What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder of the intestines where the gastrointestinal tract gets inflammed and weak. While crohn's disease generally strikes at the end of the small intestine (ileum) or the large intestine (colon), it can occur anywhere in the intestinal tract from mouth to anus. Ulcers form on the inner intestinal lining and eventually spread through the intestinal wall.

Who can get affected by Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is generally diagnosed in people in their 20s and 30s. However it can occur in infants and children as well. Women are more likely to get it. It is rare in people of Asian or African descent.

What are the symptoms of Crohn's Disease?

• Severe abdominal pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Cramps or pain after eating especially in the lower right side of the abdomen.
• Chronic low grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• weight loss
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Arthritis with the above symptoms
• In young children crohn's disease can show any of the above symptoms in addition to failure to grow at a normal rate

Crohn's disease is also associated with certain disorders affecting other parts of the body such as kidney stones, gallstones, joint pain, skin eruptions, inadequate absorption of nutrients, inflamed skin nodules and inflammation of the whites of the eyes. People who have had crohn's disease for 20 or more years are at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

What causes Crohn's disease?

It is not known what exactly causes Crohn's disease, however it may be an autoimmune disorder. It has been speculated as to whether a virus or food additives can cause it but not much evidence supports this.

What are some natural ways to prevent and treat Crohn's disease?

• Drink the juice squeezed from green leafy vegetables such as cabbage
• Drink broth made from seaweeds such as kelp
• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseed oil are also helpful.
• Powdered psyllium in cold water followed by another glass of water will help to give stools more bulk
• It has been shown that Boswellia helps reduce the immune cells that promote inflammation while increasing the number of immune cells that inhibit inflammation.

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Herbal remedies for Crohn's Disease

Triphala
For improving digestive tract health

Boswellia
Helps to soothe digestive tract & reduce swelling

Ashwagandha
Relaxes & relieves digestive tract