Natural Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
Supporting Crohn’s disease with diet, lifestyle, herbs and acupuncture
Surgery is an option, but not a cure for Crohn’s because it can recur even after surgery. A holistic approach to Crohn’s disease provides support to help keep your symptoms in remission and can also be integrated with conventional options.
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It most commonly affects either the end of the small intestine (the ileum), portions of the large intestine (the colon), or both the ileum and the colon together.
It presents in active flare-ups punctuated with periods of remission. Active Crohn’s disease can be very serious and often requires hospitalization.
Symptoms may include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abscesses, abdominal cramping, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.
If you are frustrated with your success so far, relying solely on medication, or are looking for natural treatment options for Crohn’s disease, there is hope.
What causes Crohn’s disease?
There have been many genes identified that can predispose you to Crohn’s disease. The trigger to activate these genes may be bacterial, immunological, dietary or environmental in nature. Dietary correlations to increased risk of Crohn’s disease can include excess dairy or meat consumption, and inadequate dietary omega-3 to omega-6 oil ratios. Cigarette smoking is also considered a risk factor to Crohn’s disease. This condition is not considered autoimmune in nature (as opposed to ulcerative colitis).
How is Crohn’s disease treated conventionally?
Crohn’s disease is treated conventionally with prescription oral medication to reduce inflammation in the body. It may also be treated with antibiotics or medication to control symptoms (ie. pain killers or anti-diarrheals).
Most typically, Crohn’s will be treated with corticosteroids in the short-term to control a flare-up of the condition, but may be managed in the longer term with aminosalicylates (although primarily effective if it presents in the colon, rather than small intestine).
Immunosuppressant medication may be prescribed in more severe unrelenting cases; however, these often are associated with stronger adverse effects.
Surgery may be recommended to remove the diseased portions of the intestines, however, with Crohn’s, the disease may recur in another region of the gut.
What is a naturopathic approach for Crohn’s disease?
A naturopathic doctor’s goal is to assess Crohn’s disease from a whole body vantage point.
A naturopathic doctor addresses Crohn’s disease using a combination of diet, lifestyle, herbal medicine, stress management techniques and acupuncture. Because there is elevated inflammation of the digestive tract, a diet appropriate for Crohn’s disease – supporting the digestive tract, while mitigating inflammation – will be recommended to you.
Additionally, it is important to consider nutrient therapy to correct deficiencies brought on by the diseased gut, and to support the digestive tract.
You may be recommended a test to better elucidate a plan including the IgG food sensitivity test and/or the comprehensive stool analysis test.
If you have been stuck or frustrated with the options presented to you, consider trying a natural approach to Crohn’s disease.
Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND is experienced with treating many digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease. He will assess your individual state of health and health history in detail, and recommend a tailored plan that is specific to your health requirements and digestive status. Book an appointment or contact Zentai Wellness Centre for further inquiries.