What is Crohn's disease & how can you ease the symptoms?

Chron’s is an autoimmune condition characterised by inflammation in any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus most commonly affecting the ileum and first portion of the large intestine. It usually starts between the age of 13- 30 yrs old and carries the risk of many nutrient deficiencies such as iron, folate, zinc, magnesium, B12, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin C. If remaining undiagnosed and without appropriate treatment Chron’s can lead to chronic malnutrition and other health complications. 

 

• Abdominal pain and tenderness, 
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea with or without mucus or blood, 
• Urgency to defecate 
• Tiredness 
• Anaemia
• Fever 
• Malnutrition
• Delayed or impaired growth in children
• Joint pain 
• Skin & eye problems 
• Mouth ulcers
• Liver inflammation 
• Osteoporosis 

This is unknown. Known risk factors however include:

1. Having a Genetic predisposition which can lead to an abnormally regulated immune system
2. Environmental factors – having your gut exposed to bacteria/toxins/moulds from diet and environment, infections, smoking, NSAIDS and antibiotics
3. Having a dysregulated immune response in your gastrointestinal tract and imbalanced microbiota which can lead to inflammation.

What the body tries to do when these factors are present is protect itself through inflammation and ulcers. However, if the immune systems can’t shut down, ulcers and inflammation remain which require medical and dietetic intervention to avoid complications such as abscess, fistulas, strictures and chronic malnutrition. 

This usually entails an endoscopy procedure performed by a gastroenterologist assessing the entirety of you gut from mouth to anus along side relevant blood tests.

The general treatment when in an acute phase includes taking steroids such as Prednisolone, antibiotics and immunosuppressants. You will often find that your specialist will keep on an immune suppressant medication for the longer term to ensure remission. These medications while helpful if acute carry many long-term unfavourable side effects and they don’t address the root cause.  

One of the things I constantly remind my clients of is that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself. As such, it is important to work on a lifestyle and dietary approach to help you naturally heal your gut and get your health back. And yes, it is possible to stay in remission for life without medication once you understand what your body needs and most importantly listen and action the messages you receive.

As a fellow sufferer of gut issues and a previous diagnosis of Lupus (another autoimmune condition) I intimately understand how awful it feels to be unwell and unable to live a free life. Over the years I have learnt however to listen to my body and take action in real time and now enjoy a symptom free life.  

Initially you will need to avoid certain foods, toxins and chemicals, take certain supplements and digestive enzymes to allow for gut healing and to reduce immune reactivity and inflammation. 

These often include gluten, dairy, soy, corn, sugar, any chemicals added to processed and packed foods, alcohol, coffee, spicy foods, pepper, fermented foods, vegetable oils and processed meats. Other foods/drinks may need exclusion pending your symptoms. Further selecting quality food is key, therefore I would strongly recommend you move to all organic foods and as well as health care products. 

As you are at risk of multiple nutrient deficiencies you will likely require long term supplementation and your integrative dietitian will be able to recommend which specific products you need based on your current presentation. Please don’t take random supplements of the shelf as you often get what you pay for and many ingredients in some of these cheaper versions can be detrimental. 

Most importantly ensure you work with an integrative dietitian who can create a personalised diet and lifestyle strategy to ensure remission and good health for life. This condition is a not a quick fix and for remission you need to be consistent and committed for the long term.