How To Manage Crohn's Disease and Colitis

Although a cure has not been discovered for Crohn's Disease and Colitis, patients can manage their condition. Sometimes doctors suggest surgery but it is often possible to control the unpleasant symptoms and side effects. Of course, individuals should always check with their doctor before making any drastic changes.

How To Manage Crohn's Disease and Colitis

. Understand Your Condition

Nobody can improve their condition if they do not even understand it. Indeed, it can be quite alarming if you do not know the facts. Many people have the perception that Crohn's Disease and Colitis are the same disease.

Although both conditions are related, there are distinct differences. Crohn's disease (CD) may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is usually an inflammation of the large intestine (the colon).

Since there is no medical cure, some people think mistakenly that the conditions must be fatal diseases. In fact, Crohn's Disease and Colitis sufferers live a normal life span (men, 78 years, women, 79 years). Get the facts from your doctor and other reputable sources (books, documentaries, online). A second doctor's opinion can give a patient that extra peace of mind.

. Acknowledge The Symptoms And Side Effects

Individuals must try to manage the symptoms and side effects. Crohn's Disease and Colitis is not a death sentence. A patient's mission must be to discover safe and healthy methods that work for them. They need to find how to reduce or even eliminate any unpleasantness.

. Consider A Raw Food Diet

Individuals should never make any drastic changes to their diet without consulting their doctor. Yet many researchers insist that the Western diet is bad for Crohn's Disease and Colitis sufferers. The Western diet is full of fats, processed foods, and sugars and researchers believe that a raw food diet using organic produce is a much better choice.

Once a person is given the 'ok' by their doctor, the patient can implement the diet slowly and allow the body time to adjust to its new fuel. Numerous studies and examples have shown that a raw food diet can eliminate all the uncomfortable symptoms. Of course, the improvement will be gradual and nobody should ever expect an 'overnight' cure.

. Get Informed About Water Fasts

Some sufferers have found that the combination of a water fast and daily raw food diet have eliminated their symptoms. Although nobody should embark on a Crohn's/Colitis water fast without checking with a trained professional, this approach is an option. Many testimonials praise its effectiveness. Everyone is, however, in charge of their own health and, ultimately, must make their own decisions in these matters.

. Keep Up-To-Date

There is continuous research being done about Crohn's Disease and Colitis. Individuals affected by those conditions should keep up to date on all the latest developments in the field. One recent study explores the effectiveness of Vitamin A in the treatment of Crohn's Disease and Colitis.