Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where our own immune system attacks and causes lesions (ulcers) in the digestive tract. People with Crohn’s can experience diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue. Other symptoms, including skin rashes, anemia, oral ulcers, and the development of additional autoimmune conditions often also occur.

Crohn’s disease is diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy of the intestinal lining to determine the depth and type of ulceration in the bowel wall. Fecal calprotectin testing is also available to assess and monitor the extent of inflammation in the bowel. This stool test is best used to assess the severity of inflammation in the lower/distal bowel.

WHY DOES CROHN’S DISEASE OCCUR?

The cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t completely understood. People with Crohn’s disease have a genetic predisposition, and their gut lining may have become initially irritated by stress, inflammatory foods, some medications, or can be triggered by a viral infection.

All autoimmune disease processes occur when the body’s immune system becomes skewed, and our immune system starts attacking our own body. In Crohn’s disease, the immune system is skewed toward Th1 (instead of Th2), there is an increased number of pro-inflammatory mediators, called cytokines, in the digestive tract.  It is this inflammation and immune system imbalance that is targeted with treatment.

HOW IS CROHN’S DISEASE TREATED?

Your Naturopathic Doctor will work to reduce the immune system’s hyper-activity, reduce inflammation, and re-balance Th1 and Th2. This is done with diet, lifestyle work, supplements, and herbs. In addition, your Naturopathic Doctor will use herbs and supplements to stop acute flare-ups, pain, and bleeding. Treatment can be initiated while you’re taking medications prescribed by your MD, or as an alternative therapy. Once your symptoms and immune system are under control, your ND will develop a long term diet plan that is safe for preventing flare-ups, as well as give you a plan to replenish the nutrients that you lost or weren’t absorbed during your flares.