Crohn's disease occurs normally between the ages of 14 and 32.
However, there are more cases being reported in children and other ages. The attacks may
occur every few months the every few years and if the disease continues for several years
then bowels can be damaged. The disease may increase chances for
cancer by perhaps as much
as 20 times. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pains,
diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever,
headaches, and digestive problems. Crohn's
is not contagious and its cause is still not known. Studies seem to
indicate that free radical damage could be involved and a lack of
vitamins C and E could be a factor.
Crohn's disease is indicated by
a chronic and long lasting ulceration of section(s) of
the digestive tract. This ulceration goes thru all the layers of
the intestinal wall and affects all of the digestive system, all
the way from
the mouth to the rectum/anus. These
inflamed body areas heal, leaving scar tissue that makes the
passageways smaller. Important to note that this disease is not contagious.
It's cause is still unknown, however a history of food allergies
is known to increases the risk of developing Crohn's disease.
Also, removing foods that cause allergic reactions will often
relieve symptoms of the disease. Research studies also indicate that free radical damage
is a factor, and that deficiencies of
vitamins C and E is also a problem. Crohn's disease symptoms include:
appetite loss, chronic diarrhea, energy levels loss, pain in the upper and lower abdomen,
fever, headaches, malabsorption, malnutrition,
steatorrhea (indicated pale bulky stools that float), and weight
loss. Chronic bleeding may cause iron deficiency
anemia. If the ulcerated intestinal wall
starts to leak, it may cause peritonitis. Mouth and anal sores may
occur when the disease is
active. Because of diarrhea, nausea, pain, and sometimes severe
headaches and even vomiting, people with Crohn's disease may not
feel like eating. Doctors may misdiagnose Crohn's disease as
appendicitis because the pain the disease creates is in the same
location. In addition to both inflammation and ulceration, persons
with Crohn's disease may develop strictures that partially block
or obstruct their bowels. They may also have fistulas, abnormal
passages that lead from one loop of intestine to another, or even
their other organs. The beginning of Crohn's disease normally occurs
between the ages of 13 and 30, however more often cases are being reported in children.
The attacks can happen from every few
months to every few years. In very rare cases, the disease occurs
one or two times and never returns. If Crohn's disease continues for
several years,
bowel function is reduced below healthy operation. Left untreated, it can
become very very serious, and even life threatening. Crohn's may
increase the risk of cancer by as much as twenty times.
Crohn's disease in alot of ways is very similar to
ulcerative
colitis. Both diseases cause loss of appetite,
abdominal pain, diarrhea, general malaise, rectal
bleeding, and weight loss. The main difference between the two is the
amount of involvement of the wall of the intestinal tract
Ulcerative colitis is limited to only the mucosa and submucosa,
which are the
first two layers of the lining of the bowel adjacent to the lumen
(central passageway). Crohn's disease also occurs deeper in the next
two layers, the muscular layer and the connective tissue layer
below it.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Essential
fatty acids |
10 |
extremely important for repair of digestive tract
and it also reduces
the inflammation associated with crohn's disease. Fatty acids are found in
omega fatty acids from fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil. |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
10 |
contains vitamin E , vitamin C ,
manganese, and zinc
and all of these are helpful in both the treatment and prevention of
Crohns. The nutrients found in a daily supplement are needed for good
general health and well being. |
Glutamine |
10 |
is a very important
metabolic aid for intestinal cells |
Fenugreek |
9 |
herb supports digestion,
cleanse the blood stream, and reduce inflammation and infection. |
Licorice |
9 |
herb works well in combination
with fenugreek, aloe vera, and peppermint |
Peppermint |
9 |
herb supports digestion |
Aloe
vera |
10 |
this herb helps restore flexibility and reduce inflammation and really nice if
combined with kava kava, ginseng, or passion flower. Aloe vera is also an herbal remedy that helps for Crohn's disease because it softens stools
and also has a healing effect on the entire digestive system. |
Acidophilus |
10 |
friendly bacteria needed for good bowel
and colon health. Maybe combined with Lactobacillus rhanosus,
Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus plantarum in a combination
such as Botana Cleanse (see link below) |
Folic
acid |
9 |
helps the human body in producing new cells. |
vitamin E |
8 |
important anti-oxidant that help with repair of intestinal tract. |
vitamin C |
8 |
C vitamins are essential in increasing immunity and helps to prevent inflammation works
better with bioflavonoids. |
Bioflavonoids |
8 |
helps to prevent inflammation
and works with vitamin C |
vitamin B |
8 |
helps prevent anemia, B12 helps digestion. |
vitamin
K |
8 |
very important for colon
health |
Zinc |
8 |
enhances healing and the immune system problems resulting from crohn's disease.
Found in a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. |
Garlic |
8 |
fights free radicals in Crohn's disease |
Calcium |
8 |
helps to prevent colon cancer |
Magnesium |
8 |
mineral that works with
calcium |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|