Crohn’s disease, of unknown origin, is an inflammation of the bowel possibly from an immune defect. Studies now indicate that it is blocking of the small blood vessels feeding the intestine. Death of small sections of the bowel could be responsible for the ulceration and Assuring of the gastric mucosa.
In chronic cases the patients complain of pain mostly in the right-hand side of the gut, and of diarrhoea. During the acute stage weight loss, noticeable lack of energy, and sometimes fever and anaemia may be evident. Patients usually feel despondent and have a poor outlook on life.
The diarrhoea may be accompanied by pus, mucus and/or blood if the colon is affected. Seldom is there frank blood.
These are indicators that Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis may be linked in families sharing a common but incomplete genetic basis.
As the main medical treatment is corticosteroids there is the danger of acute adrenal insufficiency in patients treated with this drug. It may be brought about by the abrupt withdrawal of the corticosteroid or the patients’ adrenals being unable to cope with increased infection or stress.
Prednisone and sulfasalazine are therapeutic. However, herbs and nutrients are used that have an anti-flammatory and vascular supportive action. Slippery elm, liquorice , omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids (from fish oils), and evening primrose oil, with vitamin E can be used with medicine prescribed by the doctor. The combination is most beneficial. Refined sugar must not be taken as it contributes to increased inflammatory action for Crohn’s disease sufferers. Hypoallergenic, low residue elemental diet is recommended. This reduces the load on the colon and vascular system in the gastrointestinal tract.
The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil have anti-inflammatory effects. This is so for vitamin E which also reduces the viscosity of the blood. This vitamin improves blood flow and oxygen supply to the area, helping to prevent infarction of the colon. The vitamin E inhibits lukotriene formulation and reduces free radical damage because of its antioxidant properties.
Slippery elm, indicated for conditions of inflammation and ulceration as well as colitis, contains mucilage which is soothing to the gastrointestinal tract. Slippery elm is valuable when it is used with fish oil and evening primrose oil for the acute stage of Crohn’s disease.
SUPPLEMENTS
vitamin E 1 capsule 3 times a day
slippery elm 600 mg 3 times a day
marshmallow root 500 mg 3 times a day
Lactobacillus 2.5 billion bacilli once a day
acidophilus
multivitamin mineral 1 tablet a day
*63/26/8*
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