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Eye disorders!!

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Skin ulcers and lesions

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Anal fissures (linear ulcers on the margin of the anus) or fistulas (abnormal tube-like passages from the rectum to the surface of the anus)

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Loss of appetite and feeling of fullness of stomach

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Canker sores (Mouth ulcers)

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Eating may cause painful cramps as the intestine narrows

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Weight loss and stunted growth (person tends to malnourish himself, either due to the effects of the inflammation in the intestines or due to the changes he has made to his diet. Inflammation can cause the walls of the intestine to become scarred and thickened, thereby obstructing the passage of food)

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Muscular aches and pains

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Tenderness in the abdomen including pain and spasms

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Fever

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Psychiatric disturbances arising due to anxiety producing symptoms

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Diarrhea, which may contain blood and mucus

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An altered immunological reaction in which the body attacks its own intestine tissue, possibly as a result of an infection or reaction to a stress or other environmental factors.

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A viral or bacterial infection in the intestine.

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In some cases, an abnormally high allergic reaction to certain foods such as
- Dairy products

- Grains like wheat, barley, rye, maize, oats

- Raw fruits, yeast

- Nuts, pickles

- Shellfish

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Genetic – There may be a history of this disease in the sufferer’s family, although it has never been considered as a strong cause.

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A highly processed diet, like that normally taken in the Western countries is also considered a prime accused. This combined with the general ‘notion’, although some researches have actually given a few details, that people belonging to the European and Jewish origin are more susceptible to it, Crohn’s disease is usually found in the Western nations.

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Mentha piperita is one of the most effective of the mint herbs, has been used for centuries to relieve indigestion, nausea and heartburn. Modern research has demonstrated its effectiveness in soothing the symptoms of diverticulosis, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders. Mentha piperita is widely cultivated for medicinal uses and also has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. It relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of natural digestive juices and bile, thereby assisting healthy digestion.

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Sutherlandia frutescens ('Cancer Bush' or 'Kankerbossie') is a medicinal herb exclusively found in Southern Africa and has been used by indigenous people for thousands of years to treat chronic and acute digestive complaints, internal cancers and as a powerful tonic. Recent research has confirmed its adaptogenic properties. Sutherlandia contains a number of highly active compounds, including pinitol, L-canavanine and the amino acid, GABA. L-canavanine is a strong L-argine antagonist that has documented anti-cancer and anti-viral activity.

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Pelargoneum graveolens ('maagpyn bossie' or stomach pain bush) is a traditional medicinal herb used by indigenous people of South Africa. It has a wide variety of uses and is an effective calmative and anti-spasmodic herb, reducing stomach cramps and pain.

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Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) - With its daisy like flowers throwing aromatic scents everywhere, this wild herb is found throughout Europe. The essential oil of German chamomile flower contains bisabols, flavonoids and azulenes that give this herb its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and muscle relaxing properties. This makes it an excellent remedy for digestive disorders. Bisabol which gives German chamomile anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve inflammation on the mucous membranes and promotes healing. It’s a good remedy for stomach pains and flatulence.

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Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet) is an anti-inflammatory, soothing digestive remedy which helps to protect the digestive tract and reduce stomach acid secretions. It is also effective in reducing the pain of digestive disorders and ulcers and is similar in structure to the synthetic drug called acetylsalicylate, or aspirin - without the side effects commonly associated with aspirin.

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Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) is one of the most effective herbs used in reducing digestive pain and irritation, and also protects and soothes the lining of the stomach and digestive tract due to its high mucilage content. Only bark from top quality Slippery Elm is used in our Gastronic Dr.

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Kalium phosphate (D6) is a biochemic tissue salt and a natural component of all fluids in the body. It acts as a nerve nutrient, and is naturally present in all brain cells and nerve tissue. Kalium phosphate (also called Kali. phos.) is an excellent nerve tonic and natural calmative, helping to soothe nerves and lessen edginess. Kali. phos. supports emotional calm and can therefore assist with a common nervous stomach or digestive systems which are affected by stress.

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Natrium phosphate (D6) is known as the ‘biochemic antacid’, Nat. phos. is widely used to address digestive comfort, especially after meals and is of great benefit for people who tend to suffer from common indigestion

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First things first, try elimination diet therapy which has worked wonders for more than 50% of the patients. One should try and abstain from one type of supposedly allergic food for a few weeks and see if that helps, although care has to be taken with regards to the essential vitamins and minerals one might be missing on. If the condition improves, you know your culprit.

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Omega -3 fatty acids have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and therefore diet containing foods rich in them has been seen to drastically reduce the symptoms in many a cases. Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily found in seafood; fish such as salmon (especially Atlantic and red, canned in brine), sardines (canned in water), mackerel (canned in brine), mullet, tuna etc., and pecans and trevally. Walnuts are also an extremely good source of omega-3.

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Vitamin and mineral deficiencies usually depend upon the location of the inflammation in the intestine. The usual ones and their respective sources of food are:

- Thiamin (vitamin B1) – potatoes, offal, seeds, fortified cereals, pork, fish, sunflower seeds, rice

- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – eggs, poultry, meat, fish, dairy products, fortified breakfast cereals, leafy greens

- Folic acid – green leafy vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks, silverbeet), liver, pulses, cooked asparagus,
  breakfast cereal, orange juice

- Vitamin B6 – soya beans, whole meal bread, poultry, beef, bananas

- Vitamin B12 – fortified breakfast cereals, fish, milk, lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, fortified soya drink

- Vitamin C – citrus fruits, blackcurrant, vegetables (broccoli, potatoes), red capsicums and chillies, strawberry,
  kiwifruit, rock melon

- Vitamin D – dairy products, fish such as salmon, sardines, herring

- Vitamin E – green leafy vegetables, eggs, seed oils, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, avocados, wheat germ

- Vitamin K – liver, green vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), milk, soya beans, eggs

- Calcium – green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish like sardines and salmons, almonds, tofu, calcium-fortified
  Soya drink, prawns

- Iron – green leafy vegetables, oily fish, offal (heart, liver), red meat, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals

- Magnesium – shellfish, fish, whole grains, leafy greens, soya beans, bananas, beans, apricots

- Selenium – wholegrain cereals, fish, liver, shellfish, red meat, chicken, garlic

- Zinc – dairy products, seafood (oysters), chicken, beef, eggs

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Don’t smoke – Quit smoking now as it is strongly believed that smoking increases the chances of Crohn’s relapse.

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Fluids – Fluids intake should be increased to avoid dehydration as there is considerable water loss due to diarrhea in most of the cases.

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Acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and relaxation techniques such as yoga, massage, floatation therapy, and deep breathing are other treatment options that are therapeutic and have a positive effect.