Natural Approaches to Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine, but with Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved. Ther may also be normal healthy bowel between sections of diseased bowel.
Crohn’s disease may run in families, and affects men and women equally. About 20% of people with this condition have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease. It can occurat any age, but it is more often seen in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
The exact causes of Crohn's are unknown, but the most common theory is that in some people the body’s immune system reacts abnormally by mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances as foreign. In this case, the immune system attacks what it perceives as foreigb invaders and during this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury.
Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
The range and severity of symptoms vary greatly from person to person. The most common symptoms are:
Abdominal pain, often in the lower right area.
Other symptoms may include:
Rectal bleeding.
Weight loss.
Skin problems.
Complications of Crohn's Disease
Blockage of the intestine is the most common complication. This happens because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, making the passage narrow.
This condition may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin, the areas around the anus and the rectum. These tunnels are called fistulas, and are a common complication as they often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. Fissures, which are small tears, may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.
Nutritional complications are also common because the assimilation of nutrients is hindered by the scarring in the intestines. Malapsorbtion problems are common for people with advance stages of Crohn's. Other complications can include: skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these symptoms resolve by treating the digestive issues, others will need to be treated separately.
Treating Crohn's Disease Some people have long periods of remission, even for years at a time, when they have no symptoms. However, symptoms usually recur at various times over a person’s lifetime.
There is no known cure for this condition. The goals of treating symtoms are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
Conventional medicine generally employs prescription drugs including anti-inflammatories, steroids like prednisone, immune system suppressors, antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, and anti-diarrheals.
Useful Herbs & Supplements
Probiotics, or friendly bacteria, will help to balance the gut flora and fight any yeast or bacterial infections. (FOS is a common ingredient in probiotic supplements and should be avoided.)
Some people find that using herbs and supplements to relieve their symptoms and boost nutrition can be a good alternative to prescription drugs which are costly and can have unwanted side effects.
Sufficient essential fatty acids can go a long way in preventing pain and symptoms of Crohn's.
Green food supplements like spirulina, and chlorella, which are rich in chlorophyll, and dense in nutrients help with a healthy rate of cell development, and can stave off nutritional deficiencies.
Vitamin C with MSM
Zinc boosts the immune system and accelerates wound healing. Many people with Crohn's disease are deficient in zinc. For some, zinc can be harsh on the stomach, so use with caution.
L-Glutamine is an amino acid that promotes healing of the intestines and repairs the mucousal layer.
What Else You Can Do
Drink plenty of fresh water daily to keep body hydrated and prevent constipation.
Consider a good Whole Foods Multivitamin
When symptoms are under control, include plenty of fiber in the diet.
During a flare up, however, limit high fiber foods and follow a low fiber diet.
It is very important to continue nourishing your body even during a flare-up. Try small frequent meals. Eating a high protein diet with lean meats, fish and eggs, may help relieve symptoms.
Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol and sorbitol.
Limit or avoid gas-producing foods like cabbage-family vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts), dried peas and lentils, onions, peppers and carbonated drinks.
The information on this web site is intended for educational purposes only, and not as any form of medical advice. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider.
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