Crohn's Disease: Advice for sufferers – Crohn's disease is a disorder that triggers chronic inflammation of the digestive system. Initially, it can affect any part of the digestive tract.
Crohn's disease belongs to one of the two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The other primary variant of IBD is called Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Both diseases are classified as autoimmune.
This disease usually accompanies the patient throughout their entire life, although periods of good health (remission) may occur interspersed with periods of greater symptom activity (exacerbations or crises).
Crohn's Disease – Advice for sufferers
My authority to speak on this subject isn't exactly academic. But it's the testimony of someone who suffered greatly from the disease 15 years ago and who has now found a way to live in balance with the condition. I survived two episodes of generalized infection in which I spent 22 days hospitalized, with an 8-month interval between hospitalizations. Over the past 20 years, I've experienced periods of crisis and improvement, and little by little, I'm learning. Besides the invaluable help of my doctor and the teams who cared for me, and the prayers of many friends and family, I have to credit my survival to divine goodness.
It is an inconvenient and embarrassing disease on many occasions. It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, some less serious and others much more serious, but without a cause that justifies these symptoms.
Almost always after months of discomfort, countless tests, visits to various professionals, endoscopies, colonoscopies, and biopsies, and even then, because there are no decisive factors for a precise diagnosis, the doctor ends up deducing that it may be Crohn's disease. This account is very common among those with Crohn's disease.
Currently, there is no definitive cure for Crohn's disease, but medication and sometimes surgery can provide long periods of symptom relief.
In many cases, the condition progresses mildly, with few flare-ups, while in others it can manifest with greater severity. It is important to emphasize that Crohn's Disease is not contagious.
What are the main signs of Crohn's disease?
The symptoms of Crohn's disease cover a wide range, from mild to severe, and can vary from person to person. They also tend to fluctuate over time, alternating between phases of relative health, with few or no symptoms (remission), and periods of increased symptom activity (flare-ups or flare-ups).
Crohn's disease manifests itself differently in different patients: some may enjoy long periods of well-being that extend over several years, while others may experience flare-ups more frequently.
Signs and Symptoms in the Digestive Tract
Symptoms can also vary depending on the region of the digestive system affected by Crohn's disease. However, the most frequently reported symptoms during an acute episode include:
Abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, sometimes with the presence of mucus, pus, or blood.
Oral ulcers or canker sores.
Signs and Symptoms in the Body.
– Loss of appetite and weight loss. Weight loss can result from the body's inability to properly absorb nutrients from food due to inflammation in the gut.
– Feeling tired and fatigued, which can be attributed to the disease itself, weight loss associated with flare-ups, anemia (as explained below), or sleep deprivation, especially if the person needs to wake up frequently during the night due to pain or diarrhea.
– General malaise, with the possibility of fever in some people.
– Anemia, which manifests itself through a reduction in the levels of red blood cells in the blood. The risk of developing anemia increases if there is blood loss, inadequate food intake, or if the body is unable to absorb nutrients from food effectively. Anemia can lead to an intense feeling of fatigue.
Crohn's Disease – Advice for sufferers
How does Crohn's disease impact the digestive system?
The digestive system extends along a continuous tube from the mouth to the anus. When we eat, food passes through the esophagus toward the stomach, where gastric juices (responsible for digestion) break it down into a paste-like substance. Then, the partially digested food moves on to the small intestine, where it is further broken down so that nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The remaining waste from this process, that is, the liquid and indigestible parts of the food, goes to the colon (also known as the large intestine). The colon removes the liquid and transforms the waste into solid feces, which accumulate at the end of the colon. Finally, in the rectum, bowel movements eliminate what remains from the body. .
Crohn's disease triggers ulcers and inflammation, affecting the body's ability to digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste in a healthy way.
This condition can affect any part of the intestinal system, although it is most common in the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) or the colon. The inflammation often presents an irregular pattern, with areas of healthy intestine interspersed with affected areas.
The inflamed areas can vary in size, ranging from small, covering only a few centimeters, to extending intermittently along parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to affecting the lining of the intestine, Crohn's disease can also penetrate deeper into the intestinal wall, leading to the formation of abscesses and fistulas (abnormal passages between organs, such as between two sections of the intestine or between the intestine and the skin).
Is Crohn's disease inherited?
Crohn's disease has a tendency to be genetically transmitted, and parents with IBD have a slightly higher probability of having children with the same condition. However, studies have revealed that, for the vast majority of people, the actual risk is quite small.
Therefore, it's not possible to say with certainty whether Crohn's disease is contagious. Even with a genetic predisposition – that is, an increased risk due to a person's genes – additional factors are needed for the development of IBD.
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease, so it is extremely important to exercise caution with treatments that could potentially strengthen an already overactive immune system, as this could worsen the condition.
Crohn's Disease – Advice for sufferers
Do I need to adjust my diet?
There is no evidence that any food causes, much less cures, Crohn's Disease. In general, the emphasis is on maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet to support body weight and provide energy, along with adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
However, in some people with Crohn's disease, certain foods can trigger or worsen symptoms. For example, it may be beneficial to reduce fiber intake or avoid wheat, spicy foods, or dairy products.
It can be helpful to examine your own diet to identify foods that may have adverse effects. However, it is essential to seek guidance from a doctor or nutritionist before making significant dietary changes, thus ensuring that your diet remains balanced and healthy.
Furthermore, we know that the predominance of certain species of harmful bacteria in the gut is stimulated by the ingestion of certain foods. In other words, this combination acts by increasing intestinal permeability, which is the critical factor in Crohn's disease. We suggest reading this... excellent article which explains this relationship a little more. The presence of good bacteria (probiotics) inhibits the presence of pathogenic bacteria.
Keeping a food diary to monitor what you eat and any correlation with changes in symptoms can be helpful. In other words: keep a diary noting what you are eating at each meal and at the end of the day note how you felt. Then you examine this record and try to find associations with episodes of discomfort.
I believe this is the best way because each individual with Crohn's disease has a different response to the same foods. And these responses also vary depending on the stage of the disease.
Crohn's Disease – Advice for sufferers
Living with Crohn's Disease
If you have intestinal stenosis (narrowing), you may need to avoid foods that are more difficult to digest, as they can cause obstruction. These foods typically include those high in insoluble fiber, such as nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetable peels, as well as tough or fibrous meats.
Eating smaller, more frequent meals and chewing food thoroughly can also be beneficial. Your nutritionist can offer specific guidance.
People with Crohn's disease are more likely to develop vitamin deficiencies, especially if there is difficulty absorbing nutrients due to inflammation in the small intestine. Vitamin supplements may be necessary, as directed by your doctor.
Iron deficiency is common and can lead to anemia. Iron supplements in tablet form or intravenous infusions may be prescribed.
Those who have had their terminal ileum (the last part of the small intestine) removed or who have inflammation in that area may develop vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be treated with vitamin B12 injections.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with IBD and can have implications for the immune system and bone health. Vitamin D supplements may be recommended, especially to reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Conclusion
If you've discovered you have Crohn's disease, you'll have to learn to interpret what your body is telling you in relation to each food you eat. This is an autoimmune disease, so you need to avoid things that increase your body's tendency to become inflamed. As far as the stage of the disease allows: Exercise! This eliminates toxins and free radicals that inflame the body.
Try reducing your gluten and dairy intake and note the results. Be careful with all-you-can-eat pizza. Paradoxically, be careful with vegetable fibers that are very difficult to digest: kale, pineapple, orange pulp. Be careful with popcorn! Opt for lighter fibers from papaya, banana, kiwi, and apple. Be careful with foods that are high in phytate – for example, beans and raw oats!
At mealtimes, reduce the quantity and increase the frequency. Do everything gradually, observing the results. Don't overdo it. Just because papaya is good for you doesn't mean you should eat a whole papaya at once. Nuts and seeds have many nutrients and can be well tolerated if chewed properly – but in moderation.
Read and learn about it. Psyllium, I recently discovered this prebiotic, and my quality of life has improved dramatically since I started religiously including it in my diet. It's a soluble fiber that can be a great ally in smoothing intestinal transit.
Furthermore, read this suggestion of foods for people with Crohn's disease, but don't rely on it completely. You should test each food. Occasionally, seemingly harmless vegetable fibers like arugula, spinach, and kale can cause cramps and intestinal gas, depending on the stage of the disease or possible narrowing of the intestinal passage.
Author: Nivaldo Pinho CROSC 9696