Crohn's is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of diseases that involve inflammation of the digestive tract. This Inflammation is normally chronic in nature but at times it may also be acute.
The digestive tract is responsible for the breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients and excretion of waste materials therefore inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract interferes with this otherwise normal process.
IBD symptoms vary depending on the severity of inflammation and place of digestive tract involved.
Common Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Include:
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Abdominal pain and cramping
Blood in your stool
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Causes Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
According to Modern Science the cause is still unknown but as per Ayurveda as it is a digestive tract disorder, the reasons lies in our diet only. As per Ayurveda the Pitta aggravating factors are mainly responsible for this disease that is the reason when we treat IBD dietary restrictions are mandatory for good recovery.
Types of IBD
The two most common types of IBD are Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
1. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) involves inflammation of the large intestine.
2. Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in any part of the digestive tract between mouth and the anus However, it mostly affects the lower end of the small intestine and colon.
Ayurvedic Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease most commonly occurs in the small intestine and the colon. It can affect any part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. It can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall Inflammation of the intestine can “skip,” or leave normal areas in between patches of diseased intestine. The nature of Crohn’s disease symptoms may vary according to individual dosha predominance and involvement. This is why a complete analysis by a experienced ayurvedic practitioner is absolutely necessary in determining the root of the disease, proper diagnosis and treatment.
Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
Diarrhea
Stomach aches and cramps
Blood / mucus in stool
Rectal pain
Tiredness (fatigue)
Weight loss
Bloating
Night sweats
Fever
Diagnosis
Crohn’s disease diagnosis is made by taking into account the complete history of the patient. Investigations normally done are Blood test and Stool along with endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy with tissue biopsy.
20 years of safe and effective ayurvedic care
Crohn’s Disease may be correlated with Pittaj Grahani or Raktaj Pravahika. Grahani is specifically a digestive disorder in which Aama is produced because of weak digestive fire Mandagni (irregular, improper and irrelevant diet habits, heavy to digest or indigestible foods, junk food). So when a patient with weakened digestion takes pitta aggravating diets like excess of spicy, salty, sour, food items or diet which aggravates pitta may lead to Pittaj Grahani. Excessive exposure to hot climate, alcohol, smoking, non veg, fermented food may aggravate the condition. Non-following of the healthy diet habits (Pathya) in certain digestive disorders also aggravates the condition.
Ayurvedic Therapies for Crohn's Disease
Ayurvedic treatment of Crohn’s Disease focuses on appetite stimulation of ‘deepana of agni’. Specially formulated natural medications that directly digest ama (toxins), help heal ulcers and stimulate appetite while eliminating bloody stools and diarrhea are used as part of the treatment plan. Ayurvedic therapies that help in effectively treating Crohn’s disease include:
Medication
Herbs like Usheer, Lodhra, Lajjalu, Dadima, Kutaj are used with special medications.
Abhyanga
Ayurvedic therapy involving massage with herb-infused oils.
Shirodhara
Involves pouring medicated buttermilk, oil or milk onto the forehead for certain dosha imbalances.
Vasti
Special Type of Vasti called Piccha Vasti is given to reduce the inflammation and balance the function of Apana Vata.
20+ years of safe and effective ayurvedic care
Dr. Tarun Gupta, Senior Ayurvedic Consultant at SKK Ayurveda and Panchakarma, New Delhi has an experience of 20+ years in successfully treating Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.