Description
This is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin that usually affects the lowest section of the small intestine, although it can occur throughout the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
Crohn’s disease is often difficult to diagnose since its symptoms are similar to other intestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease can affect both males and females of all ages and has a tendency to run in families.
Children suffering from Crohn’s disease may experience delayed development and stunted growth due to nutritional deficiencies. (Adults may also be prone to nutritional deficiencies with this condition).
If left untreated Crohn’s disease may have serious consequences and even be life-threatening since it may increase the risk of cancer substantially. Those with Crohn’s disease should have a colonoscopy every two years to rule out cancer.
Crohn’s disease is diagnosed by means of x-rays or colonoscopy, blood and stool tests.
Symptoms
Crohn’s disease may appear suddenly and dramatically although it can also develop gradually and worsen over time. When Inflammation is experienced due to abnormal immune system activation in the lining of the intestine the following may be seen:
a. Severe cramping
b. Abdominal pain
c. Diarrhoea (Where diarrhoea is chronic electrolyte and trace minerals need to be replaced)
d. Rectal bleeding
e. High fever.
f. Fatigue.
g. Mouth sores.
h. Reduced appetite, sudden weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
i. Blockages of the intestine may also occur due to scarring
j. Inflammation of the skin, eyes, and joint
k. Kidney stones
l. Iron deficiency (anemia)
Treatments
There is no known cure for Crohn’s disease but treatment will revolve around controlling inflammation, correcting nutritional imbalances, and relieving symptoms. Conventional treatments usually involve drugs to control inflammation and those that suppress the immune system.
1. Diet will play a key role in reducing inflammation, maintaining a more alkaline pH, and correcting a loss of nutrients.
2. Supplementation, to help reduce inflammation and heal the digestive tract.
3. Should Crohn’s disease be present for many years bowel function may deteriorate or be impaired necessitating surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestine.
4. High stress levels need to be addressed or negated as this may aggravate Crohn’s disease.
5. Using a heating pad may help reduce abdominal pain
6. Intravenous ozone therapy for the inflammation
Nutrients and supplements:
1. L-glutamine – maintains the absorption surfaces of the gut (villi) and is a metabolic fuel for the intestinal cells.
2. B Complex – helps prevent anaemia
3. Buffered Vit C – assists with inflammation and improves immunity
4. Zinc – aids with healing and the immune system.
5. Digestive enzymes – used to assist digestion. This digestive enzyme combination improves the digestion of nutrients.
6. Omega 3 – reduces inflammation and helps repair the digestive tract.
7. Probiotics – aids in digestion.
8. Multivitamins – to assist with malabsorption problems.
9. Quercetin – assists with controlling food allergies and slows histamine release.
10. Autoimmune formula – for balancing and healing the immune system when autoimmune diseases are present.
11. Tummy formula – helping to promote peak digestive function and relieve gastrointestinal conditions.
12. Natra-lax – a natural laxative.
Causes
Although it is not known exactly what causes Crohn’s disease it is suspected that the following may have a role:
1. Autoimmunity, where microorganisms in the digestive tract such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, chlamydia, and mycobacteria may cause the body’s immune system to attack its healthy cells.
2. Genetic inheritance may be a factor in inflammatory bowel disease. IBD is known to run in families, having a parent, sibling, or another family member with this condition may increase the risk of getting it. There are several specific mutations in the genes that may predispose people to develop Crohn’s disease.
3. Smoking can double the risk of contracting Crohn’s disease
4. Diet and stress may aggravate Crohn’s disease, but do not cause the condition.
Underlying Emotions
There may be feelings of oppression, rejection, inadequacy, not being good enough, and defeat due to an unbalanced family dynamic where the parents or authority figures were over exacting. Consequently, Crohn’s patients may be afraid to live their own lives or realise their own personalities and potential.
The inflammation experienced can be linked to unresolved fear, inflamed thinking, seeing red, being angry about always being forced to understand another point of view while one’s own standpoint is dismissed, and frustration about conditions in one’s life.
Diet
The following dietary guidelines are indicated by those suffering from Crohn’s disease:
1. Treating childhood Crohn’s can be challenging because enough calories and protein for proper growth and development need to be consumed. Increasing the amount of protein, however, may tend to aggravate allergic sensitivities. It is important to monitor growth in a child with Crohn’s as chronic colitis can have an effect on the absorption of many critical nutrients.
In general nutritional deficiencies will need to be addressed by all Crohn’s sufferers and a healthy overall diet is required.
2. People suffering from Crohn’s disease are more histamine-intolerant therefore avoiding allergens and food sensitivities will be an essential part of the treatment where dairy, cereals, fish, pickled cabbage, hard sausage, and yeast are the most likely to be aggravating dietary factors.
3. Consumption of refined, processed foods, sugar, fizzy drinks, chocolate, eggs, wheat, corn, dairy, peanuts, meat, soybeans, most legumes, coffee, caffeine, oranges, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, and salty foods should be avoided since these irritate the digestive tract. Also avoid artichoke, grape skins and seeds, roughage, raw foods, and cold foods.
4. Caution should be taken with certain food combinations, in particular, try to avoid starch, sugar, and protein combinations (e.g cheesecake), and also try to avoid eating too many types of foods at one time. Refrain from eating more than one type of starch per meal. Do not microwave your food and try to consume more steamed vegetables than raw ones.
5. Short 3-day fasts are recommended to allow the digestive tract to heal.
6. Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well. Meals should be eaten in a calm unhurried way, do not read or watch television while eating.
7. Therapeutic foods:
Potato broth, cooked carrots, steamed and mashed parsnips, squash, pumpkin, figs, flax seed tea, steamed zucchini and squash, papaya, grated raw apple, applesauce, ripe peaches without skin, rice porridge, miso soup, slippery elm gruel, psyllium seed powder, flaxseed powder, Foods high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as vegetable, nut, seed oils, cold-water fish, evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and flaxseed oil.
Remedies
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Vitamin B ComplexR50.00
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Quercetin Bromelain and Resveratrol CapsulesR294.00
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Omega 3 CapsulesR223.00
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Zinc TabletsR70.00
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Tummy Formula TinctureR84.00
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Tummy Formula CapsulesR88.00
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Probiotics (D)R82.00
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Natra-Lax CapsulesR70.00
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Multi Vitamin TabletsR50.00
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L-Glutamine CapsulesR81.00
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Digestive Enzymes CapsulesR150.00
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Buffered Vitamin C CapsulesR70.00
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Autoimmune Formula TinctureR84.00