by Tom Nelson
Diet is not the only way to reverse, cure, and control symptoms of Crohn's disease. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is another method that many patients are finding effective in controlling this ailment. CAMs are practices, systems and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine, but rather are used in conjunction with conventional Crohn's disease treatments to help ease the system.
One such therapy useful in treating and said by many to cure Crohn's is probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, usually good bacteria that help rebuild a person's immune system. These good bacteria can be types of organisms, yeast or algae, and are available in different types of food supplements. Another CAM treatment that can be used is acupuncture. The practitioner would concentrate on the areas that are afflicted and use the needles in the appropriate positions along the body. Other types of Crohn's disease treatment include: behavioral therapy; hypnosis; meditation; relaxation therapy; and biofeedback. The success of a CAM in helping the symptoms also depends on how much a patient believes in the therapy.
A type of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease therapies continue to be explored in case studies and research labs in hope to rid this chronic disorder of the digestive tract that can affect everything from the mouth to the anus.
The majority of patients with Crohns disease have irritation of the intestines, a break down of the microflora, usually focused in the smaller of the two. It can affect the colon, although any part of the gastrointestinal tract can be harmed. Doctor's have not yet been able to determine the exact cause of Crohn's disease and are less open minded to alternative therapies. Some things that may cause it can include a weakened immune systems, genetics, and environmental hazards. There is a possibility that the inflammatory bowel disease is part of the body's defense mechanism.
There are a number of symptoms that are associated with Crohn's disease, ranging from mild to severe. They include diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping with fever, bleeding from the rectum, and appetite and weight loss. Fatigue is also a common symptom and other bodily organs can be affected. Children who develop Crohns may have delayed growth and sexual development problems. Fistulas and fissures in the body can also develop as a result from Crohns disease. There are five types of Crohns disease and depending on which part of the body is affected and the severity of the symptoms will determine how severe a case a patient may have. Two often the more severe the case of Crohn's the more patients seek out alternative Crohn's Disease therapies when conventional medicine doesn't work.
Because of the nature of Crohn's disease, a proper diet and alternative medicine therapies may go a long way to controlling the symptoms and severity of each individual patients case and even provide a cure. Diets high in protein (especially from oily fish such as salmon and tuna) help fight the protein deficiency caused by diarrhea. Complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and fruit provide needed fiber. Patients are advised to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine. Omega-3 fatty acids and food rich in potassium should also be consumed as part of the diet.
If a patient is considering use a complementary and alternative medicine to treat their symptoms of Crohns disease, they need to discuss each option in detail with their primary care physician. With a firm game plan in hand, may sufferers of this debilitating condition can find relief from alternative therapies.
About the Author
Read an amazing story about an alternative Crohn's Disease therapy, Cure for Crohns Disease, sickness to health. Tom Nelson believes in taking a more holistic approach to treating and curing chronic diseases.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Crohns Disease Medication Being Researched in London
by Patsy Hamilton
Crohns disease medication may be ineffective, because no one really knows what causes the Crohns disease health problem, which is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight. The most commonly accepted theory has been that white blood cells or leukocytes attack normal intestinal bacteria, but a leading British expert, Professor John Hermon-Taylor has a different theory about what causes the Crohns disease health problem and is currently working to create a Crohns vaccine.
The scientific and medical communities blame a number of diseases on a dysfunctional immune system. These diseases are not believed to be caused by a weakened immune system, but by an overactive immune system. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, multiple sclerosis, Crohns and a number of other diseases have all been attributed to an overactive immune system.
In the case of Crohns, it is known that white blood cells gather in the bowel, causing inflammation, but no one knows why. White blood cells are the body's primary infection fighters, but when no infection can be found, then the assumption is made that the immune system is responding to normal bacteria or attacking healthy tissue and is therefore dysfunctional. Operating under this theory, a doctor may prescribe a Crohns disease medication that suppresses the immune system. While these drugs may reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, they may interfere with the body's natural ability to fight off infection.
A new theory, presented by Professor John Hermon-Taylor after 15 years of research at London's St. George's Hospital, has linked the Crohns disease health problem to a specific bacterium (mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis or MAP). The professor and his research group have developed a vaccine that he believes will cure the Crohns disease health problem, not just treat the symptoms. Instead of suppressing the immune system, the vaccine would assist the immune system by allowing it to identify and destroy MAP. Found in sheep, pigs and cattle, it is believed that MAP enters the human food chain via milk and water. Professor Hermon-Taylor is extremely confident in his research stating, "There really cannot be a dispute over the origins of this infection."
It will be years before this new Crohns disease medication is available to the general public. The professor's research is not government funded and has been supported solely by private donations from around the world. The vaccine must be thoroughly tested on healthy human volunteers to ensure that there are no side effects, before trials can be conducted using people who have the disease. St. George's University of London is trying to raise 700,000 pounds to fund the trials. To make a donation e-mail jhermon@sgul.ac.uk.
For those who currently suffer from the Chrons disease health problem, waiting on the new vaccine is not an option. The symptoms, even when mild, are not something that a person can live with on a daily basis without relief. A recent survey by doctors of doctors in Europe concluded that Crohns disease medication is inappropriate more than half of the time. Another survey showed that those who suffer from the disease seek alternatives, because of ineffectiveness or side effects associated with current medication.
One alternative to current Crohns disease medication is dietary supplementation with aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides (AMP), extracted from the Aloe plant. AMP has known anti-inflammatory effects and has been proven to subdue and reduce the occurrence of inflammation in the digestive tract. AMP has been shown to promote healing and prevent infection. It is believed that AMP may provide relief for symptoms associated with the Crohns disease health problem. For more information about products that contain AMP, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.
About the Author
Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in health care and currently writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Read more at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.
Crohns disease medication may be ineffective, because no one really knows what causes the Crohns disease health problem, which is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight. The most commonly accepted theory has been that white blood cells or leukocytes attack normal intestinal bacteria, but a leading British expert, Professor John Hermon-Taylor has a different theory about what causes the Crohns disease health problem and is currently working to create a Crohns vaccine.
The scientific and medical communities blame a number of diseases on a dysfunctional immune system. These diseases are not believed to be caused by a weakened immune system, but by an overactive immune system. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, multiple sclerosis, Crohns and a number of other diseases have all been attributed to an overactive immune system.
In the case of Crohns, it is known that white blood cells gather in the bowel, causing inflammation, but no one knows why. White blood cells are the body's primary infection fighters, but when no infection can be found, then the assumption is made that the immune system is responding to normal bacteria or attacking healthy tissue and is therefore dysfunctional. Operating under this theory, a doctor may prescribe a Crohns disease medication that suppresses the immune system. While these drugs may reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, they may interfere with the body's natural ability to fight off infection.
A new theory, presented by Professor John Hermon-Taylor after 15 years of research at London's St. George's Hospital, has linked the Crohns disease health problem to a specific bacterium (mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis or MAP). The professor and his research group have developed a vaccine that he believes will cure the Crohns disease health problem, not just treat the symptoms. Instead of suppressing the immune system, the vaccine would assist the immune system by allowing it to identify and destroy MAP. Found in sheep, pigs and cattle, it is believed that MAP enters the human food chain via milk and water. Professor Hermon-Taylor is extremely confident in his research stating, "There really cannot be a dispute over the origins of this infection."
It will be years before this new Crohns disease medication is available to the general public. The professor's research is not government funded and has been supported solely by private donations from around the world. The vaccine must be thoroughly tested on healthy human volunteers to ensure that there are no side effects, before trials can be conducted using people who have the disease. St. George's University of London is trying to raise 700,000 pounds to fund the trials. To make a donation e-mail jhermon@sgul.ac.uk.
For those who currently suffer from the Chrons disease health problem, waiting on the new vaccine is not an option. The symptoms, even when mild, are not something that a person can live with on a daily basis without relief. A recent survey by doctors of doctors in Europe concluded that Crohns disease medication is inappropriate more than half of the time. Another survey showed that those who suffer from the disease seek alternatives, because of ineffectiveness or side effects associated with current medication.
One alternative to current Crohns disease medication is dietary supplementation with aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides (AMP), extracted from the Aloe plant. AMP has known anti-inflammatory effects and has been proven to subdue and reduce the occurrence of inflammation in the digestive tract. AMP has been shown to promote healing and prevent infection. It is believed that AMP may provide relief for symptoms associated with the Crohns disease health problem. For more information about products that contain AMP, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.
About the Author
Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in health care and currently writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Read more at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Ways To Treat Crohns Disease
by Sandra Kim Leong
There are several ways that you can treat Crohns Disease. This condition can cause you plenty of pain, inconveniences and embarrassment. Hence, finding an appropriate treatment is crucial, especially when there is no cure for this disease.
Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease. It causes ulcerations (that is, breaks in the lining) of your small and large intestines. However, it can also affect your digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Many complications can arise from this disease. They include bowel obstruction, perforation of the inflamed intestines, bleeding, poor digestion, inflammation of the liver, joints and skin rash. You are also at greater risk of getting colon cancer with this disease.
Conventional medicine recommends that you treat Crohns Disease with drug medications and/or surgery. Drugs typically involve the use of aminosalicylate or corticosteroids. Aminosalicylate or corticosteroid enemas or suppositories are introduced into your rectum to help reduce the inflammation affecting the rectum or lower part of your intestine. Your doctor may also suggest a course of antibiotics to help treat any bacteria that may be causing symptoms in the digestive system. Immuno-modulators belong to another class of prescription drugs that help suppress the activity of your immune system and hence, reduce the inflammation of your intestinal tissues. In some cases, your doctor may even suggest that you remove affected areas via surgery. These recommendations may appear necessary for more severe cases, but do know that the disease can recur elsewhere.
There can be several side effects to the above mentioned treatment options. With the use of drug medications, possible side effects include vomiting, nausea, shock and an increase in infection risk. To avoid these potential side effects, you can consider opt to treat Crohns Disease via natural remedies. In fact, anti inflammatories such as fish oil have been found to help in intestinal health. Some patients even say that these options can be as effective as prescription drugs for a Crohns disease treatment.
Another important factor for Crohns Disease treatment is nutritional supplements. Studies also show that those suffering from this disease commonly lack sufficient nutrients. Hence, high quality supplements including B12, folic acid, Vitamin D, magnesium, potassium and trace elements can provide the necessary support. In fact, these supplements are also highly commonly recommended for children with this disease. A deficiency of these vital nutrients in children can cause stunted and retarded growth.
Herbal remedies can also be used to treat Crohns Disease. You can use marshmallow root on its own to make an infusion tea. Or, you can also mix marshmallow root with other herbs such as comfrey, slippery elm and goldenseal to make the tea.
Another way to treat Crohns disease is through making dietary changes. While some doctors do not believe that there is a link between diet and diseases, many patients say that they experience a decrease in their symptoms due to a change in their diet. Hence, do consider removing any known allergens from your diet. Allergens include wheat, milk, soy, etc., or avoiding foods that may result in increased intestinal inflammation. Also, consider giving up caffeine, fatty foods, alcohol, and reducing your sugar intake.
About the Author
Sandra Kim Leong publishes a free newsletter on detox diet. She also shares useful tips on how to improve bowel health. Gain access to her newsletter and special reports here at http://www.detox-cleansing-diet.com
There are several ways that you can treat Crohns Disease. This condition can cause you plenty of pain, inconveniences and embarrassment. Hence, finding an appropriate treatment is crucial, especially when there is no cure for this disease.
Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease. It causes ulcerations (that is, breaks in the lining) of your small and large intestines. However, it can also affect your digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Many complications can arise from this disease. They include bowel obstruction, perforation of the inflamed intestines, bleeding, poor digestion, inflammation of the liver, joints and skin rash. You are also at greater risk of getting colon cancer with this disease.
Conventional medicine recommends that you treat Crohns Disease with drug medications and/or surgery. Drugs typically involve the use of aminosalicylate or corticosteroids. Aminosalicylate or corticosteroid enemas or suppositories are introduced into your rectum to help reduce the inflammation affecting the rectum or lower part of your intestine. Your doctor may also suggest a course of antibiotics to help treat any bacteria that may be causing symptoms in the digestive system. Immuno-modulators belong to another class of prescription drugs that help suppress the activity of your immune system and hence, reduce the inflammation of your intestinal tissues. In some cases, your doctor may even suggest that you remove affected areas via surgery. These recommendations may appear necessary for more severe cases, but do know that the disease can recur elsewhere.
There can be several side effects to the above mentioned treatment options. With the use of drug medications, possible side effects include vomiting, nausea, shock and an increase in infection risk. To avoid these potential side effects, you can consider opt to treat Crohns Disease via natural remedies. In fact, anti inflammatories such as fish oil have been found to help in intestinal health. Some patients even say that these options can be as effective as prescription drugs for a Crohns disease treatment.
Another important factor for Crohns Disease treatment is nutritional supplements. Studies also show that those suffering from this disease commonly lack sufficient nutrients. Hence, high quality supplements including B12, folic acid, Vitamin D, magnesium, potassium and trace elements can provide the necessary support. In fact, these supplements are also highly commonly recommended for children with this disease. A deficiency of these vital nutrients in children can cause stunted and retarded growth.
Herbal remedies can also be used to treat Crohns Disease. You can use marshmallow root on its own to make an infusion tea. Or, you can also mix marshmallow root with other herbs such as comfrey, slippery elm and goldenseal to make the tea.
Another way to treat Crohns disease is through making dietary changes. While some doctors do not believe that there is a link between diet and diseases, many patients say that they experience a decrease in their symptoms due to a change in their diet. Hence, do consider removing any known allergens from your diet. Allergens include wheat, milk, soy, etc., or avoiding foods that may result in increased intestinal inflammation. Also, consider giving up caffeine, fatty foods, alcohol, and reducing your sugar intake.
About the Author
Sandra Kim Leong publishes a free newsletter on detox diet. She also shares useful tips on how to improve bowel health. Gain access to her newsletter and special reports here at http://www.detox-cleansing-diet.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Crohn's Disease: You Don't Need to Have It In Order to Hate It
by Bill Johnson
If you, a family member, or a loved one have Crohn's disease, you already know what a pain - literally - it can be. Not only painful, but with frequent bouts of diarrhea to really add joy to your life. Although Crohn's disease typically attacks the lower part of the small intestine - the ileum - it can affect any locale along the digestive trace, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease can even have a damaging affect on nearby lymph nodes. Folks, this is not something you want to have, but for safety's sake you do want to know the signs and symptoms.
The symptoms of Crohn's disease vary depending upon the location and severity of the inflammation within the digestive system. The symptoms most commonly seen are abdominal pain and diarrhea. Having these two symptoms does not mean that you definitely have Crohn's disease - nor that you necessarily have irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis - but it does mean that you and your doctor need to give close consideration about what's causing these symptoms.
Other symptoms which should cause you concern include rectal bleeding, bloody or black stools, unexplained weight loss, or persistent fever over 101 degrees (F). If rectal bleeding or internal bleeding are serious and persistent, you may soon be having to deal with anemia, too.
It's bad enough when you're suffering constant pain and diarrhea, but the complications can make you long for the days when pain and diarrhea were all you had to worry about. Intestinal blockage, anemia, fistulas, and nutritional complications - the list of potential complications goes on. Other, related complications may include arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, and diseases affecting the liver and biliary system.
You may be at higher-than-normal risk for this affliction if there's a family history of it. About 20% of those diagnosed with this have a close relative with this or some other form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other factors that would suggest you're at a higher risk for Crohn's disease include the presence of autoimmune disorders, food allergies, lymphatic obstruction, or infections of either a bacterial or viral nature.
Just barely falling into the category of "Somewhat Good News" is the fact that it is possible the disease will go into remission. There are those who go months or years totally free of any of the symptoms. Nonetheless, the disease typically returns more than once over the course of a person's lifetime. It is impossible to predict when a remission will occur or when the symptoms will recur. As you'd imagine, this makes it extremely difficult to say when a specific treatment has been helpful or when coincidence has dealt itself into the game.
While the disease is in remission, you may feel fine and be totally free of symptoms for months or years. Those with this disease often are able to hold jobs, raise families, and function successfully in life. Treatment helps to control the disease, but there is currently no known cure.
Further information about Crohn's disease can be found at cia-crohns-disease.com
About the Author:
Bill Johnson, webhost of central-information-agency.com researches and writes about "things of interest" to him. They're frequently of interest to others.
If you, a family member, or a loved one have Crohn's disease, you already know what a pain - literally - it can be. Not only painful, but with frequent bouts of diarrhea to really add joy to your life. Although Crohn's disease typically attacks the lower part of the small intestine - the ileum - it can affect any locale along the digestive trace, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease can even have a damaging affect on nearby lymph nodes. Folks, this is not something you want to have, but for safety's sake you do want to know the signs and symptoms.
The symptoms of Crohn's disease vary depending upon the location and severity of the inflammation within the digestive system. The symptoms most commonly seen are abdominal pain and diarrhea. Having these two symptoms does not mean that you definitely have Crohn's disease - nor that you necessarily have irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis - but it does mean that you and your doctor need to give close consideration about what's causing these symptoms.
Other symptoms which should cause you concern include rectal bleeding, bloody or black stools, unexplained weight loss, or persistent fever over 101 degrees (F). If rectal bleeding or internal bleeding are serious and persistent, you may soon be having to deal with anemia, too.
It's bad enough when you're suffering constant pain and diarrhea, but the complications can make you long for the days when pain and diarrhea were all you had to worry about. Intestinal blockage, anemia, fistulas, and nutritional complications - the list of potential complications goes on. Other, related complications may include arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, and diseases affecting the liver and biliary system.
You may be at higher-than-normal risk for this affliction if there's a family history of it. About 20% of those diagnosed with this have a close relative with this or some other form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other factors that would suggest you're at a higher risk for Crohn's disease include the presence of autoimmune disorders, food allergies, lymphatic obstruction, or infections of either a bacterial or viral nature.
Just barely falling into the category of "Somewhat Good News" is the fact that it is possible the disease will go into remission. There are those who go months or years totally free of any of the symptoms. Nonetheless, the disease typically returns more than once over the course of a person's lifetime. It is impossible to predict when a remission will occur or when the symptoms will recur. As you'd imagine, this makes it extremely difficult to say when a specific treatment has been helpful or when coincidence has dealt itself into the game.
While the disease is in remission, you may feel fine and be totally free of symptoms for months or years. Those with this disease often are able to hold jobs, raise families, and function successfully in life. Treatment helps to control the disease, but there is currently no known cure.
Further information about Crohn's disease can be found at cia-crohns-disease.com
About the Author:
Bill Johnson, webhost of central-information-agency.com researches and writes about "things of interest" to him. They're frequently of interest to others.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
What causes Crohn's Disease?
The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Theories about what causes it are many, but none has been proven. The most popular theory is that the disease is triggered by a faulty immune system. It is known that inflammation is part of the body's immune response and an immune response is usually triggered by something. Either the immune system responds too aggressively to bacteria in the intestine, or it may even perceive normal food and intestinal contents as a threat. To date, no specific trigger has been found to cause the inflammatory response seen in Crohn's disease.
Some evidence suggests that flare-ups of Crohn's disease are a heightened response to seasonal allergies, upper-respiratory infections, or other transient illnesses.
Crohn's Disease is not caused by emotional distress.
Heredity may also play a role in the development of Crohn's disease. While there is no simple correlation from parents to offspring, the disease tends to run in families. As many as 20 to 25% of patients with Crohn's disease have a relative with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Some possible environmental factors have also been linked to initial episodes or relapses. Crohn's disease appears to be a disease that primarily affects those living in Western, industrialized societies. Whether this is due to some condition of the environment in which people live or their diet has not yet been determined.
Some evidence suggests that flare-ups of Crohn's disease are a heightened response to seasonal allergies, upper-respiratory infections, or other transient illnesses.
Crohn's Disease is not caused by emotional distress.
Heredity may also play a role in the development of Crohn's disease. While there is no simple correlation from parents to offspring, the disease tends to run in families. As many as 20 to 25% of patients with Crohn's disease have a relative with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Some possible environmental factors have also been linked to initial episodes or relapses. Crohn's disease appears to be a disease that primarily affects those living in Western, industrialized societies. Whether this is due to some condition of the environment in which people live or their diet has not yet been determined.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum.
The main symptoms of Crohn's Disease are abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn's disease can be debilitating and may sometimes lead to life threatening complications.
Because the symptoms of Crohn's disease are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. There is no known medical cure for Crohn's disease, however, therapies are available that may greatly reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring a long-term remission.
An estimated 500,000 Americans suffer from Crohn's disease. It affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20% of people diagnosed with Crohns disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's disease is not contagious and can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
The main symptoms of Crohn's Disease are abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn's disease can be debilitating and may sometimes lead to life threatening complications.
Because the symptoms of Crohn's disease are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. There is no known medical cure for Crohn's disease, however, therapies are available that may greatly reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring a long-term remission.
An estimated 500,000 Americans suffer from Crohn's disease. It affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20% of people diagnosed with Crohns disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's disease is not contagious and can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
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