Ulcerative Colitis Information

The wheatgrass message has spread like wildfire over recent years and most people will have heard of it. Most will also know that is good for you. But what exactly is so go about it?

1. Well, for a start wheatgrass lowers blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body and increases red blood-cell count. It is also a great blood, organ and gastrointestinal tract cleanser. Wheatgrass enriches the blood and therefore stimulates the body's enzyme systems and metabolism.
2. The abundance of alkaline minerals in wheatgrass helps restores alkalinity to the blood. It has been used to successfully treat ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal tract complaints.
3. Wheatgrass Is a powerful detoxifier, and helps protect the blood and liver. It can offer protection from carcinogens in a way that no other food can replicate. It detoxifies the liver and bloodstream and strengthens our cells.
4. Wheatgrass can eliminate itching almost immediately when applied to the skin. It is amazingly soothing.
5. Apply a wheatgrass poultice to cuts, burns and scrapes in order to soothe the pain. The poultice should be changed every 2-4 hours. Also great for, insect bites, rashes, boils, ulcers, sores and, tumors.
6. Place a tray of wheatgrass in your bedroom if you want a good night's sleep. It will enhance the oxygen in the air and generate negative ions.
7. If taken regularly over a number of months, wheatgrass has the ability to turn gray hair back to its natural color.
8. Wheatgrass promotes youthfulness and can therefore restores fertility.
9. Wheatgrass can be used as a breath freshener, as it will neutralize bad breath. If you gargle with it, it will also firm and tighten your gums.
10. Wheatgrass has the ability to neutralize many toxic substances. These include nicotine, mercury, cadmium, and strontium.

Homeopathic Services - when you need a Professional Classical Homeopath with the letters DCH, CCH or HMC?

Recently at a presentation I was speaking at, it became very obvious what a confusing struggle it is to know when you've found the appropriate holistic practitioner for your specific health concern. In Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, East Vancouver, Burnaby and all of the Lower Mainland, this is a particularly challenging.

The positive aspect of the fact that this is such a challenge in Vancouver is that there are many holistic practitioners to choose from. There are many highly qualified Homeopaths, Naturopaths, TCM practitioners, TCM Doctors, Acupuncturists, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapists, Osteopaths, Reiki Masters etc... in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Within the different modalities to choose from, there are various levels of education. Usually this is indicated by the letters behind the practitioners' name.

When choosing a well educated and experienced Homeopath, look for the following letters: DCH, CCH and HMC. They will often be shown somewhat in this order. The significance of these letters is that they have received four years of up to date/contemporary education. That is what the DCH stands for (Diploma of Classical Homeopathy).

I will define the significance of the term 'Classical Homeopath' in another article. The CCH signifies that the Homeopath has completed the Board exams for Certification as a Classical Homeopath that apply to all North American Homeopaths. The CCH letters are very important when looking for a properly trained Homeopath. CCH stands for Certified Classical Homeopath.

In the Vancouver area (specifically Bowen Island and West Vancouver), we are fortunate to have an upper level Homeopath and Professional Teacher, Louis Klein. Between the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy (DCH) with Murray Feldman and Louis Klein's Homeopathic Master Clinician (HMC) courses, the Vancouver area is brimming with the best trained Homeopaths in North America.

Louis Klein's HMC course is an excellent three year follow up to the Diploma years. After these seven years of focussed, professional training - a Classical Homeopath is well equipped to help you with any range of health concerns - even the ones that conventional medical doctors might not know how to address (undiagnosed).

Seek Homeopathic Treatment from a Classically trained, professional homeopath for any chronic or acute health concerns. At Access Natural Healing Centre, we have the highest calibre, professional Homeopaths to serve you and your families natural health care needs.

We offer homeopathic treatment for, but not limited to: Allergies, Asthmatic Bronchitis, Headaches, Many psychological problems and disorders including Anxiety and Depression, Constipation, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, ADD, Autism, Weight Control, Menopausal symptoms, Chalazion, Eczema, Hepatitis-C, IBS, Psoriasis, Tonsillitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Urticaria, Vitiligo.

Good luck and remember to research responsibly. The internet can be a great first start to your research but follow it up with grounding contact with a professional of your choice.

Sincerely,
Elena Cecchetto ("El" for short) DCH, CCH (pending), HMC (pending)

If you are trying to determine whether or not you have celiac disease, you may have hit up your favorite search engine for a list of symptoms. But I'm afraid gluten sensitivity can't be encapsulated with a simple list. Let me explain why.

There Are Over 250 Symptoms Associated With Gluten Intolerance

The first reason any list will not help you is that celiac disease and varying degrees of gluten sensitivities feature an enormous, evolving and growing list of symptoms. Most people experience just a small subset of those symptoms, but that subset of symptoms could often represent an entirely different disease or condition.

If you were to look at a genuine attempt at a complete list of symptoms of celiac disease, it would read like an overwhelming collective list of dozens of other diseases or conditions. It could also imply to some people that if they didn't experience a large number of those specific symptoms, they did not have celiac sprue disease. And that is dangerously mistaken.

Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms Often Overlap With Other Problems

For example, in adults anemia is a common symptom of gluten sensitivity. But anemia could also occur if you are not consuming enough iron in your diet or if you have some other problem with your digestive tract, like an ulcer or Barrett's esophagus.

Osteoporosis is another symptom among celiac adults. But osteoporosis can represent a wide variety of conditions or simply represent a lack of vitamin D and/or calcium in the diet.

The most common symptoms associated with an intolerance to gluten are diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating, along with cramping. All of these could also indicate a wide number of conditions, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Lactose intolerance and candida problems can also mimic problems digesting gluten, so if you are worried about suffering from celiac sprue disease because of certain symptoms, you should also have yourself evaluated for these problems.

The Terms Gluten Intolerance, Wheat Allergy and Celiac Disease Are Not Synonyms

Another reason a simple list of gluten intolerance symptoms may not help you too much is that many websites often confuse a wheat allergy for a gluten sensitivity or vice versa. Furthermore, some assume that if you have an intolerance to gluten that you automatically have celiac disease, which is not true.

Others may imply that if you test negative for celiac disease than you can consume gluten. That definitely is not true as there are varying degrees of gluten intolerance and one can be diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity and still require a gluten-free diet.

So try to delineate the differences between these different terms and understand what the symptoms you personally are experiencing may mean in the context of your diet and your overall health profile.

Crohn's Disease (also known as ulcerative colitis, granulomatous enteritis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis) is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract (also known as the gastrointestinal tract). Crohn's Disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, however it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease - the common name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn's Disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn's Disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

The cause of Crohn's Disease is unknown. It is suspected that infection by certain bacteria, such as strains of mycobacterium, may be the cause of Crohn's Disease. However, there has been no conclusive evidence that the disease is caused by infection. Crohn's Disease is not contagious. Although diet may affect the symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease, it is not likely that diet is actually responsible for the onset of the disease.

The most common Crohn's Disease symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Less common symptoms include poor appetite, fever, night sweats, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, and skin problems, may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn's Disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.

A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose Crohn's Disease. Blood tests to check for anemia - which could indicate bleeding in the intestines. Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. By testing a stool sample, the doctor can tell if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn's Disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.

Crohn's Disease affects both men and women and can run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's 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 can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn's Disease.

Treatment for Crohn's Disease may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. Treatment controls inflammation, corrects nutritional deficiencies, and relieves symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence - however - there is no cure. Treatment for Crohn's Disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person's response to previous medical treatments when treated for reoccurring symptoms.

Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person's lifetime.

This changing pattern of the disease means you cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. It is not possible to predict when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return. A person with Crohn's Disease may need medical care for a long time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition.

Anal fistula, also known as fistula-in-ano, is a condition wherein a tunnel-like track is developed in the perennial region with one or multiple external openings near the anus area which leads to internal opening in the mucosa of the rectum or the anal canal.

Allopathy, homeopathy and even Ayurveda have different treatment options for this condition. In Ayurveda, anal fistula is termed as 'Bhagandara' and is classified on the basis of the site and shape of the fistula track. The complex ischio-rectal fistula also known as the horse-shoe fistula has been referred to and dealt in detail in the classical Ayurveda text - Sushruta tracing back in 300 A.D. Ayurveda suggested the Ksharsutra treatment and with a little modification, it is still relevant even today, according to Ayurvedic medical services.

The rare condition of chronically inflamed abnormal tunnel results from an infection in the tissue lining of the anal canal. The track between the outer skin of anus and the anal canal sometimes drains watery pus which can irritate the outer tissues and can cause itching and discomfort. The infection is caused to due to bacterial spread in the rectum. It may also occur due to cancer of the large intestine, tuberclosis, healed sore in the rectal area, diverticulitis, gonorrhea, ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease.

The symptoms of anal fistula may include itching, discomfort and pain, recurrent abscess, blood or pus discharge or irritation of tissue around the anus or burning sensation in the perennial region. The symptoms subside when the abscess or boil bursts spontaneously causing discharge. These boils heal for a short period but recur after a while. There is no definite cause for it but sometimes the fissure in ano gets affected and infection travels down to form a track or fistula and sometimes there is a previous history of ano-rectal abscess.

Anal fistula can be treated but they do not heal spontaneously. Fiber tissues develop on the inner walls of the fistula and the payogenic membrane doe not allow spontaneous healing. The common method of treatment is the removal of the payogenic membrane and the fibrous tissue which can take many sittings and sometimes, a silk setone is passes through parts of the track. The other methods may be sealing with fibrin glue, applying a skin graft, coring out fistulous track, laser surgery or fistulectomy or excision of fistulous track and suturing the wounds.

One can also take help of online medical products for the treatment of anal fistula.

The most common complaint I hear is that people always feel tired. In fact, most people seem to think feeling tired all the time is just a normal part of modern life. Fortunately, this isn't so.

There are many causes of chronic tiredness. Sometimes it's obvious, like not getting enough sleep, but other times it can be due to an underlying health issue. Chronic tiredness can be a frustrating condition. There usually isn't a simple solution to it and any medical tests are likely to come back 'normal'.

In this article I'm going to explore iron-deficient anemia, how it can cause chronic tiredness and who is most at risk.

Other symptoms of iron-deficient anemia include:

Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body.
Iron deficient anemia is the most common type of anemia. It happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. You need iron to make hemoglobin.

It's possible to be iron deficient without having anemia. Iron deficiency develops gradually and occurs when the dietary iron intake does not meet the daily need for iron. Initially the storage form of iron becomes depleted, while the blood hemoglobin level (a marker of iron status) remains normal. People who are iron deficient have no iron stores to mobilize if the body requires more iron.

How does iron deficiency progress to iron deficient anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is an advanced stage of iron depletion. It occurs when storage sites of iron are deficient and blood levels of iron cannot meet daily needs. Blood hemoglobin levels are now below normal.

In the initial interview with a patient the therapist may be trying to decide if the patient is saying "I cannot feel" or "I cannot think". If the client is saying they cannot feel the therapist may decide to employ gestalt therapy but if the client is saying they cannot think then the preferred method of treatment may be transactional analysis.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy is a system of psychotherapy that enhances the patients self-awareness and their personal responsibility. In gestalt therapy the goal is to raise the awareness of the patient concerning how they function in their social environment. The focus of the therapy is on what is happening in the here and now rather than focusing on the past. During the therapy sessions the patients become more aware of what they're doing in the present and they learn how to change themselves, except themselves and value themselves.

When you arrive for a gestalt therapy session you will soon become aware of an extra empty chair in the room. This chair is used for what is called "empty chair technique". This was the favored technique developed by Fritz Pearls, the founder of the present day gestalt therapy. When a patient reveals a conflict with another person they are directed to imagine that person in the "empty chair" and to talk to that person. This technique will help the client understand their feelings more fully and work through their conflict with the other person more quickly.

Gestalt therapy has been used to treat a wide assortment of "psychosomatic disorders" including such things as ulcerative colitis, migraine headaches, and to back problems. Gestalt therapists have also been very successful in working with many intra-psychic conflicts such as coping with authority figures. There is an emphasis on personal responsibility and back and help the client re-own "alien" parts of themselves and can help them resolve the conflicts between different aspects of their personality.

Transactional Analysis

Transactional analysis is a very useful form of therapy in which the behavior of both other people and ourselves is defined in a fascinating framework. Transactional analysis or "TA" was developed by the psychiatrist Dr. Eric Berne. His thesis described what he called "ego states"which are easily recognized by what we say, our body language, gestures, mannerisms, and tone of voice.

Berne hypothesized the existence of three ego states that he called "child ego state-adult ego state-parent ego state". He believed that individuals would continually switch between these ego states, sometimes even within one sentence. Since each person was capable of vacillating between any of the three ego states, according to his theory, when two people are communicating it is as if there were six people. Some of the possibilities are one persons parent ego state talking to the other persons parent ego state, adult ego state, or child you state.

Complementary transactions happen when both people are talking to each other and communicating from the same ego state level such as (parent to parent, adult to adult, child to child). The problem is most frequently occur when there are "crossed transactions". In this case people are talking to each other when they are in different ego states (I. E. Parent to child). If one person is being controlling (acting from the parent ego state) and treating the other person as if they are a child that person may retort with a parent to child response which is a classic example of the crossed transaction.

Another key component in transactional analysis is the theory of games. These games, in transactional analysis, our thoughts of being more like a war game than a fun game. In TA theory if you wind up feeling bad you have either started a game or participated in a game.

By analyzing these transactions and games between individuals the therapist can assist the patient in understanding the conflicts that arise in their interactions with other people.

I'd heard of the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride but mostly in regards to children with autism, so I never gave it a second thought when it came to helping myself. Little did I know.

About one year ago I remember getting up in the middle of the night and became aware of the sounds I was making. I was in obvious discomfort and I heard myself groaning and moaning as I hobbled to the bathroom, walking just like my old Grandpa used to do. I thought to myself I sound like an eighty year old woman, and I'm only 46. I figured this was part of aging. I'd heard that getting old wasn't for sissies, after all. I had a lot of aches and pains and general discomfort. I was tired most of the time and I had lost my joy for life. I was just going through the motions. I didn't think too much about it, as I tend to be a glass half full kind of person. Life was difficult, that's just life.

About a month later my husband confided to me that he was still having "problems". He'd been diagnosed a year earlier with ulcerative colitis, and even though his doctor had told him following the colonoscopy that there was nothing to be done diet-wise, he wanted to try something. He was losing a lot of blood every morning, and it was finally beginning to worry him.

I remembered I'd heard folks talking about the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS) on a forum I frequented, saying it had been instrumental in healing all types of digestive disorders. In fact, the main focus of the diet is to heal the gut and digestive system. When your gut is not functioning properly, all kinds of ailments follow. I wanted to help my husband, so I ordered the books and started reading. I was half way through the GAPS Guide book when I started realizing maybe, just maybe I could help my own body to heal. I was mainly concerned with, and wanted help with two areas: I wanted to stop being so tired all the time, and I wanted to feel like I had some joy in life. I didn't want to actually put labels on the problems back then, but now that I'm feeling so much better I can admit it. I was suffering from fatigue and depression.

A couple of weeks later I joined a group specifically set up on Yahoo Groups to help people who are on the GAPS diet. I read so many encouraging stories that I was anxious to get started.

I'd made a vow in 1995 that I would never, ever diet again. Just thinking about dieting would start me on a binge. I was really stepping outside my comfort zone to even think about doing GAPS. My husband and I started on GAPS in December. My husband was a good sport in following along for a while and learned that dairy products were causing the bulk of his problem so he eliminated them from his diet. However he has not stayed on the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet with me, so I've continued on my own for the past ten months.

GAPS may seem intimidating at first glance, there are a lot of foods you must avoid, and most people I know cannot begin to imagine restricting so many foods, but the pay off in changes to your health are well worth it. There's also a learning curve if you don't know how to cook. It's best to start out with Baden's GAPS Guide book which will help you get started with simple steps.

I have had so many changes occur for me but the first two things that happened made a huge impact on my daily life. For the previous ten years I had been unable to be in bed for more than 7 hours or my back would stiffen up into knots so tightly that I could hardly move. I am one that needs more than 7 hours of sleep so I would have to take naps on the weekends to try and catch up on my sleep. Two years earlier my feet began hurting and I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Within two weeks of starting GAPS my back stopped seizing up and I could sleep for nine hours without pain. And my feet stopped hurting! My feet used to hurt so bad that I dreaded standing on them barefoot in the shower, and had to put on supportive shoes just to get up in the middle of the night. It was like a miracle. I was encouraged to continue with GAPS on these two small miracles alone. No longer was I getting up in the middle of the night, moaning and groaning and hobbling around like an eighty year old grandpa. Not to mention that I've easily lost fifty pounds. By my six month anniversary I was a completely changed person. I'm so grateful that I decided to give GAPS a chance, and I hope you will, too!

According to studies and surveys performed by the National Institutes of Health, many patients are unhappy with conventional Crohns disease treatment and more than half seek alternatives. Crohns disease symptoms are difficult to live with and affect the quality of a person's life, so it is understandable that those who suffer from the condition would seek alternatives, when traditional therapies are ineffective or cause unwanted side effects.

Crohns disease treatment depends primarily on the severity of symptoms. Crohns disease symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. The primary Crohns disease symptoms may lead to complications including abscesses, ulceration of the deepest layers of the lining of the digestive tract or abnormal openings, called fistulas, in the intestine. There may be intestinal bleeding and that combined with recurrent diarrhea are Crohns disease symptoms that may lead to vitamin deficiencies, malnourishment and anemia.

Initially Crohns disease treatment may include an anti-diarrhea medication such as Imodium A-D, an over the counter product that is designed to stop diarrhea and reduce abdominal pain. When Crohns disease symptoms are moderate to mild, aminosalicylates or corticosteroids may be prescribed. If neither of these is effective or if stopping corticosteroids causes symptoms to return then Crohns disease treatment may include prescription medications that suppress the immune system.

The theory behind Crohns disease treatment plans to suppress the immune system stems from the fact that inflammation is present. Crohns and ulcerative colitis are known as inflammatory bowel diseases and the belief is that the immune system overreacts to bacteria that normally lives in the bowel and attacks it in the way that it would normally attack invading bacteria or infection. It is believed that Crohns disease symptoms may be caused by this dysfunction of the immune system, since inflammation is present, but not infection.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are not normally included in Crohns disease treatment, because they have been linked in clinical studies to flare-ups and worsening of Crohns disease symptoms. Thus corticosteroids are the most common choice of Crohns disease treatment to control inflammation. Corticosteroids are not safe for long term Crohns disease treatment or for the treatment of any disease, because they have serious side effects including high blood pressure, osteoporosis and increased risk of infection. When used for extended periods of time, some people become steroid dependent, even though they become ineffective after long term use and Crohns disease symptoms return.

When a Crohns disease treatment plan includes medications to suppress the immune system and control inflammation in that way, there is a greater risk of infection. Obviously if the immune system is suppressed, it cannot fight infection effectively. In addition, there is a greater risk of cancer, because the immune system normally attacks and destroys abnormal cells that if left unchecked may eventually become cancer cells.

Aminosalicylates relieve Crohns disease symptoms in some cases, but cannot be used by certain people and may reduce white blood cell counts; once again, lowering a person's resistance to other infections and diseases by impairing the immune system. Prescription medications for Crohns disease treatment are obviously lacking, both in effectiveness and safety. Scientists continue to research new drugs for Crohns disease treatment.

When Crohns disease symptoms are severe, surgery may be recommended to remove the affected portions of the bowel. This choice for Crohns disease treatment is extreme and is understandably avoided by most patients. However, those who have had surgery no longer suffer from Crohns disease symptoms. There are numerous support groups both for people who are considering surgery for Crohns disease treatment and for those who have had surgery, since certain adjustments and lifestyle changes may be necessary at least initially. Most people who have had surgery for Crohns disease treatment report that they are able to lead normal lives and that the relief of Crohns disease symptoms has improved their quality of life.

A recent study (August, 2006) found that 52% of the time, Crohns disease treatment was inappropriate. This was a group of gastroenterologists, surgeons and general practitioners evaluating the prescribed Crohns disease treatment plans of their colleagues. For those who suffer from Crohns disease symptoms, this may be discouraging news. Many people choose self-treatment with aloe, slippery elm or other botanicals. While the effectiveness of these natural products has not been proven, there is evidence of traditional use as digestive aids, which suggests that they may be effective for Crohns disease treatment and the relief of Crohns disease symptoms.

Aloe, in particular, has been scientifically proven to be a natural anti-inflammatory. Many researchers, doctors and scientists believe that natural anti-inflammatories may be gentler to the body, safer overall and more effective, because they target several inflammatory responses; synthetic anti-inflammatories may target only one molecule. Natural anti-inflammatories do not hamper the immune system, as do prescription anti-inflammatories for Crohns disease treatment.

Relieving inflammation can relieve Crohns disease symptoms. While decisions about Crohns disease treatment are a personal choice, those who suffer from the disease should advise their doctor about natural products they are using, particularly when using prescription medications at the same time. Botanicals and herbals have been known to interact with prescription medications typically used in Crohns disease treatment. For more information about natural products that may be useful for the relief of Crohns disease symptoms, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.

Introduction to Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The illness is similar to another inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis. While Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive system, it primarily impacts the colon and the end of the small intestines, called the ileum. Patients with the condition can experience symptoms like abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, bloody stool, and weight loss. It is theorized that Crohn's disease results when the body's immune system attacks non-threatening substances like bacteria or food in the gastrointestinal tract. Severe illness can result in the swelling, scarring, and blockage of the intestines, and many patients are forced to have surgery to remove damaged bowel sections.

Currently, there is no definitive cure for Crohn's disease, and its exact cause remains unknown. There are many medications on the market and in development that help alleviate symptoms, but no drug is completely effective. Moreover, many of these medications, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, have significant side effects. The shortcomings of traditional pharmaceutical therapies have led several patients with Crohn's disease to try complementary and alternative medicine for relief.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative treatments include natural substances like vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbs, as well as therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture, and hypnosis. Altering or restricting one's diet is another common response to Crohn's disease, as eating certain foods can exacerbate symptoms. Much like the patient response to pharmaceuticals, some Crohn's disease sufferers respond to natural remedies or alternative medicine, while others do not. Nevertheless, many holistic and non-traditional practices are becoming more mainstream, and it is useful for Crohn's disease patients to be familiar with complementary and alternative treatments.

Specific Therapies for Crohn's Disease

The following are examples of alternative therapies that have been beneficial for some people with Crohn's disease. Please be aware that evidence of effectiveness specifically among Crohn's disease patients can be limited, and some studies involving these substances and treatments were not placebo-controlled.

• Omega-3 essential fatty acids: typically taken in the form of fish oil supplements, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and have shown promise for some people with Crohn's disease.


• Probiotics (beneficial bacteria): there is some evidence that ingesting various bacterial strains can help Crohn's disease patients maintain remission.


• Vitamins: nutrient deficiencies are common in people with Crohn's disease. B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc are among vitamins recommended for patients.


• Diet: many Crohn's disease patients find certain foods more problematic than others. Some individuals feel better when avoiding or limiting dairy products, gluten, refined sugars, fiber, fatty foods, or fried foods. Experiences in this area seem to vary greatly among patients.


• Boswellia: resin derived from boswellia serrata trees is used as the basis of an herbal preparation that can help reduce inflammation in the body.


• Curcumin (turmeric): curcumin is another botanical substance that alleviates inflammation and also is an antioxidant.


• Aloe: patients can drink aloe in juice or gel form to promote intestinal healing, but aloe has laxative properties which can cause problems for Crohn's disease patients.


• Glutamine (l-glutamine): this amino acid can help preserve intestinal integrity and build strength and stamina.


• Bromelain: researchers have found that this digestive enzyme derived from pineapple has anti-inflammatory effects in colon biopsies of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.


• Acupuncture (moxibustion, acupressure): this component of traditional Chinese medicine has been shown to be beneficial for patients with a variety of ailments, including Crohn's disease.


• Exercise: a low-intensity fitness program can improve quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease while not making symptoms worse.

Crohn's disease is a debilitating digestive disorder with an unknown cause. There is no conventional treatment that can cure or soothe all people afflicted with the illness. As a result, complementary and alternative medicine has become quite common among individuals with the disease. While there remains no alternative therapy that is completely effective, there are several supplements and practices that have been beneficial for some patients.