Crohn's Disease
Description
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which may affect any part of the digestive tract but usually the junction of the small and large intestines. It usually involves the last part of the small intestine (ileum). The intestinal wall thickens and ulcers may form. The damaged portion may be surgically removed. (Unfortunately, the recurrence rate is high.)
It tends to involve multiple sections but they are non-contiguous.
Ulcerative colitis, properly, is confined to chronic inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the descending colon and rectum.
Causes
It may represent an allergic reaction, including infectious agents. Some patients find that certain foods exacerbate their symptoms.
Some 2 million Americans suffer from this condition.
Signs & Symptoms
Crohn's disease is easily confused with ulcerative colitis but classically involves the distal ileum, or right colon, rather than the left (rectum).
There is no blood in the stool.
Crohn's disease is characterized by: abdominal pain, chills, fever, frequent diarrhea, nausea, weakness and weight loss.
Children may suffer growth retardation.
It may contribute to anemia and arthritis. Patients with Crohn’s disease also have a high prevalence of gallstones.
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Intestinal Health &
Detoxification
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Calcium* | 200 - 600 mg |
| Fish oil* | 4 - 10 gm |
| Folic acid* | 400 - 1,000 mcg |
| Iron* | 10 - 20 mg |
| Magnesium* | 400 - 800 mg |
| Pantothenic acid* | 5 mg |
| Vitamin A* | 10,000 iu |
| Vitamin E* | 200 - 400 iu |
| Vitamin K* | 200 - 600 iu |
| Zinc* | 10 - 20 mg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note:
All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Since the early 1970s there has been considerable debate over the role of nutritional support in the treatment of patients with acute inflammatory bowel disease. Therapies can, therefore, be rather novel and contradictory: it is fairly standard to recommend a high vitamin, low fiber diet; another protocol involves high fiber but low sugar.
Even when an elemental diet is incorporated, one study suggests that the beneficial action is not due to an improvement in nutritional status. In another study, a whole protein containing diet proved less effective than one in which food antigens were excluded, suggesting food antigens as the central mechanism.
Overall, it seems safe to anticipate that a combination of factors contributes to the efficacy of nutritional protocols: decreased antigenic exposure, improved immune function, and provision of essential nutrients and calories needed for bowel regeneration.
Nutritional support has been primarily used pre- and post-operation and as an adjunct to drug therapy (corticosteroids and antiobitoics). Conflicting results have been reported in the literature, whereby both corticosteroids are more effective and elemental diet is as effective as corticosteroid treatment but most patients relapse soon after resumption of a normal diet.
Emphasis, then, needs to be in long-term remission.
Recent studies in adults, with some confirmation for the same benefit in children, have shown that polymeric (whole protein) diets are as effective as semi-elemental and elemental formulae for the induction of remission in small bowel Crohn's disease. Whole protein diets are more palatable and cheaper. Other forms of protein have also been used successfully, including: hydrolysed protein and amino acids.
Noted deficiencies include: essential fatty acids, vitamin D and selenium.
Recommended vitamins have included: folic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin K.
Recommended minerals have included: calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
From the outset, it is important to rule out food sensitivities. Food sensitivities tend to follow familiar paths, including: milk, wheat and soy. Nuts, raw fruit and tomatoes have also been implicated so it is dangerous to generalize. Patterns also vary according to whether patients have an ileostomy, or not.
At a basic level, it seems prudent to exclude foods which disagree with a patient, however, some authorities dismiss food sensitivities as being too variable, often do not persist, and not worth putting the patients through, with possible individual exceptions.
One study from Peru reports a related technique, whereby the bowel is cleansed: the standard method of liquid diet and enemas, or with the oral administration of saline solution 9% for optimal results.
One popular hypothesis remains that: macromolecular absorption of food and microbial antigens (which is enhanced in the intestine under pathological conditions) is the cause of Crohn’s and other pathological diseases of the bowel.
Homeopathic Remedy
The emphasis is on detoxification and major symptoms like diarrhea.
Arsenicum Album
Chamomilla tinct.
Ipecacuanha
Nux vomica
Podophyllum (pancreatic involvement)
Treatment Schedule
Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies may be single strength (of fairly weak potency e.g. 6X) or a blend of several weaker strengths (6X, 8X, 10X).
This may comprise a single remedy, or several remedies.
Doses are administered on a 3 times daily (tid), between meals,schedule and continued for 3 days.
Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose.
Solid preparations are usually 2 or 3 pellets per dose.
Children use 1/2 dose i.e. 1 pellet.
If there is aggravation of the symptoms, stop taking the remedy and consult a homeopath.
References
Murphy, R. : Homeopathic Medical Repertory. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1993.
Murphy, R. : Lotus Materia Medica. Hahneman Academy, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 1995.
Pert, J.C.: Homeopathy for the Family. The Homoeopathic Development Foundation, London. 1985 edition.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Aloe vera
Echinacea
Goldenseal
Marshmallow
Slippery Elm
Wild Indigo
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Caffeic acid esters, present in bee propolis of honey bee hives, are potent inhibitors of human colon tumor cell growth, suggesting that these compounds may possess antitumor activity against colon carcinogenesis.
Other herbs, containing irritants, may exacerbate GI symptoms. (After Newall)
| Herb | Effects |
| Alfalfa | Irritant, canavanine in seeds |
| Arnica | Irritant to mucous membranes |
| Asafetida | Irritant gum, |
| Blue Cohosh, | Irritant to mucous membranes; |
| spasmogenic in vitro | |
| Blue Flag | Irritant gum and oil |
| Bogbean (Buck Bean) | Irritant to GI tract |
| Boldo | Irritant oil |
| Buchu | Irritant oil |
| Capsicum | Capsaicinoids, mucosal irritants |
| Cassia (see Cinnamon) | |
| Cinnamon | Irritant to mucous membranes, oil |
| Cowslip | Irritant saponins |
| Drosera (Sundew) | Plumbagin. irritant |
| Eucalyptus | Irritant Oil |
| False Unicorn Root | Large doses may cause vomiting |
| Figwort | Purgative effect |
| Garlic Plant | Raw clove |
| Ground Ivy | Irritant oil |
| Guaiacum | Avoid if inflammatory condition |
| Horse chestnut | Saponins, contra-indicated in renal disease |
| Horse radish | Irritant oil |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangin, possible gastro-enteritis |
| Jamaican Dogwood | Irritant to humans |
| Juniper | Irritant oil |
| Lemon Verbena | Irritant oil |
| Lime Flower | Irritant to kidney |
| Nettle | Tea irritant to stomach |
| Parlsey Plant | Irritant oil |
| Pennyroyal | Toxic & irritant oil |
| Pilewort | Irritant sap |
| Pleurisy Root | GI irritant |
| Pokeroot | Saponins |
| Pulsatilla | Irritant to mucous membranes |
| Queen's Delight | Diterpenes |
| Sarsaparilla | Saponins |
| Senega | Saponins |
| Skunk Cabbage | Inflammatory & blistering to skin |
| Squill | Saponins |
References:
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
Colitis:
Related Health Conditions
Cancer
Gallstones
Hemorrhoids
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable colon syndrome
Parasitism
Spastic colon
Worms
Irritable bowel syndrome, Irritable colon syndrome and Spastic colon are synonymous terms.
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