial, viral, parasitic, or worm infection. It is estimated that viruses are the cause of approximately 70% of all cases of intestinal inflammation.
- Pseudomembranous colitis: This is an inflammation of the intestine that occurs as a result of taking antibiotics. This inflammation of the intestinal mucosa is one of the most common side effects of antibiotics.
- Ischemic colitis: Ischemic colitis primarily affects people with arthritis and is the result of a circulatory disorder.
- Radiation colitis: This refers to inflammation of the bowel caused by radiation therapy to tumors in the lower abdomen.
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Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the small pouches in the intestinal lining (diverticula). It primarily affects people aged 50 and older.
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms and Duration
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases primarily refer to the two conditions ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These are the most common forms of chronic intestinal inflammation and share many similarities. The main difference lies in the area they affect: While Crohn’s disease can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative colitis occurs exclusively as inflammation of the large intestine.
The typical symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are varied and can differ from person to person. The most common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea (often bloody and mucous-laden in cases of ulcerative colitis)
- Constipation (in Crohn's disease, often alternating with diarrhea)
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Nausea, loss of appetite
- Weight Loss
- Fever
The duration of chronic intestinal inflammation also varies. While some people experience episodes that come and go, others are affected by symptoms continuously.
Causes of Intestinal Inflammation
The possible causes of intestinal inflammation are varied and have not yet been fully elucidated. Some factors that may contribute to it include:
- Stress-Induced Intestinal Inflammation: One of the main causes of intestinal inflammation is chronic stress, because an irritable bowel isoften linked to our mental state. When stress levels are constantly elevated, other bodily functions are scaled back. As a result, our digestive system becomes unbalanced and is more susceptible to inflammation—leading to stress-related gut problems.
- Diet: As with many diseases common in the Western world, diet also plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel conditions. This is because many modern foods lead to changes in our gut flora—also known as the microbiome—and disrupt the natural balance there. The resulting imbalance in the gut flora, in turn, has a negative effect on the intestinal mucosa.
- Genetic predisposition: Some forms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, may be influenced by certain genes. However, genetic predisposition alone is not enough to trigger the disease.
- Food Intolerances and Allergies: Many food intolerances can also cause intestinal inflammation. In such cases, the immune system is under double strain: On the one hand, it is constantly working due to the excessive immune response caused by the allergic reaction; on the other hand, it must fight the existing intestinal inflammation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Here's What You Can Do
A gut-friendly diet is essential for your inflamed gut. So make sure to eat a balanced diet rich in protein and fiber, and cut back on refined sugar as much as possible. Also, avoid foods to which you’re sensitive, such as milk, wheat, or citrus fruits.
Note: During an acute flare-up of ulcerative colitis, a low-fiber diet consisting of small, frequent meals is recommended on an exceptional basis to relieve the strain on the intestines. During the remission phase, it is advisable to gradually reintroduce fiber into the diet.
It also helps to specifically consume nutrients that help regenerate your intestinal lining. These include, for example, L-glutamine, lecithin, B vitamins, and polyphenols such as quercetin. These are found in Pro Mucosa.
The Role of Gut Flora & Tips for Building It Up
A healthy intestinal lining and a strong immune system require a balanced gut microbiota. An imbalance in the microbiome, on the other hand, is considered one of the most common causes of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. That is why building up the gut microbiota is important, and the following can help:
- Probiotics: Probiotics contain live microorganisms that naturally colonize our digestive tract. Taking these bacterial cultures can restore the balance of the gut flora. At the same time, they create an acidic environment in the gut, which is important for healthy gut cells. Pro EM san offers you a wide variety of bacteria and valuable polyphenols to provide the best possible support for your gut flora.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics are soluble dietary fibers that the good gut bacteria need to survive—essentially, food for your gut flora. By taking them, you promote the growth of friendly gut microbes and thus support a healthy and properly functioning gut. To optimally strengthen your gut bacteria, we highly recommend our Pro Präbioma.
Preventing Deficiencies in Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
People with inflammatory bowel disease often struggle with weight loss and micronutrient deficiencies. Because an irritated and inflamed intestine is no longer able to absorb all nutrients, deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals can develop quickly. Consequently, many people find it difficult to meet their high nutritional needs through a normal diet alone. In this case, consult your doctor or naturopath to identify any potential nutrient deficiencies and develop an appropriate nutrition plan.
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases therefore lead to an increased need for the following essential nutrients:
- Vitamins: A, B12, C, D3, E, K, folic acid
- Minerals: calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron
In this context, it is advisable to avoid irritating foods such as alcohol, coffee, processed foods, and hot spices. Smoking should also be avoided, as it contributes to micronutrient deficiencies.
Sources
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Bischoff, Stephan C. Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics. Georg Thieme Verlag, 2009, 1st edition
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Uwe Gröber: Micronutrients: Metabolic Tuning—Prevention—Therapy. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart, 2011, 3rd edition
