For those with ulcerative colitis, yoga practice can increase in quality of life and reduced activity of their disease. [Photo: Bigstock]

Yoga brings benefits for ulcerative colitis

10 April, 2017

Natural Health News — New research shows that, for patients with ulcerative colitis, yoga practice can increase in quality of life and reduced activity of their disease.

The findings, by researchers from Germany’s University of Duisburg-Essen, suggest that regular yoga may be a valuable addition to conventional medical therapies for ulcerative colitis,

In a clinical trial of 77 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who were in clinical remission but were experiencing reduced quality of life, those assigned to 12 supervised 90-minute weekly sessions of yoga had a greater increase in quality of life and reduced activity of their colitis compared with those who were given written self-care advice.

The findings suggest that regular yoga may be a valuable adjunct to conventional medical therapies for ulcerative colitis.

What you need to know

» Ulcerative colitis is a debilitating disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

» Symptoms can very and the course of the disease is not predictable, though periods of stress can cause relapses

» This small clinical study has found that just 12 weeks of regular yoga practice improved quality of life and reduced the activity of participant’s disease.

A debilitating disease

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that results in long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the digestive tract, primarily affecting the gastrointestinal lining of the large intestine. The condition can often be severely debilitating and sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.

While the symptoms of UC can vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of inflammation present, doctors can often classify the condition according to the part of the colon that is inflamed. The following are the signs and symptoms commonly seen with ulcerative colitis.

  • Cramping and abdominal pain
  • Diarrhoea, often with blood or pus
  • Rectal pain and or bleeding
  • Constipation
  • Fever
  • Failure to grow in children
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue

Typically, ulcerative colitis patients have mild to moderate symptoms, with its course varying. Most see periods of remission but often relapse during times of stress. Yoga, as well as affecting physical health, has also been shown to help relive stress, anxiety and depression.