Colitis also known as ulcerative colitis is a condition, which results in inflammation of the lining of the colon and rectum. Colitis is similar to inflammatory bowel disease as both conditions result in similar symptoms. Unfortunately a person who suffers from colitis may experience several symptoms, they're:



Diarrhea (may contain blood and mucus)

Fever

Abdominal cramps

Constipation

Sleepiness

Weight Loss

Loss of appetite

The causes of colitis are still unknown but it's believed that colitis is a hereditary condition. There are various theories as to how someone can get colitis but they are not worth mentioning here only the facts are important when concerning medical conditions.

The main way to cure colitis is by removing the colon through surgery. This method in fact can be dangerous and cause indirect health issues such as Pouchitis, Ileostomy or body image problems. Even with the potential problems of surgery, there is a chance that other forms of colitis could occur.

Due to the above issues, many colitis sufferers are turning to other treatment methods.

There are certain drugs that offer some sort of relief, however an even more attractive option is through the use of natural means like dieting, food and herbs.

By maintaining a healthy diet and having plenty of vitamins and minerals, you will be able to manage the effects of colitis.

A person who suffers from colitis will lose a considerable amount of nutrients. What they need to do is consume slightly more food so they can receive the recommended amount of nutrients, which their body needs.

The Diet

A well balanced diet is recommended, so make sure you eat foods from the main food groups. However there are common foods that may aggravate the symptoms so you may choose to avoid consuming the following:

Milk and milk products

Caffeine

Alcohol

Foods High in Fat (e.g. fast food, oil, butter, processed snacks)

Foods High in Fiber

Please remember that there's no such thing as a colitis diet but that's exactly what many people label this particular diet. It will not work for all colitis sufferers and some may need to alter the diet to work for them.

Notebook

Having a notebook with you while bird watching is handy as it allows you to take notes on the birds you have seen. It's up to you what you decide to take note of, however most people take note of special details of the birds they have seen, the area which they were spotted and any other important details.

Attire

There are 2 main types of apparel bird watchers can invest in. First is a hat (any hat will do) The hat is mainly to do with protecting yourself from the sun, but believe me when I tell you that you wont be complaining if a bird decides to poo on your hat instead of your head!

The other item which is optional but very handy is a birding vest. You can place your binoculars and other equipment in the pockets.

The popularity of bird watching continues to rise and is definitely something worthwhile pursuing even if you have the smallest hint of interest. It's inexpensive, interesting, good for your health and you don't need to know anything about birds, so why not give it a go