Discover A Crohns Disease Natural Treatment

Reducing inflammation is the goal of Crohns disease natural treatment options, as well as prescription medications, typically used to treat Crohns. The cause of the disease is unclear, but it is known that natural healing for Crohns disease and general relief of symptoms can only occur when inflammation is reduced.

Inflammation has recently been linked to a wide variety of illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. Doctors have known for many years that Crohns is basically inflammation of the bowel. The reason for the inflammation has been and currently is being studied by researchers. There is some evidence that bacterial infection is the culprit.

Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection or injury, but when no infection or injury can be found, the reason for the inflammation is unclear. Researchers believe that, in the case of Crohns, the immune system may be reacting to bacteria that normally lives in the digestive tract. Other theories exist, but regardless of the root cause of the disease, reducing inflammation is the key to relieving symptoms.

Many people are interested in an alternative to prescription drugs or a Crohns disease natural treatment plan. People seek alternatives or natural healing for crohns disease, because conventional treatment is lacking.

The best known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen are ineffective in relieving the symptoms of the disease and actually cause flare-ups in many people.

Aminosalicylates, a different type of anti-inflammatory drug, are effective in only about one third of Crohns cases and cause unwanted side effects. Corticosteroids may be effective for short term relief of symptoms, but become ineffective over time and can lead to steroid dependency, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. When none of these anti-inflammatory prescription medications are effective, doctors prescribe immune system suppressing drugs, which can cause complications and decrease a patient's resistance to other diseases and infections.

A complete Crohns disease natural treatment plan usually includes some dietary changes, such as identifying and eliminating foods that cause flare-ups. Regular moderate exercise is often recommended for its natural pain relieving effects. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics (yogurt) may be helpful, but not when diarrhea is present. Including dietary fiber is important, but may require some experimentation to find the right amount. Focusing on nutrition is important, because chronic diarrhea can prevent the body from absorbing essential nutrients from foods; a daily multi-vitamin is a good idea.

Natural healing for Crohns disease may be found by increasing plant foods that have anti-inflammatory effects. Some researchers believe that natural anti-inflammatories may be more effective and have fewer side effects than synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs. Of the known natural anti-inflammatories, the most powerful are components of the mangosteen fruit. The rind was used in traditional Asian medicine to relieve pain and swelling, to reduce diarrhea and to treat infections. A modern puree of the fruit and rind is sold worldwide as a health supplement.

Including mangosteen supplements in a Crohns disease natural treatment plan may reduce pain, inflammation and diarrhea. Scientific research has shown that the anti-inflammatory in the mangosteen is COX-2 inhibiting, but does not inhibit the production of COX-1 enzymes. COX-2 enzymes cause pain and inflammation. COX-1 enzymes protect and maintain the gastro-intestinal tract. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, causing the stomach upset and other side effects associated with them. Researchers may eventually find a cure, but currently natural healing for Crohns disease may be the best alternative.