Natural Remedies for Managing Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a condition that can affect all areas of the gastrointestinal tract—from the mouth to the anus. It can also cause swelling of the intestinal walls, which commonly occurs in the lower section of the small intestine, called the ileum, and the first part of the colon. The most commons symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea and severe weight loss.

According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, every Crohn’s patient experiences the disease differently—some have few episodes followed by long periods of remission without any symptoms. Others recurring episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, bleeding, and severe weight loss, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and depression.

Most Crohn’s sufferers can expect to take prescription medicine for the rest of their lives and this can cost a small fortune even if they purchase discount Canadian drugs online. However, there are a wide range of treatment options and natural remedies available. With doctor monitoring, many Crohn’s sufferers may choose to take a proactive approach to their disease. By making the following diet and lifestyle changes, some Crohn’s patients have been able to manage their symptoms and live relatively normal and productive lives.

The following natural remedies and changes to your diet and lifestyle may help you control your Crohn’s symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups:

Take a multivitamin

Crohn’s disease can limit your ability to absorb nutrients so multivitamins and mineral supplements are often helpful to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need for adequate immune health. However, it’s always wise to check with your doctor or a dietician before taking any vitamins or supplements.

Vitamin B-12

As mentioned, Crohn’s sufferers have all sorts of problems when it comes to absorbing vital nutrients. On top of that; they’re limited diets may not include a fully balanced array of food choices. One of the common deficiencies in Crohn’s patients is vitamin B. When a person is B-deficient they may experience numbness in the hands and feet, memory loss, as well as issues with balance. Adequate levels of Vitamin B is important for Crohn’s sufferers because it regulates healthy nerve and gut function. Schedule a visit with your doctor physician to get your B levels accessed via a simple blood test. If you are low on Bs, you can tweak your diet or take B12 supplements or shots in order to raise your absorption rates.

Diet

Although there’s no link between diet and Crohn’s disease; certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a Crohn’s flare-up. You can avoid aggravating foods by keeping a food diary to record what you’re eating and how you feel afterwards. If you link some foods to periods of discomfort, simply eliminate those foods. Common foods that have intensified Crohn’s symptoms are:

Dairy products

Many people with Crohn’s disease are actually lactose intolerant, and they experience worsened diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas due to the fact that their bodies can’t digest milk sugars (or lactose) in dairy foods. If you suffer discomfort after eating dairy, switch to lactose-free products like soy milk or almond milk, or take a Lactaid supplement to help break down milk sugars.

Cut the fiber

I know we’re used to our doctor’s telling us to bulk up on fiber-rich foods. However, if you have Crohn’s disease, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, can be abrasive, making bowel movements even more painful and gas worse. Raw fruits and vegetables commonly bother Crohn’s sufferers, so try steaming or stewing them. If you still experience pain, eliminate those that bother you (for example, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, nuts and seeds, beans, alcohol, caffeine, soda and chocolate are often problem foods) from your diet completely.

Consume low-fat foods

Crohn’s disease that affects the small intestine, is often related to issues absorbing fats—such as butter, margarine, cream sauces and fried foods. Crohn’s sufferers with poor fat absorption will experience explosive diarrhea when highly fatty foods are consumed. It’s best to opt for lower fat options whenever possible.

Eat frequent small meals

Grazing is healthier for you anyways—as it encourages better digestion and keeps you energized throughout the day.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water will aid digestion by flushing foods through the digestive tract with greater ease. However, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can make diarrhea worse. Same goes for carbonated drinks, which often cause bad gas.

Don’t smoke

According to the National Institute of Health and many other reputed health organizations, smoking increases your risk of Crohn’s disease, often causing frequent relapses and repeat surgeries. Butting out is a simple way to improve the overall health of your digestive tract.

Curb stress

No, stress doesn’t cause Crohn’s disease; however, it can trigger Crohn’s flare-ups and slow the regular digestive process. Try to curb the affects of stress with regular, gentle exercise—such as yoga or walking—as well as some relaxation techniques—such as meditation or breathing exercises— to normalize digestion and bowel movements, and lower anxiety.

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Bernice Spradlin is an avid hiker and runner. She works at a gym in Brooklyn, New York, where she gets great inspiration for her freelance health-related articles and blogs. In her off time, you can often find Bernice jogging the East River path along the waterfront. Bernice can be contacted at BerniceG.Spradlin@gmail.com