Homeopathic treatment
Before delving into homeopathic treatment let us first discuss the conventional or allopathic treatment available.
Conventional / allopathic treatment of crohn’s disease consists of giving combination
of large number of drugs which have severe side effects that are worse than the
disease.
The various medicines prescribed and their side effects are:
Steroid medicines
Steroid medicines are employed to reduce inflammation like prednisone; prednisolone,
hydrocortisone, and methylprednisolone are the most common corticosteroids. These
drugs are administered orally, intravenously by injection, by enema, or by suppository.
Side effects are:
- Increased rate of infection or decreased immunity
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Hypertension
- Accelerated osteoporosis
- Diabetes (type 2)
- Cataracts or glaucoma
- Menstruation irregularities
- A whole slew of emotional disorders: irritability, insomnia, psychosis, and depression
5-ASA compounds
A number of medications used to treat crohn’s disease have as their active ingredient
5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). These include sulfasalazine (trade name Azulfadine),
a compound that has been used for more than half a century. Side effects are:
Immunosuppressive drugs (immunomodulator)
The most common examples of immunosuppressive drugs are azathioprine (AZA), Imuran,
6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) (Purinethol). Side effects are:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Rash
- Malaise
- Liver inflammation
- Immune system suppressors also are associated with a small risk of cancer development
Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNF) modifiers
Infliximab (Remicade) is an antibody or biologic response modifier that interferes
with the body’s inflammatory response. These drugs target the inflammatory immune
factor of a molecule called tumor necrosis factor or TNF. Side effects to hate are:
- Nausea, fever, dizziness, chills
- Headaches
- Rash
- Hives
- Low blood pressure
- Labored breathing
- Pruritus (sensation of itching)
- There may be an increase risk of lymphoma or cancer of the lymph glands. Studies
are currently being conducted to determine the link between taking infliximab and
lymphoma.
Surgery
Crohn's disease cannot be cured by surgery, though it is used when partial or a
full blockage of the intestine occurs. Surgery may also be required for complications
such as obstructions, fistulas and / or abscesses, or if the disease does not respond
to drugs. After the first surgery, it usually shows up at the site of the resection
though it can appear in other locations. After a resection, scar tissue builds up
which can cause strictures. In contrast homeopathy has good scope especially in
the early stages of the condition. The goals in treating are to eliminate symptoms,
prevent flare-ups (maintain long-term remission) and restore the quality of life.
Research shows that it offers effective treatment for crohn’s disease which has
been scientifically documented. It is very safe and can be combined with the conventional
treatment / allopathic treatment if required.
The quality of life is greatly reduced by this disease as the pleasurable moments
of life can become anxiety filled because the patient needs to learn ahead of time
where the bathrooms are located, or the fear of not reaching on time. Because they
have special needs, people with crohn's disease can start thinking of themselves
as outcasts. The solution to their problems is homeopathic treatment.
How homeopathy helps
- The treatment for crohn’s disease is based on the concept of immuno-correction.
While choosing the medicine the cause of various symptoms like bloody stools, persistent
diarrhea, crampy pain in abdomen and so on are evaluated such as dietary errors,
faulty feeding habits, and mental stress and so on. Proper prescription makes the
immune system work more efficiently. Homeopathic constitutional treatment will reinforce
the immune system which is vital in the body's defense against certain bacteria and
fungi, assisting in making antibodies, and facilitating in the recognition and rejection
of foreign tissues.
- The medicines work as powerful anti-inflammatory medicines which will help in reducing
the frequency of stools, the urging and discomfort associated with the condition,
the passage of mucus and blood in the stools, and so on. This way the treatment
will help the patients gradually reduce the various steroidal and immunosuppressive
drugs which they have been taking for a long time.
- The medicines also help in slowing down the progress of the disease and the development
of complications. The treatment can help in inducing the periods which are symptom
free and can also assist in improving the immunity so that the patient does not
face frequent relapses. Medicines also improve mental and physical stress taking
abilities, and alter the hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- At a later stage of the disease when structural changes have taken place in the
body, homeopathy has a palliative role to play in this disease reducing the need
for steroids and other immunosuppressive medications.
- The remedies soothe and recover the digestive functions allowing improved absorption
and assimilation of nutrients from food. The nutritional status of the patient also
improves with regular treatment.
- Homeopathy can also help to prevent the need for surgery, if the treatment is opted
for at the right time.
- The medicines are non-habit forming and have no addictive characteristics.
There are 65 medicines which give great relief. However, the correct choice and
the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of
the physician. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient.
Thus remedies of crohn's disease are designer made unlike allopathy in which all
patients receive the same surgery or drugs although trade name may be different.
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What is Crohn's disease
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive
tract. It can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it
most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum.
It is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called
ulcerative colitis. Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD).
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic conditions that can last years
to decades. They affect approximately 500,000 to 2 million people in the United
States of America. The main difference between UC and CD is the area of the digestive
tract they affect - Crohn's can occur along the entire digestive tract and spread
deep into the bowel wall. In contrast, UC usually only affects the top layer of
the large intestine.
It affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent
of people have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most
often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child.
Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed
in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased
risk, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn’s disease.
Causes
No one knows what causes crohn’s disease. The theories suggest various intrinsic
and extrinsic factors are responsible.
Intrinsic or internal factors include
- Hereditary factors / genetic factors : It is seen that if there is immediate family
member having crohn’s disease, then your chances of having the disease increases.
- Faulty immune system : It is believed that it is responsible for the inflammation
of the GI tract. The disturbance is thought to be either of two :
- Allergy : Studies suggest that crohn’s disease is a form of increased allergic
response to certain food or to the presence of some microorganisms in the GI tract.
- Autoimmunity : Most recent research indicate that crohn’s disease can be a
form of autoimmune disease in which body’s defense system starts attacking
body’s own organs and tissues.
Extrinsic or external factors / triggering factors include
- Diet : Certain foods items are known to trigger crohn’s disease like junk
food, dairy products and so on.
- Infection : Studies suggest that certain bacterial and viral infections like mycobacterium
are known to trigger crohn's diseases or CD.
- Drugs : Recent research shows that certain drugs like antibiotics, aspirin, contraceptive
pills, NSAID’s are known to flare up crohn's disease or CD.
- Stress : Recent studies have accepted the fact that any kind of emotional stress
has definite detrimental effect on the immune system and hence can be the root cause
of chronic disease like crohn’s disease.
How does Crohn's disease affects the intestines
In the early stages, Crohn's disease causes small, scattered, shallow, crater-like
areas (erosions) on the inner surface of the bowel. These erosions are called aphthous
ulcers. With time, the erosions become deeper and larger, ultimately becoming true
ulcers (which are deeper than erosions) and causing scarring and stiffness of the
bowel.
As the disease progresses, the bowel becomes increasingly narrowed, and ultimately
can become obstructed. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the wall of the bowel,
and bacteria from within the bowel can spread to infect adjacent organs and the
surrounding abdominal cavity.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and
diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may
also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children
may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms
varies.
The location of the disease decides the symptoms of disease. The different subtypes
of Crohn's disease and their symptoms are:
- Crohn's colitis is inflammation that is confined to the colon. Abdominal pain and
bloody diarrhea are the common symptoms. Anal fistula and peri-rectal abscesses
also can occur.
- Crohn's enteritis refers to inflammation confined to the small intestine (the first
part, called the jejunum or the second part, called the ileum). Involvement of the
ileum alone is referred to as Crohn's ileitis. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are the
common symptoms. Obstruction of the small intestine also can occur.
- Crohn's terminal ileitis is inflammation that affects only the very end of the small
intestine (terminal ileum), the part of the small intestine closest to the colon.
Abdominal pain and diarrhea are the common symptoms. Small intestinal obstruction
also can occur.
- Crohn's entero-colitis and ileo-colitis are terms to describe inflammation that
involves both the small intestine and the colon. Bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain
are the common symptoms. Small intestinal obstruction also can occur.
Complications
Intestinal complications
- Bowel obstruction: Crohn's disease affects the entire thickness of the intestinal
wall. Over time, parts of the bowel can thicken and narrow, which may block the
flow of digestive contents through the affected part of your intestine.
- Ulcers: Chronic inflammation can lead to open sores (ulcers) anywhere in your digestive
tract, including your mouth and anus, and in the genital area (perineum) and anus.
- Fistulas: Sometimes ulcers can extend completely through the intestinal wall, creating
a fistula — an abnormal connection between different parts of your intestine, between
your intestine and skin, or between your intestine and another organ, such as the
bladder or vagina. When internal fistulas develop, food may bypass areas of the
bowel that are necessary for absorption. An external fistula can cause continuous
drainage of bowel contents to your skin, and in some cases, a fistula may become
infected and form an abscess, a problem that can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Anal fissure: This is a crack, or cleft, in the anus or in the skin around the anus
where infections can occur. It's often associated with painful bowel movements.
- Malnutrition: Diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping may make it difficult for you
to eat or for your intestine to absorb enough nutrients to keep you nourished. Additionally,
anemia is common in people with Crohn's disease.
Crohn’s Disease and Cancer
People who have had Crohn’s disease for several years are at increased risk of developing
cancer in the inflamed part of their bowel. Screening for colon cancer may be beneficial
in this group.
Extra-intestinal complications
When Crohn's disease causes a flare-up of gastrointestinal symptoms, the person
may also experience inflammation of the joints (arthritis), inflammation of the
whites of the eyes (episcleritis), mouth sores (aphthous stomatitis), inflamed skin
nodules on the arms and legs (erythema nodosum), and blue-red skin sores containing
pus (pyoderma gangrenosum). Even when Crohn's disease is not causing a flare-up
of gastrointestinal symptoms, the person still may experience pyoderma gangrenosum,
while inflammation of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis), inflammation of the pelvic
joints (sacroiliitis), inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), or inflammation of
the bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis) are liable to occur entirely without
relation to the clinical activity of the bowel disease.
Diagnosis
The doctor will take a history and perform a thorough physical examination. Slow
growth may be a key feature in making a diagnosis, particularly of Crohn's disease,
in children.
Several laboratory tests may be performed :
- Blood tests are used for various purposes. An increased number of white blood cells
may indicate the presence of inflammation. Blood tests are used to determine the
presence of anemia and to measure liver enzymes. (They are abnormal in about 3%
of ulcerative colitis patients.) New blood tests that measure certain antibodies
may make it easier to differentiate Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis in children.
- A stool sample is taken and examined for blood, infectious organisms, or both.
- Standard Endoscopic Procedures : Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are procedures
that involve snaking a fiberoptic tube called an endoscope through the rectum to
view the lining of the colon. The doctor can also insert instruments through it
to remove tissue samples.
Dietary changes
Diets advised : It is important to self-manage crohn’s disease with healthy lifestyle
habits and a nutrient-rich diet. Paying attention to your nutrition is especially
important with GI diseases because the symptoms of diarrhea and bleeding can lead
to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and loss of essential nutrients. That can
lead to a host of problems such as fatigue, weakness, and anemia.
The food items advised for the patients : Eating should be based on a well-balanced
diet that is high in protein, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and good fats.
Such a diet will provide you with energy and keep you well. Your diet may include
meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products (if you don't have lactose intolerance);
breads and cereals; fruits and vegetables; and margarine and oils. Eat small meals
and drink plenty of fluids.
If you are a vegetarian, dairy products and plant proteins such as soy products
can provide the nutritional elements found in meat, fish, and poultry.
Food items to be avoided : Learning to avoid food triggers may give you better control
of your disease and allow you greater freedom to enjoy an active life. Despite the
fact there is no scientific proof, many people have found that one or more of the
following foods can trigger their GI symptoms:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Carbonated beverages
- Dairy products, if lactose intolerant
- Dried beans, peas, and legumes
- Dried fruits, berries, fruits with pulp or seeds
- Foods containing sulfur or sulfate
- Foods high in fiber, including whole-grain products
- Hot sauce, pepper
- Meats
- Nuts, crunchy nut butters
- Popcorn
- Products containing sorbitol (sugar-free gum and candies)
- Raw vegetables
- Refined sugar
- Seeds
- Spicy foods, sauces