Question: After examination and tests, doctors have diagnosed the cause of my intestinal discomfort and bloody motions as colitis. Cortisone enemas have been prescribed, but results have not been encouraging. I would appreciate your comments.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition of the last part of the bowel that causes multiple deep bleeding ulcers to form. Its cause is unknown.
Patients experience bloody diarrhea, cramping pains in the lower belly, fevers, weight loss and sometimes anemia.
When the diagnosis is suspected by a doctor, it is confirmed by performing a colonoscopy. In this procedure a flexible tube is passed through the anus up into the colon, and through this the examining doctor can easily see the ulcers and inflammation that are characretistic of the disease.
Unfortunately there is no cure for this condition. In acute attacks, hospitalization may be necessary with many medications being given in high doses to bring the condition under control. Long-term treatment with steroid enemas, oral steroid tablets and special antibiotics (sulphasalazine) is then given to control the condition.
Patients with ulcerative colitis should be on a specific diet that is high in protein and low in dairy products. Each patient will learn to identify specific foods that aggravate the condition and avoid them. As a last resort, it is sometimes necessary for the affected piece of bowel to be surgically removed. If your condition is not adequately controlled, you should be discussing the matter further with your doctor, as good control of ulcerative colitis is essential for your long-term wellbeing.

Question: What can I do to stop chronic diarrhea?
The most important thing is to determine the cause of the diarrhea. The first step is a thorough examination by a doctor, and then appropriate investigations. These would certainly include examination of your faeces in a laboratory for any infecting agents, abnormal cells or blood. Another probable investigation would be blood tests to find any diseases that may have diarrhea as a component.
Diarrhoea has scores of different causes including infections, diseases of food absorption, allergies, cancer, gut inflammations, liver disease, tuberculosis, stress, diabetes, psychiatric diseases, kidney failure and a host of others. Once the cause of the diarrhea is found, the appropriate treatment can be given. Treating any chronic condition without determining its cause is foolish and dangerous.

Question: I am a 54 year old female, and for some years my bowels have caused pain. I have to use an enema to qo to the toilet, but afterwards I have pain at the bottom of my stomach. Should I go to a doctor?
A Anyone who has persistent constipation should not use laxatives or enemas regularly, but should be investigated by a doctor to find out why they are constipated. If laxatives are used regularly, the bowels become dependent upon them to work, and a long-term habit that is very difficult to break may develop.
Over-stimulation of the bowel by enemas may cause spasm and pain in the bowel. Your symptoms may be caused by the treatments you are using. The best treatment for constipation is prevention, and that means a diet high in fiber and fluids, and passing a motion every day. The best time to do this is immediately after the main meal of the day.
You should certainly see a doctor to have your chronic bowel condition sorted out.