Ginger and Colitis

Colitis is a very common disease with many causative factors, including genetics, environment, and infection. Like other gastrointestinal diseases, colitis is not easy to treat. If it is not effectively resolved for a long time, some people will consider using other methods of treatment, such as ginger. So, can ginger treat colitis?

Ginger has certain bactericidal and antibacterial effects, but not all colitis is caused by bacteria. There is also chronic colitis caused by autoimmune dysfunction, and the use of ginger is ineffective.

Colitis Treatment

Provide individualized and comprehensive treatment according to the patient's condition. In principle, the symptoms of the disease should be controlled as early as possible, remission should be promoted, treatment should be maintained, recurrence should be prevented, complications should be prevented and the timing of surgical treatment should be grasped.

1. General treatment

Pay attention to rest and avoid overwork. Eat high-nutrition, easily digestible, low-fat and low-residue foods. Total parenteral nutrition is given to critically ill patients or those with complications such as megacolon and intestinal fistula.

2. Medication

(1) Aminosalicylic acid class ① Sulfasalazine (SASP): suitable for mild and moderate UC, with an intermittent period to prevent recurrence. The dosage should be taken under the guidance of the doctor. Two points should be noted when using it: it is forbidden for those who are allergic to sulfa, and liver and kidney function should be checked after continuous use for three months. ②Mesalazine: It is the active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in SASP and has relatively few side effects. ③Olsalazine: It is composed of two molecules of 5-ASA coupled together. Its efficacy is similar to SASP, but its side effects are lower.

(2) Commonly used glucocorticoids include prednisone and prednisolone, which are one of the effective drugs for inhibiting inflammation in the acute active phase of ulcerative colitis.

3. Surgery

Patients with massive bleeding, perforation or impending perforation, or persistent or progressive worsening of toxic colitis should undergo emergency surgical treatment.

When intensive drug treatment can no longer completely control symptoms, or when there is long-term dependence on hormones and azathioprine, or when there are high-risk factors for cancer, surgery is also an indication.