Crohn's Disease Symptoms And Solutions

Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is the general term for inflammatory diseases of the small intestine and colon. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is another form of IBD.

Crohn’s Disease inflammation is generally in the lower part of the small intestine, but it can also affect the entire digestive system from mouth to anus. Colitis, on the other hand, usually occurs in the lower colon or rectum.

A tendency towards CD often runs in families, affecting both men and women. About one out of every five CD patients have a blood relative with IBD problems, usually a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Scientists are not clear if this connection is genetic or environmental (relating to diet and other family habits.)

It’s difficult to distinguish between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, since they both have similar symptoms – such as abdominal pain and cramping, frequent and often bloody diarrhea, loss of body fluids and nutrients, loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue. Medical tests, therefore, are necessary for the accurate diagnosis of all IBDs.

Neither the cause nor the cure is known for CD. Drug therapy and surgery can relieve symptoms, but they do not offer a cure. Most patients are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications, which have unpleasant and often serious side effects.

However, several recent studies, reported in the Journal of Gastroenterology, have shown that anti-inflammatory fish oil high in EPA and DHA can reduce the severity of inflammation by more than 50%, allowing those suffering from the pain of inflammation to discontinue potentially harmful anti-inflammatory and steroidal medications.

Most Crohn’s Disease patients also need to manage their diet, by avoiding foods they personally find upsetting. This varies from one patient to another, but usually includes highly seasoned foods, raw fruits and vegetables and high lactose (blood sugar) dairy products. Because of the symptomatic loss of nutrients and dietary restrictions, natural, full spectrum food supplements are recommended to insure the nutrition necessary to stay as healthy as possible.

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Note: The information contained on this website is not intended to be prescriptive. Any attempt to diagnose or treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician who is familiar with nutritional therapy.