Your digestive system is comprised of many components that face looming medical threats, such as the chronic condition called Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the disease. With treatment, the condition is manageable for many people and they are able to function on a normal basis. However, with home remedies for Crohn’s, you can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of the condition.
crohns disease Home Remedies for Crohns Disease
What is Crohn’s Disease?
Usually affecting the intestines, Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can take place from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus). The condition causes the lining of the digestive tract to inflame. As a result, a patient suffers abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and in some cases, malnutrition. Different people will experience the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in varying parts of their digestive tract.
A patient may be diagnosed with one of five different types of Crohn’s disease. The most common form is called ileocolitis, which affects the lowest part of the small intestine (called the ileum) and the large intestine (colon). leitis specifically affects the ileum. If you have gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease, your stomach and the first part of the small intestine (called the duodenum) becomes inflamed. Jejunoileitis causes spotty patches of inflammation to develop on the top half of the small intestine (jejunum). Only the large intestine suffers when you have Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis.
The disease can strike a patient at any age, but the condition is mostly seen in people between the ages of 15 and 35. You are also at a higher risk for the disease if you are of Jewish ancestry, smoke tobacco products, or have a family history of Crohn’s disease.
Causes and Symptoms
The development of Crohn’s disease is linked to an individual’s genes, as well as environmental factors. Sometimes, symptoms come when the body is “overreacting” to normal bacteria in the intestines. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation that spreads to the deep layers of affected bowel tissue. The condition is often debilitating and painful. Some people battle life-threatening complications.
Symptoms depend on what part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of flare-ups. The main symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- Diarrhea – persistent and watery
Other symptoms that a patient may experience includes constipation, inflamed eyes, fistulas around the rectal region, joint pain, liver inflammation, mouth ulcers, rectal bleeding (and bloody stools), skin rash, and swollen gums.
Crohn’s Disease Home Remedies
Crohn’s disease affects two to seven out 100,000 people – many of which share similar factors. Patients tend to smoke cigarettes, live in an industrialized country, eat a diet high in sugar and saturated fat, skimp on fruit and vegetables, and have a family history of inflammatory bowel disease. To ease the symptoms of the condition, the following home remedies for Crohn’s disease can help:
Brown Rice:
With dinner, eat one cup of brown rice, which offers the body fiber without the binding effects.
Ginger:
A ginger compress applied to the stomach at least two times per week can help treat Crohn’s disease symptoms. Grate ginger root and transfer into a small burlap pouch. Steep the pouch into a pot of boiling water to create a tincture. When the remedy is ready, soak a washcloth in the pot of ginger water. With rubber gloves on your hands, wring out the excess liquid into the pot, and gently place the hot cloth on your stomach. Allow it to sit on the skin until it cools. Repeat this process three times.
Peppermint Tea:
One hour before going to bed, drink one cup of peppermint tea. This kind of tea helps ease your bowels and allows your body to digest food and supplements better while you are sleeping.
Small Portions:
Eating small portions of food throughout the day is better for a Crohn’s disease patient rather than dining on large meals.
Bring On the Water:
Drinking lots of water can keep your system operating smoothly.
Avoid Fiber-rich Foods:
Foods with a great deal of fiber can irritate your digestive system, such as nuts, seeds, beans, bran, and even popcorn.
Pass on Fatty Foods:
Fatty, greasy or fried foods can worsen your Crohn’s disease symptoms. You should also say ‘no’ to thick sauces that contain margarine, heavy cream and butter.
Limit Alcohol and Coffee:
It is suggested to limit or completely avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine products.
Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables with Caution:
Eating raw fruits and vegetables can cause blocked intestines to worsen.
Antioxidant-rich Foods:
Choose foods packed with antioxidants (especially fruits and vegetables) to enhance your overall health, such blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell peppers,
Vitamins and Supplements:
Since Crohn’s disease can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients, it is important to make sure you increase your intake of vitamin-rich foods and take supplements when possible.
Quit Smoking:
Since smoking increases your risk of developing Crohn’s disease and worsens your condition, it is highly suggested to quit the habit so that you suffer fewer flare ups of symptoms.
Bottled Water:
Some patients will see a change in their Crohn’s disease symptoms by switching from tap water to bottled water to avoid the chlorine that comes out of the faucet. For some, even a small amount can cause a flare up in symptoms.
Vitamin C:
Take 1000 mg of vitamin C three times daily to improve the immune system. Also, increase your intake of foods that contain the vitamin when preparing your meals.
Zinc:
Taking 25 milligrams of zinc can help repair cells in the intestine. Foods that offer the mineral include dark chocolate, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and low fat roast beef.
Vitamin D:
Consider taking 1,000 IU per day to avoid the risk of osteoporosis, which affects Crohn’s patients who have low levels of vitamin D in their system – a common complaint of those who take corticosteroids for treatment.
Flaxseed Oil:
Taking a serving of flaxseed oil three times daily can help repair the digestive tract, which is quite beneficial for a patient with Crohn’s disease.
Moist Heat:
Close the doors to your bathroom and run a hot bath to create a steamy environment that helps relax your body, as well as opens your pores to release toxins from your skin.
Broccoli:
Studies have revealed that that broccoli is helpful in stopping or slowing the development of Crohn’s disease.
Vitamin K:
Known to support colon health, add foods with vitamin K to your diet, such as dark leafy vegetables, scallions, broccoli and cabbage.
Papaya:
Adding papaya to your diet can help fight the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. The fruit is packed with antioxidants and a great deal of vitamins B and C. Chew on a couple papaya seeds on a daily basis to promote healthier digestion.
Get Moving:
Exercise is a great way to lessen the stress of the disease, relieve depression, and encourage normal bowel functions.
Breathing Techniques:
Since stress can affect your Crohn’s disease, it is suggested to embrace breathing techniques to calm down your body.
Relax:
Find ways to relax when Crohn’s disease symptoms have you stressed. Try reading a favorite book, listening to music, meditating or engaging in yoga poses.
Garlic:
The free radicals associated with Crohn’s disease are known to respond to the natural antibiotic properties of garlic. Take two capsules with meals up to three times daily to see the best results. You may also add garlic to your dishes when cooking to encourage the healing of your intestines.
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