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What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s disease is regarded as an auto-immune disease.
Many different theories exist with
regards to it's cause. Despite this, no new treatments have
been developed. The mainstay of medical treatment still remains
the use of immunosuppressants such as cortisone. Surgery is
sometimes required for troublesome and obstructive lesions
as well as for abscesses and fistulae.
Crohn’s disease strikes when its victims are at a young
age; normally between the ages of 14 and 30, and it is becoming
increasingly prevalent in children. Attacks occur every few
months to every few years, and, if attacks continue, long-term
bowel function may deteriorate and the risk for colon cancer
increases some 20 times.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include chronic diarrhea,
pain in the abdomen, fever, headaches, mal absorption of nutrients,
and loss of energy, appetite, and weight. "Non digestive"
symptoms include canker sores in the mouth and clubbed fingernails.
Crohn’s disease also results in inflammation, but it
can occur anywhere from the mouth to the
rectum. It usually occurs in the later third of the small
intestine and in the first part of the colon, commonly near
the ileocecal valve, which separates the contents of the small
intestine and colon. The inflammation in Crohn’s disease
goes much deeper than that in ulcerative colitis, and it can
result in abscesses and fistulas (a narrow passage formed
by disease or injury, as one leading from an abscess to a
free surface).
As these areas of inflammation heal, they may leave scarring
in the intestinal wall, causing it to narrow. This may cause
difficulty in the passage of food passed these narrowings,
further aggravating the symptoms of this condition.
Dealing with Crohn's Disease
Dr John Hunter, from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge,
has had remarkable success in
treating his patients with elimination diets. His success
rates have risen to 80% recovery and
still 80% remission at two years follow-up.
This supports the food allergy connection to the etiology
of Crohn’s in many people. (Even though this theory
is not widely accepted in most medical circles). Due to the
fact that many Crohn’s sufferers have critical nutritional
deficiencies, an elimination diet shouldn’t be undertaken
without experienced supervision.
Holistic treatment is therefore focused on looking throughout
the body and its systems for any
abnormality that may undermine the immune system, including
hidden parasites (including Candida), chronic bacterial infection,
heavy metal toxicity and psychological factors.
Once identified, treatment can be focused accordingly. In
general, however, treatment is focused on reduction of inflammation,
assisting with digestion, correcting nutritional deficiencies
and modulating the immune system.
According to Francisco Contreras M.D, non-complicated Crohn’s
disease responds to garlic,
vitamin A, and beta carotene, and diets that avoid the consumption
of well-known allergenic
substances found in wheat, milk, corn, and chocolate.
For a detailed approach to an excellent treatment program,
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