Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis. I experienced painful bloating with a hugely extended stomach, and I also lost a LOT of weight. My body could not absorb any nutrients, and I felt weak and tired; my skin was dry, and training was a HUGE effort. I developed some strange food allergies (including carrots), which manifested themselves with diarrhea and a rash on my hands and feet in the form of extreme itching that I only can control by taking Benadryl. The doctors told me I could only take Peptol Bismol to relieve my symptoms. However, I have been determined to manage my Microscopic Colitis by modifying my diet and exercise.

What is Microscopic Colitis?

There are three types of colitis:

1. Collagenous Colitis – In which a thick layer of protein (collagen) develops in colon tissue

2. Lymphocytic Colitis – In which white blood cells (lymphocytes) increase in colon tissue

3. Incomplete Microscopic Colitis – In which there are mixed collagenous and lymphocytic colitis features.

All types of colitis are treated with the same approach.

What can cause Microscopic Colitis?

Some experts suspect that it’s an autoimmune disorder similar to those that cause chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. But it’s much less severe than other types of inflammatory bowel diseases.

A few things that can trigger Microscopic Colitis include:

• Medications that can irritate the lining of the colon.
• Bacteria produce toxins that irritate the lining of the colon.
• Viruses that trigger inflammation.
• Autoimmune disease is associated with microscopic colitis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or psoriasis.
• Autoimmune disease occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues.
• Bile acid is not being adequately absorbed and irritates the lining of the colon.

Some experts say that Microscopic Colitis resolves itself on its own. But not in my case. I have months of what I call a happy stomach, and then out of the blue, it starts again.

It still sucks if you ask me!

What do the symptoms of Microscopic Colitis include?

How Microscopic Colitis can affect someone varies from person to person. But the most common symptoms include:

• Chronic watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps or bloating
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Dehydration

Anyone can get microscopic colitis, but it’s most common in women and people over 45. It may also run in your family.

 

My Life With A Chronic Illness – Microscopic Colitis

After my diagnosis, my doctor told me that I should get on prescription-strength Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, and if that doesn’t work, then steroids should suppress the immune system. My answer was, “Is that all you got”? I couldn’t believe that in this day and age, there are no better strategies! I had to take it upon myself to find some relief.

What did I do to help my Microscopic Colitis Symptoms?

Here is what helped me improve my Microscopic Colitis symptoms (keep in mind this WILL vary from person to person, and always talk to your doctor first):

• Avoid foods, drinks, or other things that could make symptoms worse (this is a bit of trial and error), like caffeine, dairy, and fatty foods. Take a fiber supplement and stop taking medications that trigger symptoms.
• I avoid caffeine. Coffee is acidic, and it can adversely affect your stomach lining. Instead, I now drink Fennel, herbal and green teas to keep my gut happy and my body hydrated.
• Dairy can irritate the stomach lining, causing bloating, and stimulates the stomach to produce more acid. I limit my consumption of dairy majorly.
• Don’t eat fried foods, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, tomatoes (and other acidic foods), and fruit juices.
• I avoid raw fruits and vegetables; they are hard to digest and increase motility.
• Pre and probiotics, in general, either do not help or make things worse and contribute to the reaction.
• Try adding bone broth to your diet every day. Bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals that help build and strengthen our bones, and it has helped soothe my gut.
• If you are vegan, opt for low-starch foods, cruciferous vegetables, almonds, beans, olive oil, and avocados are examples of foods that can help reduce inflammation and promote collagen production.
• I stay on the moderate side of activity as intense training increases can damage intestinal cells, leading to short- and long-term gut problems. The damaged tissue can then cause toxic substances to leak out of the intestines and into the bloodstream.
• Try acupuncture. Experiences will vary from person to person. But starting acupuncture two years ago was a game-changer in controlling MC, increasing energy levels, and sleeping.

How can Intermittent Fasting help Microscopic Colitis?

I started Intermittent Fasting during this time, as some of you might know. I wanted to lose unwanted body fat and had no idea how positive this change would be for my gut.

Intermittent Fasting and the process of autophagy have had a positive effect on my gut. Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. It will not decrease the inflammation but, combined with healthy eating habits, has made my gut happier all around.

If you want to learn more about how to start Intermittent Fasting, I walk you through the process step-by-step in my Fasted and Fit Over 50 Jump Start.

Microscopic Colitis will never go away for most people,  but it’s a condition that you can manage. I have changed my diet and eating habits and shared this story with some of my friends, but I feel many women can benefit from my experience.

I’m sharing my tips, hoping that my journey gives you ideas on dealing with Microscopic colitis and lets you know that you’re not alone in this. Please reach out to me if you have any more questions or if this article helped you!