Crohn's Disease and Irritable bowel syndrome alternative
treatments
Crohn's disease is often confused with other inflammatory bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative
colitis, thus making it difficult to diagnose. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth
to the anus. Crohn's disease is characterized by an inflammatory reaction throughout the entire thickness of the colon and
bowel wall. This inflammation can penetrate deeply into the affected organ, causing pain and diarrhea.Moore
Symptoms associated with Crohn's disease include abdominal pain,
diarrhea, rectal bleeding (which may lead to anemia), weight loss, malabsorption syndrome and nutritional deficiencies. The
onset of Crohn's disease is typically between the ages of fourteen and thirty. Cases of this disorder tend to be 2-4 times
more common in Caucasian whites than non-Caucasian, and 4 times more common in Jews than non-Jews.
Crohn's disease is typically experienced as flair-up, with attacks occurring every few months to every few
years. Over time, if the disease is active, bowel function can gradually deteriorate, with the risk of cancer increasing by
20-fold.
Scientists believe that chronic imbalances in the intestinal
flora set off a chain of events that, in the end, damages the intestinal mucosa. This theory is strongly supported by the
parallel in the number of cases of Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel disorders and use of antibiotics over the last 50
years. In turn, it has also been found that the incidence of Crohn's disease is higher in cultures consuming a "western
diet", while it is virtually non-existent in cultures consuming a more primitive diet.
Studies also reveal that patients with Crohn's disease were found to be individuals who habitually ate, prior
to the onset of symptoms, more refined sugar, less raw fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber when compared to their healthy
counterparts.
While the exact causes of Crohn's disease is still unclear,
there is much that can be done to lessen symptoms and even put this disorder into remission. The goal for treatment of this
disorder is to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies and relieve symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and rectal
bleeding. Below are a number of alternative health suggestions that can help restore health to your intestinal tract naturally.
Recommendations for Wellness
An elimination diet, such as Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet have been
shown to reduce the symptoms experienced within 3 - 12 weeks.
Avoid sugar, both white
sugars and the sugars contained in white flour, white rice etc.
Keep a food/flair-up
journal. Identify foods you are eating, or your emotional state just before and during a "flair-up". In time, you
may find a pattern forming.
To reduce intestinal inflammation and begin
the healing process, try products such as Intestinal Sooth & Build, CLT-X, marshmallow root, slippery
elm, aloe vera juice or "Robert's Formula".
Flax seed oil and omega
3 oil are known to greatly reduce inflammation. If you find you have a hard time digesting it, try
freezing the gel caps before taking them.
Extra vitamins and
minerals are important at this time, especially if you are not absorbing nutrients correctly. Incorporate a liquid
meal replacement, one that is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein, and low in sugar, into your
diet as well as taking a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement.
Find a good mineral supplement such as alfalfa,
barley greens, liquid chlorophyll,
noni juice or colloidal minerals.
Many of these come in a powdered form that you can mix with water or juice.
Because of blood loss due to rectal bleeding and the anemia associated with it, incorporation of additional iron
is important. Look to find an herbal iron alternative, especially one that comes in liquid form for better/easier assimilation.
If you decide to look to a single herb, yellow dock would be a good choice.
A combination such as I-X is another excellent
source of iron. (Consult with your health care provider before introducing additional iron into your diet.)
Starting a program of re-inoculating the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria, such as
acidophilus, can enhance recovery and restore bowel function to normal.
source:http://www.soulhealer.com/crohnsdis.htm
The Gut associated lymphoid tissues [GALT] are the lymphatic system in the digestive tract.
Because over 70 % of the lymphatic system is in the digestive system, it is referred to as the second brain. Taking care of
the digestive system means taking care of your immune system.The bowels are where most toxins find their way into general body tissues through enterohepatic
circulation. We cannot start the organ-rebuilding process without cleaning the bowels of accumulated caked fecal matter. As
Gloria Gilbere puts it, “If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body.” Read Moore
The most common methods of the Crohns disease alternative treatment are: taking herbal and
nutritional supplements, fish oil, pro-biotic and exercise. Taking overall nutritious food including vitamins, minerals, fatty
acids and fresh fruits will improve digestion and allow more absorption of the nutrients by the intestines, making them healthy
in turn. Fatty acids found in cold water fish, flax seeds, canola oil and walnuts are found to be very beneficial for patients
suffering from Crohns disease.The dietary changes may not be a total cure from the disease itself, but it will help reduce
the symptoms, the discomfort you feel, reduce the side-effects of medication and improve digestion. This will certainly help
you in dealing with the disease a lot better
Understanding
inflamation
The basic purpose of the inflammation is
to contain the damage and facilitate the healing and regeneration. Inflammation is responsible for redness, pain, warmth,
tenderness and abscesses that occur during disease states.Inflammation brings in many cells that would
help in regeneration.
In the
February 2004 Times magazine article titled “Health: The Fires Within”,
KristinaDell and her colleagues show the surprising link between inflammation and cancer, heart attacks,
auto immune diseases, liver diseases and practically all illnesses that afflicts humanity. Chronic
inflammation also fascinates scientists because it indicates that our bodies may have, from an evolutionary perspective, become
victims of their own success. “We evolved as a species because of our ability to fight off microbial invaders, says
Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "The strategies our bodies
used for survival were important in a time when we didn't have processing plants to purify our water, when we didn't have
sewers to protect us”.
Kristina Dell and her colleagues point out that
“Most of the time, inflammation is a lifesaver that enables our bodies to fend off various disease-causing bacteria,
viruses and parasites. (Yes, even in the industrialized world, we are constantly bombarded by pathogens.) The instant any
of these potentially deadly microbes slips into the body, inflammation marshals a defensive attack that lays waste to both
invader and any tissue it may have infected. Then just as quickly, the process subsides and healing begins. Every once in
a while, however, the whole feverish production doesn't shut down on cue. Sometimes the problem is a genetic predisposition;
other times something like smoking or high blood pressure keeps the process going. In any event, inflammation becomes chronic
rather than transitory. When that occurs, the body turns on itself — like an ornery child who can't resist picking a
scab — with aftereffects that seem to underlie a wide variety of diseases”. Degenerative diseases become rampant
today because orthodox medicine chooses to suppress rather than understand the dynamics of inflammation. First they start
us with steroids and later they change our medication to non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Sadly,
this is like telling a diabetic patient to replace coca cola with diet coke
In inflammatory
diseases, the chemical messengers, leukotrines and prostaglandins, are manufactured from a type of omega-6 fatty acid called
arachidonic acid (AA). When the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 ratios are balanced one to one, as Nature intended, appropriate
amounts of omega-6 are produced to respond to inflammatory assault, viruses cannot multiply, cancer cells cannot develop,
diabetes cannot occur, blood cholesterol is normal, blood pressure is within normal ranges, autoimmune diseases cannot spring
up, and healing takes place. But, in standard American diets, the ratio of omega-6 far exceeds omega-3 by a ratio of 20 to
1. Excess omega-6 generated from malnutrition and acidosis fuels a steady supply of excess arachidonic acid that synthesizes
and creates an excess of chemical inflammatory messengers. In this situation, the omega-6 fatty acid becomes the friend-turned-foe
that has to be stopped. This oversupply of omega-6 fatty acid is the major etiology of chronic degenerative diseases. It will
take about 100 years for the human body to adapt to a 20 : 1 ratio that Western diets currently provide.
Living with Crohn's disease
How stress causes
disease
The
history of drug therapy in medicine starts with a sixteenth century Swiss-German doctor called Paracelsus. He was responsible
for the replacement of natural remedies like vegetables and herbs with inorganic substances like, like mercury and antimony.
This altered the practice of medicine from the use of holistic natural remedies to the use of drugs, and earned him the title
of the founder of chemical pharmacology.“The person who takes medicine must recover twice, once from the disease
and once from the medicine”, says William Osler, M.D.
Although choosing the right alternative cancer
treatment is important in your recovery, most only treat the physical symptom and completely overlook the underlying
cause/s of disease.Nearly all reported cases of recovery miracles documented report that the survivor has made dramatic changes
to their whole life. They have changed their diet and their lifestyle. They have removed all stress from their lives, and
most importantly they have healed their internal emotional stress which is the primary cause of stress and disease.
Chronic disease is a physical symptom of prolonged internal emotional stress. Although
most people endure stress and trauma during their life, it is the way we handle the stress – whether or not we repress
our feelings and internalize the stress – that determines whether or not we get sick.This may sound unreal to some.
How can stress give me illness? When you know how stress gave you illness in the first place – in scientific terms
– then and only then can you have the confidence to make the necessary changes and reverse disease within your body.
Illness is a message to you – from your body. It is communicating to you that something is not right within you
– emotionally. Chronic illness is not a death sentence; it is an opportunity to heal within.
When under the influence of any of the emotional and mental stressors, the levels
of the stress hormones in the blood shoots up. Significant positive correlations exist between levels of endogenous cortisol
and appetite loss, fatigue, and nausea or vomiting in patients with degenerative diseases. High levels of cortisol suppress
the activities of all parts of the immune system, which is primarily responsible for destroying diseased cells from being
overproduced. Similarly, high levels of cortisol in the blood also suppress the levels of another hormone called melatonin
that is responsible for calmness and restfulness.
Low levels of melatonin leads to cellular disorientation, sleeplessness, and insomnia.
This forces the body to enter a “survival mode” that evolved to keep us alive in the short-term at the expense
of fixing potential long-term dangers, such as damage to DNA and cells. This would then lead to increased risk of developing
disease. Stress involves a shift in blood flow from the digestive system to the brain and other major organs. This leads to
improper digestion and release of improperly digested food into the blood stream, causing a wide variety of metabolic illnesses.
Stress causes the depletion of the “feel good” hormones, like adrenaline.
Adrenaline is primarily responsible for the transport of sugar away from our cells. When adrenaline levels are depleted in
the cells, sugar accumulates. This is really bad news because microbes like viruses, parasites, and bacteria are sugar-loving.
Also cancer cells love sugar. They are attracted to the cells where they feed on the sugar. Sugar creates acidic environment,
and excess sugar sets the stage for fermentation and degenerative disease.
Certain foods and beverages may exacerbate symptoms
especially during a flare-up. It’s important for sufferer’s to be tuned in to their bodies to understand what
the triggers are. Making dietary and lifestyle adjustments can go a long way to improving the condition and promoting a feeling
of well-being in addition to helping avoid the side-effects of medicine.
Here are some tips that may significantly
help Chron's Sufferers:
Avoid dairy products if you are lactose intolerant, which means, you can't digest milk sugar
(lactose). You may find that diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas improve greatly.
Fatty foods such as red
meat, margarine, butter, peanut butter, mayonnaise, avocados, fried foods, ice cream and chocolate may not get digested or
absorbed if you have Crohn's disease in the small intestine.
Vegetables high in fiber such as broccoli, cauliflower
and beans may cause more gas, pain and diarrhea. There are many raw fruits and vegetables that you may eat with no problem,
but experiment carefully or cook the vegetables.
For many people it seems that eating a diet high in protein brings
relief. Try eating lots of fish, lean meats, chicken and eggs.
Drinking lots of fluids, especially water, and eating
five or six small meals a day, as opposed to three large meals, may help you feel better and reduce symptoms.
Irritable Bowel syndrome-IBS
IBS is a very difficult disease to diagnose and even more difficult to
treat because each case is so unique in both origin and symptoms. Roughly one third of IBS sufferers will display symptoms
of constipation, another third will have diarrhea, and still another third will suffer with alternating bouts of both.
Naturally fermented "live" probiotic foods such as fermented vegetables,
dairy and soy products are usually best. Sauerkraut, clabber, yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, kefir, natto, miso, tempeh,
soy sauce, tofu and unpasteurized beer are some of the most complete probiotics available.
Quite often IBS will raise its ugly head after
a patient has completed a long course of antibiotics without sufficient supplementation of probiotics when finished.
Antibiotics kill indiscriminately the good and the bad bacteria in the gut. Unless the good bacteria are reinstated
(via probiotic supplements or food) the bad bacteria get a jump start on repopulating the intestinal tract unopposed and hence
an imbalance occurs which can lead to IBS.
Foods that can help calm IBS
Naturally fermented "live" probiotic foods such as fermented vegetables, dairy and soy products
are usually best. Sauerkraut, clabber, yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, kefir, natto, miso, tempeh, soy sauce, tofu and unpasteurized
beer are some of the most complete probiotics available.
Things that may help irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
According to Dr. Marcus Laux, there are two types of
IBS. Constipation-predominant IBS and diarrhea-predominant IBS. Constipation-predominant IBS may be a result
of elevated norepinephrine levels -- which causes serotonin levels to decrease. (Serotonin is made in the intestines,
which is also where 95% of the body's supply is located -- most of the rest is in the brain, with trace amounts in the blood
and other organs.) Conversely, plasma serotonin is typically elevated in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS.
Since the drug Zelnorm
imitates serotonin in the GI tract, it has recently become the constipation-predominant IBS treatment of choice. Zelnorm
moves the bowels by acting on nerve cells in the gut. It aggravates diarrhea-predominent IBS, and is not generally effective
for men or people over the age of 64. Additionally, in cliical trials, Zelnorm was only 5% to 11% more effective than
a placeby -- which means it doesn't even work for most women. According to the package insert, Zelnorm works best during
the first month of use and its benefits fade after three months.
Natural alternatives to Zelnorm
Enteric coated peppermint oil (inexpensive, safe and available) has been shown to be
effective in reducing bloating, pain and discomfort. However, if you have acid reflux or heartburn, you should first
consult an informed healthcare provider for advice.
Fennel seed tea promotes healthy digestion and is also anti-spasmodic and therefore
good for diarrhea-predominant IBS. It can also be a welcome relief for bloating and gas pain -- which are often the
hardest IBS symptoms to overcome. It is a standard medical tea in Germany for dyspepsia. Organic seeds are best
and Heather's Tummy Tea is a good product. The longer you steep the tea, the more powerful it will be. Crush and
break the seeds a bit between two spoons before steeping for maximum release of potency.
Gamma oryzanol is a powerful extract from rice
bran oil that has gastrointestinal mucus-protecting properties and exerts a regulation effect on the nervous system.
IBStrol,
based on the ancient Tibetan formula Xijizhuba, is the latest development in gastrointestinal health. The formula contains
rhubarb, myrabolam, ginger, and Tibetan inula. It is good for abdominal distention, bloating, epigastric pain, acid regurgitation,
and heartburn. Although it is not a cure, more than 90% of patients find relief from symptoms. It is a completely
nontoxic treatment that is extremely safe without any harmful adverse effects.
Diet can play a big role in easing symptoms of IBS.
Some doctors recommend a 24 hour fast with nothing but pure water to drink.
(Chlorinated water kills good bacteria so it is not recommended for fasting.) Homemade low sodium vegetable broth can
also be used if the water fast is too difficult. After 24 hours, steamed veggies and light greens can be gradually introduced
but yeast products, fruits and starchy foods are strictly forbidden.
Days 2 + 3 of the two week diet begins the "weeding" of the GI tract
with broad spectrum natural antibiotics such as food grade hydrogen peroxide or garlic. Fresh garlic is preferred and
is very inexpensive. Two crushed cloves twice daily with meals is adequate but be sure to let the peeled garlic be exposed
to the air at lease 15 minutes before consuming. Of course odorless garlic capsules can also be used but their enteric
coating may irritate the gut. If hydrogen peroxide is used, only 2 drops of "3% food grade" hydrogen
peroxide should be mixed with 8 oz of purified or distilled water and drank 3 times a day.
Day 4 begins the "feeding" of the gut to heal any
damaged areas, reestablish the good bacteria, and bring balance back to the intestinal tract. During this period it
is important to stay away from sugar (including natural sugars in fruit), bread, rice, potatoes and all the foods that trigger
IBS mentioned below.
The following foods may be gradually introduced as tolerated: steamed or stir fried vegetables, onions, asparagus,
artichokes and high sulfur foods such as cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cress, kale, mustard,
radish, and turnips. During the second week beans, peas, chicken, fish, lamb, yogurt, whole milk, and slow-cooked oatmeal
can be reintroduced as tolerated. Stay away from instant oatmeal and low-fat milk.
Severe cases may have to redo the diet in two weeks if the reintroduction
of normal foods triggers additional symptoms. Or the diet may be extended longer than two weeks if difficulty is experienced
when new foods are eaten.
Helpful Natural Supplements
Slippery
elm powder works wonders for acid reflux when drank as a tea and also helps heal damage to the intestinal walls by
coating the intestines with a slippery protective surface that prevents the bad bacteria from sticking. It is a very
safe and nutritious product that can even be used with babies and debilitated patients. The correct intestinal dosage
if using capsules is 2 capsules, 3-4 times a day.
Sialex is an alternative to slippery elm. It is a mucus substitute, that is
very helpful in healing even the most stubborn cases of ulceration in the stomach and small intestine. The recommended
dosage of Sialex is 1-3 capsules with meals.
Food Triggers for IBS
Dairy products,
fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, fructose, corn, grains (especially those containing gluten), citrus fruits, and spicy foods
are all possible food triggers for IBS. Experiment with your diet to see which foods to avoid. Also consider taking
a plant digestive enzyme every time you eat.
Things that may aggravate IBS
Acetaminophen
can cause elevated levels of the serotonin byproduct 5-HIAA in the urine -- which suggests that acetaminophen interferes with
serotonin metabolism. This interference may be from acetaminophen's effect on smooth muscles like the intestines.
For instance, the sudden appearance of asthma in a previously non-asthmatic adult is often linked to acetaminophen use.
The affected smooth muscles in the lungs are similar to the ones in the intestines. Dr. Marcus Laux believes that too
much acetaminophen causes smooth muscles to convulse, leading to asthma in the lungs and diarrhea in the bowels. The
intestinal convulsions most likely interfere with serotonin metabolism, resulting in the elevated levels of 5-HIAA in the
urine. Thus, some forms of diarrhea-predominant IBS may be caused by the overuse of acetaminophen.
Source:http://altmedangel.com/ibs.htm
Symptoms
of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms you have had for at least 12 weeks in the last 12
months. It always involves abdominal pain or discomfort along with two of the following three characteristics:
·Pain or discomfort relieved by defecation
·Change in the frequency of
bowel movements
·Change in the appearance of stools
Natural Remedies for Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is widely used for irritable bowel syndrome. It is thought to reduce the abdominal
pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by blocking the movement of calcium into muscle cells in the intestines
and easing excessive muscle contraction there. Peppermint is considered a carminative herb, which means that it is used to
eliminate excess gas in the intestines.Eight out of twelve studies on peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome have found that
it is more effective than a placebo. Although peppermint oil is available in many forms, it should only be used in enteric-coated
capsules otherwise the oil can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause heartburn. Peppermint oil, especially in excessive
doses, may result in nausea, loss of appetite, heart problems, nervous system disorders, and lead to kidney failure and even
death. Peppermint oil should not be taken internally by children or pregnant or nursing women. Peppermint oil may interact
with the drug cyclosporine (used to prevent organ transplant rejection and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis), so they
should not be combined unless under medical supervision. To read more about peppermint oil, go to my Peppermint Oil Fact Sheet
Probiotics
Probiotics
are live microbial organisms that are naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina. Sometimes referred to as "friendly"
bacteria, probiotics are thought to promote health include suppressing the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, improving
immune function, enhancing the protective barrier of the digestive tract, and helping to produce vitamin K.There are over
400 species of microorganisms in the human digestive tract and the balance between beneficial bacteria and potentially harmful
bacteria is important. One theory is that people with irritable bowel syndrome may have an imbalance in their normal intestinal
bacteria, with an overgrowth of gas-producing bacteria. Studies have found that probiotics may be helpful for people with
irritable bowel syndrome. For example, a fairly large study published in the American
Journal of Gastroenterology examined the use of three different doses of Bifidobacterium infantis or a placebo
in 362 women with irritable bowel syndrome. After four weeks, the B. infantis dose of 1 x 10(8) c.f.u. was found to be more
effective than a placebo at reducing abdominal pain, bloating, bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and gas.
There are many different probiotic strains, and some may be more effective for irritable bowel syndrome. Another study compared
lactobacillus salivarius, bifidobacterium infantis, or a placebo in 77 people with irritable bowel syndrome. Only people who
took B. infantis had a greater reduction in abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel movement difficulty. For more information
on probiotics, read my Probiotics Fact Sheet.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerances may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome, possibly
by triggering immune responses in the gut, leading to low-grade inflammation and an imbalance of intestinal bacteria. The
most common food intolerances reported by people with irritable bowel syndrome are dairy and grains. A trained practitioner
can supervise an elimination and challenge diet. Many foods are removed from the diet for a brief period of time, then re-introduced
sequentially to isolate the body's reaction to the offending foods. Since grains are a common culprit, it is important to
remember that carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and that chewing grains thoroughly allows amylase, the digestive
enzyme present in saliva, to digest the grains.
Other Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel SyndromePancreatic enzymes have been
suggested for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms that are aggravated after a fatty meal.
According
to Shé D'Montford, Shambhallah, from Australia ‘The human body "WILL HEAL"... If we get out of our
own way and allow it, it heals itself. It is our basic nature. Anybody who tells you other than that is trying to sell you
something. No matter what you have been told. Don't give up on yourself and don't buy into the lines like ... ‘oh well
you've had a good life'... 'at your age'... and the worst of all ...'there's nothing further I can do, I suggest you finalize
your affairs'... How dare anyone tell you to give up! So much in society combines to convince us of the propaganda that some
things never get better. It's up to you ... do you want to get better? Make things better? It is human nature to make things
better, evolve and grow.”
This site is intended to provide general information only and is not a substitute
for medical evaluation or treatment. All matters regarding health or a particular health situation should be supervised by
a licensed health care professional.The author and the publisher shall not be held responsible or liable for any harm or loss
allegedly arising, directly or indirectly from any information in this site
