Me asked:


I’ve had IBS for 22 years and was diagnosed without any internal examinations when I was 14. I have always suffered bad cramps, bloatedness, food intolerances and just wondered if anyone knows if there are many differences between the conditions?

Juliet Cohen asked:


Collagenous colitis is called microscopic colitis. Collagenous colitis is a newly-recognized disease of the colon. Collagenous colitis is inflammation of the colon, the last portion of the digestive tract that ends at the rectum and anus. The most common symptom is chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhoea. Collagenous colitis is a rare condition that affects about four people in every 10,000. It tends to develop in people aged over 40 years. Women outnumber men 20 to one. There is no cure but lifestyle changes and medical treatment can manage the symptoms in most cases. Collagenous colitis affecting women more than men.
Collagenous colitis reason of chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a reason of infinitesimal colitis. Some patients’ diarrhoea improves after stopping the NSAIDs. Some folk with collagenous colitis too have new autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or Sjogren’s syndrome. The handling of infinitesimal colitis has not been standardized because there have not been sufficient big scale, potential, placebo controlled handling trials. Treatment of collagenous colitis is often challenging, and many agents have been used therapeutically.
Trial of lactose elimination (just to eliminate the possibility that intolerance to lactose in milk is aggravating the diarrhea). Anti-diarrhea agents such as Imodium or Lomotil also use this condition. 5-ASA (mesalamine) compounds such as Asacol, Pentasa, or Colazal are helpful this diease. If medications do not control the diarrhea, taking a bismuth subsalicylate such as Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. Avoiding certain medications such as nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).In rare cases, the chronic diarrhoea cannot be brought under control and surgery is needed. Diseased sections of the colon may be removed.

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Kathy Hassed asked:


Agave is a large cactus plant originally from Mexico but is grown widely around the world in suitable climates. It has many varieties and is grown in home gardens as an ornamental plant and also for its medicinal properties. It has edible flowers, leaves, stalk and of course the sap, used the procurement of tequila. The sap is steamed and distilled to make Mexico’s favourite drink but Agave can give you the same benefits of Tequila without the hangover.

The leaf tea of the Agave is said to be useful for constipation, excess gas and can be useful as a diuretic. Tea derived from the root is said to be good for arthritis.

There have been some tests done which show that a derivative of the blue agave plant is effective in delivering drugs to the colon which could help in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel and Crohn’s disease.

The Agave nectar or syrup can be used as a natural sweetener without damaging the properties of other ingredients, thus making it a great additive to liquid nutrient supplements while enhancing the properties of those ingredients with its natural sweetness. Because it is naturally occurring it does not cause an insulin reaction, having no sugar, making it a great alternative for diabetics. It is also a great alternative for those watching their weight which is all of us.

Agave is also a great source of soluble fiber.

Agave nectar does not need any intervention such as heat or distillation as it is naturally occurring nectar which remains in state through hot or cold temperatures. This makes it another great choice for liquid nutrition as it has its own preservation built in.

It has been recommended as the only sweetener for raw foodists as its rich taste goes a long way without other harmful effects on the body’s metabolism. Its taste has been compared to that of treacle so think of it as maple syrup without the calories, sugars or human intervention of boiling to enhance its properties.

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Sharon Dobson asked:


Before we get into detail about whether self healing colitis and crohns is possible some background on the two conditions is needed.

Those who have Crohn’s disease or Colitis often don’t know it right away. These two conditions are often confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome because the early symptoms are quite similar. Both conditions usually start out with diarrhea and abdominal pains, and that can indeed mimic IBS.

However, things can get much more serious, and bleeding from the rectum can occur. Both Colitis and Crohn’s are caused by inflammation in the digestive system, though Colitis is always in the rectum or colon only. This inflammation can be very severe, and can lead to bleeding, among other symptoms.

For many with these conditions it means taking drugs for the rest of their lives, and even surgery is a very real possibility. This leads many to wonder self healing colitis and crohns is a reality.

If you are lucky, you will have a mild case of Crohn’s or Colitis, and the symptoms will come and go. There may even be times when you are in remission, feeling perfectly healthy. When symptoms do come on, they may be mild and easily managed. However, some sufferers have symptoms so bad that their lives are altered completely, and they can no longer do the things they used to do. When that happens, a whole new way of living, and eating must be learned. These patients often have to take medications to help manage their pain and other complication.

No matter how severe or how infrequent your symptoms might be, you might ne interested if there is anything you can do to heal yourself. Your doctor might want you to have an operation, and that might clear up some of the problems, but it is rarely a cure-all for these conditions. You can a self healing colitis and crohns approach, but you should know that it might not work for everyone, and there are many different variables that you have to consider. For some, the path to healing lies with the foods that you eat, and even more importantly, the ones you don’t eat.

The belief behind self healing for these two conditions is that our bodies are fighting back against the over-processed foods that are so common today. In order to encourage healing and combat the cause of the condition a vegan diet is recommended. This means eliminating all meats, and focuses on eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. It is thought that once your body is getting the foods it was built do handle, it can work more effectively, and the problems with inflammation will melt away.

If you are interested in trying this, you can go out and find the book Self Healing Colitis And Crohns to see if it will work for you. There are many who say it helped them, and some that say they were completely healed after a few years. Your results will depend on how well you can stick to the program and the severity of your condition. You should always remain under physician care while you are doing anything like this, and remember to continue your medications if your doctor insists that you do so.

Hopefully, there may come a day when your self healing colitis and crohns regime has been successful and you can finally throw the drugs away for good.

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Lee Dobbins asked:


The colon is a very important organ that performs a very vital function in the human body. The colon is responsible for eliminating a large bulk of wastes formed from the digestive process, and is sort of the sewerage system in a person. It is thus important to maintain the health of the colon because improperly functioning bowels can cause disastrous problems in the body. Knowing about diseases that the colon may acquire can help in keeping one’s colon health in check.

Colon disease vary in their gravity, some may just be mild irritation while others can be a threat to life. The four most common kinds of colon disease include non-cancerous polyps, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease and Crohn’s disease.

Polyps

Colon polyps are basically abnormal growths of tissue that appear in the lining of the colon, protruding into intestine’s canal. While polyps are normally not serious, they can develop cancer cells later if not detected early. There are three subtypes of polyps and polyp-related diseases: ordinary polyps, familial adenomatous polposis, and Lynch Syndrome.

Ordinary polyps occur sporadically among people aged 40 to 60. These polyps may progress into cancer within ten years, and thus they are often removed with colonoscopy. Familial adenomatous polyposis or FAP is a hereditary disease that is characterized by the occurrence polyps in the colon by the hundreds or even thousands, with great chances of developing cancer and thus treatment entails removal of the colon. Lynch Syndrome is another hereditary condition that is more common than FAP, although less common than ordinary polyps, and unlike FAP, which occurs as early as age ten, Lynch Syndrome usually appears as late as the 40s or as early as the 20s.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by the inflammation in the mucosa, the deepest lining of the colon or rectum. Ulcers or small open sores would form on the lining’s surface, producing blood, pus and mucus. Around 500,000 to about two million people in America suffer this disease and most of the patients are below the age 30.

Ulcerative Colitis usually manifests with abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, fevers, or weight loss. Patients who experience excessive bleeding may also develop anemia and malnutrition, especially for children. The symptoms of this disease can disappear and reappear within months or years.

Diverticular Disease

Some people develop pockets in the walls of their colon, these pockets are called dierticula and their presence is what doctors refer to as diverticulosis while their inflammation is called diverticulitis. Complications can happen when infection reaches diverticula. The pockets may rupture causing bowel blockage or leaking of the bowel wall. Another great danger is the introduction of harmful bacteria causing abscesses and even small tears in the colon walls that could lead to life threatening abscesses in the abdomen.

Many people who have diverticular disease may not know about it because diverticulosis usually do not have symptoms. At most, people have mild cramps, constipation and bloating. Diverticulitis on the other hand manifests with abdominal pain, soreness around the lower left side of the abdomen, fever, vomiting, nausea, chills, and cramping. The gravity of these symptoms greatly depends on the extent of complications and infection.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease, which is also known as enteritis or ileitis, is a digestive tract disease characterized by the chronic inflammation of the colon and other parts of the digestive tract. It affects about 500,000 to two million Americans and can recur over a patient’s lifetime. Oftentimes, Crohn’s Disease is hard to detect because it has similar symptoms to other colon disorders like ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

The usual symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, anal pain, bloating, anal drainage, rectal abscesses, joint pain, skin lesions and fissure. Some patients bleed to the extent of developing anemia. Crohn’s disease may stunt the growth and development of children due to the malabsorption of protein and other important nutrients.

Crohn’s disease may sometimes result into ulcers that could tunnel to surrounding tissues and areas such as the vagina, and bladder. Fistulas, or abnormal tunnels, may also result from Crohn’s disease.

Knowing about colon diseases is just a small part of keeping one’s digestive health on the right track. Regular checkups for colon disease or other illnesses are necessary to ensure good health and general well being.

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Sharon Price asked:


Crohn’s disease is a condition which causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can occur anywhere in the GI tract; but is predominant in the lower part of the small intestine, in the ileum. This swelling reaches the lining of the affected organ to cause pain and leads to the frequent emptying of intestines to lead to diarrhea.

Crohn’s disease is referred by different names depending on the inflammation that occurs in different parts of the intestine. Inflammation that is found in the end of the small intestine is referred to as Crohn’s terminal ileitis and Crohn’s entero-coilitis and ileo-colitis are the terms used to describe the inflammation of the small intestine and colon. In both cases of Crohn’s disease, a small intestinal obstruction, diarrhea and abdominal pain are the common symptoms.

As the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, they are difficult to diagnose. Sufferers usually have all the layers of the intestine involved in the infection where there may also be healthy bowel found in between the sections of diseased bowel. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, arthritis, skin problems, fever and sometimes persistent bleeding that leads to anemia.

Crohn’s disease is a life long condition where there are flare ups of the symptoms that tend to alternate with periods of remission. There is no actual trigger for a relapse but when a person suffers from symptoms of Crohn’s disease it indicates that the disease is active.

Diarrhea that arises from Crohn’s disease may contain blood, pus or mucus that may go up to 10 or 20 times a day, even at night. This may in turn lead to painful tears or fissures developing around the anus. The pain in the abdomen associated with Crohn’s disease is referred to be cramping or colicky. In such cases, the abdomen becomes sore to the touch, and tends to swell up.

Weight loss is another symptom of Crohn’s disease that is a consequence of diarrhea and the loss of appetite a person develops when suffering from Crohn’s disease. Another symptom of Crohn’s disease is mouth ulcers, joint pain, inflammation in the eyes and rashes or ulcers that are found on the skin.

A chronic sufferer of Crohn’s disease experiences severe inflammation complications which includes fistula which is an abnormal connection that exists between the bowel and a part near the bowel like the bladder, vagina or loop of bowel. These fistulas can lead to recurrent infections of the urinary genital tracts.

Some people suffer from other complications like abscesses that form inside the abdomen or perhaps a stricture that tends to obstruct the passage of bowel movements. And a person, who has suffered from Crohn’s disease for eight to ten years, faces an increased risk of getting bowel cancer.

As it can be seen there are numerous symptoms to Crohn’s disease which are similar to a case of indigestion and piles it is necessary to have a check up with recurrence of the symptoms. This is to prevent complications that may lead to bowel cancer.

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peterhutch asked:


Fish oil is harvested from cold-water fish, including mackerel, tuna, salmon, cod and others. Nutritionists have recommended including cold water fish as part of a heart healthy diet for years, as it contains two of the most important and easily absorbed Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.Heart Disease Prevention - Large population studies report a significantly lower rate of heart disease death for people who regularly eat fish. Fish oil supplements are also associated with improved blood vessel function and a decreased resting heart rate.Reduces Triglycerides for Heart Health - There’s also strong scientific evidence from human trials that omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids from cold water fish and fish oil supplements significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels.Inflammation: Fish oil has anti inflammatory properties; therefore, it is effective in reducing inflammation in blood and tissues. Regular consumption of fish oil supplements, tablets, pills and capsules is helpful to those suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. Fish oil is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders, sprue, short bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, which are typical disorders of the intestine. Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease find it difficult to absorb vitamins, fats and essential supplements. Fish oil supplements are an effective diet for such patients. In ulcerative colitis, fish oil prevents the accumulation of leukotriene on the colon. It should be noted that the anti inflammatory properties of fish oil are limited to reducing inflammation. Fish oil provides little effect in preventing inflammation. Research is also being conducted to enhance the antiinflammatory action of fish oil by addition of other dietary supplements and drugs.Fish oil has also been used to treat conditions such as depression, eczema, IBD, macular degeneration and arthritis. Fish oil benefits the heart significantly, as well as the rest of the body.Omega-3 oils have been called “the miracle food of the 21st century.” Research shows the right kind can help prevent heart disease, maintain optimum blood pressure and cholesterol levels and give almost immediate relief from joint pain, migraines, depression, autoimmune diseases and many other conditions. And, by improving brain development and memory functioning, from conception through old age, certain Omega-3 oils also provide the perfect brain food.Blood Circulation: It is believed that fish oil has the ability to improve blood circulation along with reducing triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels.Lowers risk of developing Altzheimer’s Disease - studies have found that fish oil seems to help protect the nervous system.Lowers blood triglycerides - high levels of triglycerides are known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Cardiovascular Health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.Other fish oil benefits include prevention of diabetes and damages caused by diabetes. Fish oil supplements can help prevent vision loss due to macular degeneration in older adults and a raft of other conditions.

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Corwin Brown asked:


Colitis (also called ulcerative colitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the colon—your large intestine or bowel. Colitis causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, called the ileum.

Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the small intestine and colon. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease differs because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Causes of Colitis

Heredity: Because you’re more likely to develop ulcerative colitis if you have a parent or sibling with the disease, scientists suspect that genetic makeup may play a contributing role. Research into which genetic mutations might increase susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is ongoing.

Although there is much scientific evidence that patients with IBD have abnormalities of the immune system, doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. Doctors believe that there is little basis for the idea that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are caused by stress or diet.

Environment — Several environmental factors, such as infections, are suspected of triggering UC in people who have a genetic susceptibility. However, no single factor has been consistently proven to be the primary trigger. The bacteria that normally live in the colon also have an important role in the development of the disease, since animals at risk for UC do not develop it when raised in a bacteria-free environment.

Infectious agents or environmental toxins: No single agent has been associated consistently with either form of inflammatory bowel disease. Viruses have been reported in tissue from people with inflammatory bowel disease, but there is no compelling evidence.

Treatment for Colitis

Surgery is necessary in an emergency such as perforation (a hole in the colon), severe bleeding, or toxic megacolon, a dangerous condition where the colon becomes extremely distended, causing a person to become severely ill with a high fever.

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine): Sulfasalazine can be effective in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but it has a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, heartburn and headache. Don’t take this medication if you’re allergic to sulfa medications.

The physician will recommend avoiding certain medications such as nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Sometimes conditions improve when patients avoid substances that may increase the chance of diarrhea, such as foods and beverages that contain caffeine and lactose.

Short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, exist in the lining of the colon. These nutrients are produced during digestion of complex carbohydrates. The intestinal lining of individuals with ulcerative colitis may not produce these nutrients. In several small trials, 35 of 41 people with ulcerative colitis benefited from SCFA enemas.

Laxatives: In some cases, swelling may cause your intestines to narrow, leading to constipation. Talk to your doctor before taking any laxatives, because even those sold over-the-counter may be too harsh for your system.

Drug therapy aims to improve the quality of life for people with colitis by inducing and maintaining remission, or symptom-free periods. There are three types of drugs most commonly prescribed to treat colitis. These include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunomodulatory medicines.

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Sharon Dobson asked:


We all know that stress is not good for the body or for the soul. If you have Crohn’s disease however, you may find that stress is making you feel worse. Remaining calm is not easy, and is not possible all of the time, but a patient with troubling symptoms might want to try to relax more often to see if this helps them feel better. There are many different Crohns relaxation techniques a person can try, and they are not that far removed from how any person would deal with stress. Controlled stress, good diet, and the right medications can make all the difference.

Though it is a common idea that stress somehow causes Crohn’s disease, there is no evidence that points in that direction. If you have Crohn’s or Colitis, your doctor has probably already told you that the cause for both conditions is not known. If someone in your family has it, you may have inherited it by means of genetics, but that is not always the case.

Living with stress can make symptoms worse for some people however, and that is why stress management is so important. High levels of stress might cause a flare up of symptoms, and that in turn can lead to feelings of depression. That is the last thing a patient should have to deal with when they have this condition, a major cause of stress in itself.

There have been studies done to determine if stress makes symptoms worse, but the results are mixed. There are some that swear that stresses in their lives make the pain worse, and that learning how to relax has helped with this problem. A person with Crohn’s who is under a great deal of stress must learn how to avoid those things that bring them worry. This is not totally possible, but there are some things a person can do. Heavy responsibilities can be shared, or can be passed off to someone else. That alone can make a huge difference.

One of the biggest stresses can come from knowing that you have Crohn’s. You are going to feel a lot of frustration, anger and embarrassment as you learn to live with your condition, but there are some steps you can take to make it easier.

When you receive your diagnosis, you should learn all you can about what is going on with your body. Understanding what is going on is going to reduce your stress levels. Also, remember to talk to your doctor whenever you need to do so, and look for all of the information you need to help you understand what is going on. The more you know about your condition and what to expect, the less stress you will have to deal with every day.

One great way to reduce stress is to try something like Yoga. This helps anyone relax, and you may find that the breathing techniques can help at almost any time if you begin to feel overwhelmed. You may find tips for Crohns relaxation through support groups. You can share your story, hear the stories of others, and keep up-to-date with the latest research and information. Though managing stress will not cure your case of Crohn’s disease, it can help you manage your symptoms. If you are living with this day in and day out, you may agree that every little bit helps.

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