Crohn's+Dis-ease

An inflammatory and ulcerative dis-ease affecting the whole digestive tract, particularly the ileum or the terminal portion of the small intestine.

=Symptoms= -Rectal bleeding -weight loss due to malabsorption -abdominal pain w/ chronic diarrhea and cramps -fatigue

other potential symptoms: -Blood in stool from inflammation -iron deficiency anemia caused by hemorrhaging or malabsorption -Thick mucous in the stool (consistency of egg whites) -High or low fever 39-40 degrees C in serious cases -Joint pain

=Causes= exact causes unknown, increasing evidence that the inflammation is autoimmune in nature. May be triggered by viruses or bacteria in the digestive system. (see digestive permeability) Lifestyle may play a role. Genetic involvement seems unlikely in most cases.

=Risk Factors= -Smoking -Pollution -Dietary factors: diet high insugar, refined foods and unhealthy fats and low in fruits and vegetables. Also food allergies. -Stress and Anxiety

=Solutions= Eliminate: Food allergies, or anything that causes an intolerance. 7 most common allergens are milk products, wheat, soy, eggs, corn, yeast and nuts. 2 most common causes of food intolerance are lactose and gluten. A food diary must be kept for at least 7 days and all reactions likely caused by food ingestions must be recorded

Supplements: -DGL (deglycyrrhiinated licorice) -German Camomile -Boswellia (300-400mg of resin extract, 37.5% boswellic acids, in capsules or tablets 3 times a day) -Omega-3 fish oils -Homeopathy: colocynthis, glutin, milks (lac defloratum, lac vaccinum), veratrum album, chamomilla, hura brasiliensis, ficus, aloe -NAG (N-acetyl-glyclosamine)