Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition with no cure that affects many people. Thus, all a Crohn’s sufferer can hope for is an effective treatment that will alleviate symptoms and put the disease in remission.  One such treatment that may be able to achieve this goal for many sufferers is Remicade.

What is Remicade?  Remicade, better known as Infliximab, is part of a group of medications called Biological Response Modifiers or TNF (tumor necrosis factor) Blockers.  Remicade is a compound created from living organisms and their products - proteins, antibodies, etc. Remicade is designed to improve the body’s natural response to disease, by soothing certain parts of the immune system that is thought to be aggravating the condition and causing symptoms. 

Studies have found Remicade successful at helping many moderate to severe Crohn’s sufferers find relief from their symptoms and achieve remission.  Some researchers believe Remicade is an effective treatment because it binds and blocks the effects of TNF-alpha, one of the proteins used to create inflammation. 

Remicade is often prescribed to those not responding to steroid or other Crohn’s treatment.  Remicade is not a steroid drug, therefore, it may also help a Crohn’s sufferer reduce or stop steroid treatment which can have unpleasant side effects.

Is Remicade safe for everyone?  No.  Remicade can lower the body’s blood cells which help fight infections.  Thus, it is easier for a person to catch infections just by being around those who are ill.  It also increases the risk of injury and bleeding more than normal.

In addition, Remicade can increase the risk of developing particular types of cancer such as skin cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer.  It also increases the risk of autoimmune disorders like lupus

Remicade isn’t recommended for people who have:
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Tuberculosis or previous case(s)
• Hepatitis B
• Seizure or epilepsy
• Cancer history
• A disease that affects the muscles or nerves (IE. Multiple sclerosis)
• A current or recent infection

Children under 6 years of age can not use Remicade, and pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers should talk to their doctor before considering treatment.  Furthermore, you should never receive a “live” vaccine when on Remicade, and inform your doctor of any drug allergies.

What are the side effects of Remicade?  The following are side effects you need to be aware of including, but not limited to -

Common side effects: stuffy nose; sinus pain; stomach pain; mild skin rash, and headache.

Serious side effects: shortness of breath even after little exertion, swollen feet or ankles; hair loss; skin rash that appear red, purple or scaly; joint or muscle pain; sores in the mouth; feeling numb or tingling; weakness in the arms and legs; vision problems; pain or burning sensation when urinating; nausea; stomach pain; mild fever; dark urine; clay-colored stools; loss of appetite; jaundice and seizures.

Signs of allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; Swelling in the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Signs of an infection while on Remicade: fever; flu-like symptoms; soar throat; weight loss; chest pain; chronic cough; coughing blood; pale skin; unusual weakness; bruising or bleeding easily.

Should you experience any serious side effect, allergic reaction or signs of infection seek medical attention immediately and notify your doctor.  Also, be sure to notify your doctor if you experience common side effects or side effects not listed.

How is Remicade administered?  Remicade is administered by a health care provider, usually every 2 – 8 weeks, and is injected into the patient with a needle.  Remicade is injected slowly and treatment is about 2 hours.  Those who become experienced with the treatment may be allowed to treat themselves at home, but self-treatment requires confidence and effective understanding.

If Remicade is a treatment that interests you, talk to your doctor and discuss all risks. For more information on Crohn’s disease, please visit Natural Crohn’s Disease Relief, where you can sign up for a free newsletter.

There are many alternative treatments for Crohn’s disease; aloe vera isn’t the only remedy out there.  In fact, one of the latest studies showing promise for Crohn’s disease sufferers is an alternative treatment known as helminthic therapy.

Helminthic therapy is an alternative treatment that uses Trichiuruis suis (pig whipworm) to combat symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  During therapy, a patient is given eggs of the pig whipworm.  The eggs hatch within the body, grow and colonize for a limited time and then disappear, so no harm is done.

It may sound bizarre and disgusting to treat Crohn’s by causing an infestation of pig whipworm in the intestines, after all, shouldn’t we in Western civilization be celebrating that we’ve eradicated these pests from our systems with our sanitized culture?  We’re the first people in history to be worm free, so where’s the logic behind this therapy?  As ridiculous as it seems, when you learn all the facts behind helminthic therapy, you’ll find that it’s not as crazy as it sounds.

You see, Crohn’s disease occurs when the small intestine becomes inflamed.  It is believed by many medical researchers that this inflammation is the result of the immune system’s improper response to regular gut flora.  Thus, by introducing pig worms to the body, the immune system is provided with an actual target and will stop its assault on the natural gut flora in Crohn’s sufferers.   In short, worms help to regulate the immune system.

It is interesting to note, that many medical researchers believe that there is a link between Crohn’s disease and lack of worms within the system.  Crohn’s is a disease of the 20th century, and primarily develops in people who live in Western industrialized countries were sanitation is high and worms no longer exist.   Therefore, it is possible that the lack of worms within the body may be partly or totally responsible for bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease.

Medical studies are being conducted to find out what happens when worms are introduced back into people’s bodies.  The hope is that worms will re-instruct the immune system on proper response to inflammation and eradicate the disease.

Most Crohn’s patients who participate in helminthic therapy studies are given the pig whipworm eggs, which are dissolved in a drink they ingest.  As was previously mentioned, the whipworms hatch, develop and colonize, but they only live for a short time period. 

So far, the success rate of these studies has been high, as more than two thirds of the patients who participated in the study for a 6 month period, experienced remission, while others who didn’t go into remission still found the treatment helpful.  Furthermore, researchers are finding that even those who unsuccessfully responded to conventional treatment for Crohn’s, are benefiting from helminthic therapy

There appears to be no side effects or complications with this treatment as none have been reported.  However, research and studies are still being conducted on pig whipworm infestation as a therapy.   Only time will tell if the re-infestation of worms is the cure for Crohn’s disease.  Nonetheless, the future certainly looks promising.

To find out more about the latest treatment options and research please visit  The Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.
 

Although many people who receive an ileostomy find that their Crohn’s disease successfully goes into remission, when a person has a Crohn’s flare up, they experience inflammation within their digestive track which leads to pain, discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, and many other unpleasant symptoms.  If flare ups happen often, many people try to find different ways to naturally treat the disease instead of relying on drugs.  One natural treatment method for treating stomach disorders is aloe vera.

It has been scientifically proven that aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory.  It is the belief of many medical and scientific researchers that a natural anti-inflammatory is safer and has a better effect on the body than a synthetic anti-inflammatory.  The reason is because natural anti-inflammatory treatments appear to target various inflammatory responses, instead of only targeting one as is the case with many synthetic types.

In addition, a natural anti-inflammatory is usually gentler on the body and does not wreak havoc on the immune system causing the negative side effects often resulting from prescription anti-inflammatory meds that are typically recommended for Crohn’s disease.

What is aloe vera?
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is the most common form of the aloe plant and it has been used as a medicinal treatment for centuries, starting with the Ancient Egyptians.  The only part of the aloe plant that is used for medicinal purposes is the sap and the gel located within the leaves.  The sap is better known as aloe latex.
 
How is aloe used as a treatment?
Aloe can be used in two different ways.  The first, and most common, is to externally treat skin wounds caused by dryness, cuts or burns.  Gel is applied to the injured area and provides pain relief, sooths the skin and promotes healing.

The second form of treatment is when aloe is ingested to treat internal problems such as constipation, stomach disorders, diabeties, and many other problems.   Sometimes aloe vera is even used to aid in digestion.  When taken internally, aloe is available in powder and liquid forms.

Aloe latex and Crohn’s disease – Although aloe is generally safe when used externally as a gel, ingesting aloe, especially aloe latex when you suffer from Crohn’s disease is contraindicated.  Aloe latex is an extremely powerful laxative and is contraindicated with Crohn’s because it decreases the effectiveness of any medication that is taken with it simultaneously. 

Aloe latex will cause other medications to move through the digestive track far too quickly to have any effect as treatment.  In addition, aloe latex is not generally used as a laxative to treat constipation due to the fact that it often causes painful cramps in the abdomen.

Aloe latex has other risks including:
• It is habit-forming
• Prolonged use of aloe latex will require higher doses to work effectively which eventually leads to permanent damage to the intestinal muscle.
• Large doses result in kidney damage
• Aloe latex is not safe for pregnant women or mothers who are breast feeding.

Even though aloe latex is not an ideal treatment for Crohn’s, ingesting another form of aloe, such as aloe gel may be an alternative.   Nevertheless, always check with your doctor before using aloe vera to treat Crohn’s disease.    Furthermore, you can always ask your doctor about other alternative treatments that may be effective. 

For more information on treating and controlling Crohn’s disease symptoms naturally please click on the following link:   The Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide

Crohn’s sufferers that have constipation due to a stricture, have a severe case of Crohn’s that may one day lead to more complications that could result in an ileostomy.  An ileostomy (pronounced il-ee-os-tuh-mee) is an operation that involves bringing the end of the small intestine (the ileum) through an opening surgically created in the abdomen known as a stoma. 

An ileostomy is a procedure given to those who require their colon (large intestine) and rectum to be removed, because the disease and injury that has infected the large intestine has rendered it incapable of safely processing waste.

Since the small intestine is no longer attached to the colon to pass waste on, the stoma created connects the ileum to the outside surface skin of the abdomen.  A special bag known as an appliance is securely attached to the opening and collects waste from the small intestine.  Most ilesostomies are located on the right side of the abdomen just above the groin.

Living with an ileostomy

An ileostomy is an operation that usually improves symptoms of Crohn’s disease.  However, living with an ileostomy can be a struggle at first.  The following are some tips on how you can cope and make the most of your new lifestyle.

The Pouch – All pouches, regardless if they are open or closed ended, are designed of lightweight plastic and are attached by an adhesive wafer to the skin.  The wafer should fit snuggly to avoid leakage.

Due to the way modern ileostomy pouches are designed, they usually remain inconspicuous under regular clothing.  This is because pouches lie flat to the body.  Pouches can be worn inside or outside of underwear, so you can wear it in the way that is most comfortable for you.  Just make sure that you don’t apply pressure to the stoma by wearing tight clothing or belts over it.

Activities – As soon as you have your doctor’s permission and are feeling up to it, you can engage in all of the activities and sports you enjoyed prior to surgery.  This includes swimming, jogging, skiing, tennis, etc.   However, you will want to avoid rough contact sports (IE football) and heavy lifting.

Work – to give yourself peace of mind when you return to work, make sure you keep an extra pouch and a change of clothing on you at all times.

New Diet – Even though you can eat virtually any food after you have your ileostomy, it’s a good idea to continue avoiding foods that had a serious impact on your Crohn’s condition and maintain a healthy diet.  Furthermore, you should lower your intact of tough and high-fiber foods such as raw vegetables.   These types of food are hard for your small intestine to digest and this could lead to blockage.

Emotional Repercussions - At first, living with an ileosotomy can be hard to deal with.  Many people feel embarrassed about their ileostomy and are afraid to start new relationships, or open up emotionally to others.  The best way to make these feelings of shame and insecurity pass is to share your feelings and educate others about your condition.  You’d be surprised at how understanding people are who love and care about you.  

If you have a hard time talking to your family, friends, spouse, or partner, at first, consider joining a support group and talk with other people who live with ostomoies.

Keep in mind, an ileostomy does not stop a person from engaging in sexual activity, sports, traveling, or most activities.  The only thing holding a person back from doing the things they enjoy are their thoughts and attitude.

There are many more resources and lots of information about controlling, treating and living with Crohn’s Disease symptoms to be found in the Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.