If you have Crohn’s disease, complementary therapies may be beneficial in addition to taking prescribed medication from your physician. But before making any significant changes it’s essential that you speak with him or her first.
Studies suggest that certain herbs, like Tripterygium wilfordii (wormwood), may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, natural therapies like acupuncture or medical marijuana might provide more sustainable options.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine and has proven beneficial in relieving symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease flare-ups such as pain, nausea and inflammation. Furthermore, it has also shown to increase absorption of nutrients through the digestive tract – all while being safe, effective and painless treatment options. When looking for a licensed practitioner to help treat Crohn’s disease it is crucial that they have experience.
Alternative treatments for Crohn’s disease beyond acupuncture include herbal supplements, diet changes and exercise to alleviate symptoms and avoid flare-ups. These natural solutions may complement conventional therapy well; side effects tend to be mild and do not appear for every patient receiving them.
Medical treatments for IBD aim to heal intestinal tissue while relieving symptoms like fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs are some of the commonly used drugs.
Sleep can help ease stress-related symptoms and may improve quality of life overall. A good night’s rest will also leave you more alert and relaxed, which in turn could reduce symptoms and improve quality of life overall.
Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that promote healthy bacteria in your gut, helping reduce vomiting and nausea associated with Crohn’s disease. You can find prebiotics in many foods like bananas, artichokes, garlic and leeks.
Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recently conducted a groundbreaking study showing how electroacupuncture can effectively curb cytokine storm, an exuberant immune response which causes severe systemic inflammation. Mice were given electric stimulation of their hindlimb acupoints for stimulation; results demonstrated this method to be more successful than abdominal stimulation; suggesting different acupoints within the body have differing sensitivities.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, an ancient healing practice rooted in Chinese medicine, involves burning dried mugwort plants (moxa) near specific acupuncture points to facilitate energy flow and relieve pain. When combined with acupuncture for an optimal wellness treatment plan, this form of moxa therapy has proven its efficacy against conditions like Crohn’s disease as well as arthritis headaches and chronic fatigue.
Moxibustion differs from acupuncture by employing heat stimulation rather than fine needles to reach specific energy channels, and has proven successful at treating conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders, fertility issues and pain caused by various inflammation-based illnesses.
Moxibustion’s many benefits can be attributed to its ability to promote warmth and increase blood circulation throughout the body, as well as relieve digestive discomfort such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. Some individuals may find herbal supplements can supplement its effects; it is wise to check with your healthcare provider first if making any alterations to diet or routine.
probiotics, turmeric and bromelain are three natural treatments for Crohn’s disease that should be considered alongside moxibustion. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the gut that support healthy digestion while turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory and may help decrease Crohn’s-related inflammation. Finally, bromelain can help decrease acid secretion from stomach acid production while minimizing damage. However, immune modulators may take several months before showing results and should only be considered if aminosalicylates and corticosteroids haven’t had success in managing inflammation within their bowels.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the gut that aid digestion while also producing vitamins and substances to protect intestinal lining and boost your immunity system. Healthcare professionals may advise taking probiotics if an illness or medication has compromised your microbiome; your care team could also recommend probiotics if Crohn’s disease impairs bowel function, in which case additional nutrients might be beneficial to improve its effectiveness.
As well as dietary modifications, people living with Crohn’s may use alternative therapies, like yoga and meditation, as additional methods of relieving stress and anxiety that often contribute to flare-ups of symptoms in some individuals. Studies published by Behaviour Research and Therapy indicate that practicing stress reduction techniques may help alleviate symptoms like tiredness, abdominal pain and stool frequency.
Medication is another effective means of treating Crohn’s disease, with 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) being one of the primary treatments. ASA helps decrease inflammation in the GI tract and should act as a maintenance treatment to avoid relapses. If that doesn’t alleviate your symptoms, your care professional may suggest immunomodulators – synthetic small molecules designed to regulate or suppress your body’s immune system response so as not to trigger ongoing inflammation in your intestines.
Surgery may be needed if diet, lifestyle and medicine do not help control symptoms. Your healthcare team might recommend performing a colonoscopy to remove damaged sections of intestine and reconnect the healthy ones, drain abscesses and close fistulas as necessary, drain abscesses and close fistulas and drain abscesses before closing fistulas; you might require enteral or parenteral nutrition while waiting for healing of digestive tract to take place or you could undergo surgery to repair narrowed rectum which could reduce risk and increase comfort significantly.
Omega-3 fatty acids
People living with inflammatory bowel disease frequently use complementary therapies to support their health and manage symptoms, such as probiotics, regular exercise and taking dietary supplements. But it is essential that before trying any of these techniques they consult their physician as some may cause side effects or interact with medications they’re already taking.
Diets rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber may help ease symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding complications like diarrhea and malnutrition. It’s best to consult a registered dietitian for guidance as to what and how much to eat.
Antibiotics can help treat Crohn’s disease-related infections such as abscesses and fistulas with antibiotics like metronidazole (Flagyl) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Commonly prescribed antibiotics for this purpose include these two drugs.
Medications can help ease the pain and inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease, as well as decrease its frequency and lengthen its time between flare-ups. They may be taken orally, inhaled, or via injection; all three forms provide effective ways of treating inflammation while relieving abdominal cramps and spasms, promoting healing, and increasing quality of life.
Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation and improve symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, omega-3s may also help lower the risk of colon cancer as well as other health issues. You can find omega-3s naturally found in fish, nuts and seeds; supplements in the form of fish oil capsules or algae oils are also available to supplement this important nutrient source.
Study results involving people living with Crohn’s disease revealed that those taking fish oil supplements had significantly fewer relapses than those who didn’t, with those consuming fish four or more times each week having lower rates of recurrence compared with those eating it less than once every month.
Exercise
Exercise can be one of the most powerful treatments for Crohn’s disease. Finding an exercise routine that doesn’t worsen symptoms can be tricky, but there are various low-impact workouts you can try: strength training with weights or elastic resistance bands and flexibility exercises such as yoga or tai chi can all provide additional therapeutic support.
Exercise can be an excellent way to manage stress, which is often one of the primary triggers for flare-ups in people living with Crohn’s. Furthermore, exercising can increase energy levels and strengthen immunity systems as well as possibly helping prevent osteoporosis caused by certain medicines used to treat Crohn’s.
People living with Crohn’s should seek regular exercise as well as eating healthily and staying hydrated, in addition to taking omega-3 fatty acid-containing dietary supplements; such supplements have been found to be helpful in reducing inflammation caused by Crohn’s.
Alternative therapy options for treating inflammatory bowel disease include acupuncture, a Chinese technique using needles to relieve abdominal pain. Acupuncture can also help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, constipation and diarrhea as well as provide other forms of relief such as meditation or massage therapy.
People living with Crohn’s should consult with their physician prior to beginning any new fitness regime, particularly active Crohn’s cases wherein intensity of workouts needs to be limited and breaks taken when needed. They should also avoid large meals before exercise and identify nearby bathrooms beforehand; finally it’s important to remember that some fitness programs can make you sweat!
