Ulcerative colitis potentially leading to feelings of nausea
Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. It's crucial for individuals experiencing these symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.
If you are frequently vomiting, experiencing unexplained weight loss, or cannot drink fluids or eat regular, nutritious meals due to nausea, you should contact a doctor. Other signs to look out for include feeling dizzy, faint, or severe pain, having diarrhea, noticing rectal bleeding, experiencing rectal urgency, or being unable to keep fluids down. These symptoms could lead to dehydration, which is a serious complication.
In managing nausea, it's important to identify whether it is due to an ulcerative colitis flare. Factors that may trigger nausea or other symptoms include missing a dose of medication, taking antibiotics, stress, eating certain foods, consuming alcohol, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Dietary tips to manage nausea include eating smaller meals or snacks more frequently, eating slowly, avoiding excess seasoning or flavor, drinking fluids before or after a meal, wearing loose-fitting clothing, avoiding lying down for at least 60 minutes following a meal, avoiding strenuous activity after eating, using a mouthwash or rinsing the mouth with water, opening a window or using a fan to reduce unwanted cooking odors, consuming food and drinks cold or at room temperature, using ginger, and taking medication exactly as prescribed.
Bland foods, such as canned fruit, crackers, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, pretzels, white bread, rice, pasta, may help a person who can keep fluids down without vomiting.
Medical cannabis, particularly formulations containing THC and full-spectrum CBD, may help manage nausea in people with ulcerative colitis. THC, known for its anti-nausea properties, can quickly relieve nausea when inhaled (smoking or vaping), while oral forms (oils, edibles) may provide systemic nervous system calming effects that also help nausea. CBD, which has anti-inflammatory effects in the gut, can improve overall disease activity and potentially reduce nausea indirectly by reducing intestinal inflammation and irritation.
However, medical cannabis is not without risks. Smoking cannabis can lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing or bronchitis, and there are concerns about safety and side effects, indicating that dosing and delivery methods need careful consideration in ulcerative colitis patients.
Research suggests that cannabis and cannabinoids may help decrease inflammation in some animal and laboratory tests, potentially aiding in the treatment of symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Two studies found that cannabis oil helped 24% of participants with active ulcerative colitis achieve clinical remission and self-reported higher quality of life scores than the placebo group.
Established ulcerative colitis patients with a new onset of nausea should discuss their symptoms with a gastroenterologist. If vomiting persists, avoiding solid foods and drinking small sips of water every 10-30 minutes after vomiting can help manage vomiting. A person may try drinking other fluids, such as broth, flavored gelatin, popsicles, fruit juice, tea, or sports drinks if they find it difficult to keep water down.
A healthcare professional can prescribe cannabis products for medicinal purposes to help with symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including nausea, pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and overall mood. However, it's important to remember that medical cannabis is still in its early stages and not yet part of a standard treatment plan for IBD. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish standardized dosing, safety, and efficacy.
Side effects of cannabis oil may include dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Proper absorption of important nutrients, minerals, and vitamins can be affected by ulcerative colitis, so it's essential to maintain a balanced diet and discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional.
[1] IBD & Cannabis: What You Need to Know - Crohn's & Colitis Foundation [2] Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®)--Health Professional Version - National Cancer Institute [3] Cannabis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Current Opinion in Gastroenterology [4] Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Preclinical and Clinical Studies - Journal of Clinical Medicine [5] Cannabis and Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of the Evidence - Journal of Crohn's and Colitis
- Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, necessitating medical attention.
- If nausea is persistent or severe, it's crucial to identify whether it is due to an ulcerative colitis flare, as factors like missed medication doses, stress, or certain foods may trigger nausea.
- Managing nausea in people with ulcerative colitis may involve medical cannabis, particularly formulations containing THC and full-spectrum CBD, known for their anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties.
- However, medical cannabis use is associated with risks, such as respiratory symptoms from smoking, concerns about safety, and side effects, necessitating careful dosing and delivery method considerations in ulcerative colitis patients.
- Research suggests that cannabis and cannabinoids may help reduce inflammation in some animal and laboratory tests, potentially aiding in the treatment of ulcerative colitis symptoms.
- Established ulcerative colitis patients experiencing new onset nausea should consult with a gastroenterologist, who may prescribe cannabis products for symptom management.
- While cannabis oil can help manage nausea and improve overall disease activity, it's important to be aware of potential side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
- Ulcerative colitis can affect proper nutrient absorption, making it essential to maintain a balanced diet and discuss any concerns with a healthcare professional.
- More rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish standardized dosing, safety, and efficacy of cannabis as a standard treatment for IBD, such as ulcerative colitis.
References:[1] IBD & Cannabis: What You Need to Know - Crohn's & Colitis Foundation[2] Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®)--Health Professional Version - National Cancer Institute[3] Cannabis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Current Opinion in Gastroenterology[4] Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Preclinical and Clinical Studies - Journal of Clinical Medicine[5] Cannabis and Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of the Evidence - Journal of Crohn's and Colitis
