Crohn's Disease

What is it?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but most commonly impacts the small intestine and colon.

What are the symptoms?

Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
Weight loss
Fatigue
Fever
Reduced appetite
Mouth sores
Anemia (due to malabsorption of nutrients)

What else could it be? (Differential diagnosis)

Ulcerative colitis (another form of IBD)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Gastrointestinal infections
Celiac disease
Colon cancer

What are the aggravating factors?

Stress
Diet (high-fat or processed foods)
Smoking
Genetic predisposition
Infections or illnesses

What types of food are helpful?

Low-residue diet: To reduce irritation in the intestines.
Probiotics: To support gut health.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish, to reduce inflammation.
Limit dairy: Since lactose can exacerbate symptoms for some people.

Sample Recipe: Rice and Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken broth.
Directions: Cook chicken and rice together with carrots in a gentle, easy-to-digest soup.

What are the traditional treatments?

Anti-inflammatory medications: Such as corticosteroids or aminosalicylates.
Immunosuppressants: To control the immune response.
Biologic therapies: TNF inhibitors or integrin inhibitors.
Surgery: In severe cases, to remove damaged sections of the GI tract.

What are the natural and alternative treatments?

Curcumin (turmeric): Known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Aloe vera juice: May help soothe the digestive tract.
Probiotics: Found in supplements or fermented foods like kefir, which may help improve gut microbiota balance.