What are the Warning Signs of Crohn’s Disease? 

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause significant abdominal discomfort, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.  This disease can occur at any age, but mostly begins to appear in adolescence through age 30 or between ages 40-60. Anyone can be affected by this condition even if there is no genetic link to someone in your family. There are several types of Crohn’s disease, including ileocolitis,  ileitis,  gastroduodenal Crohn’s,  jejunoileitis  and granulomatous colitis. Each type may require a different method of care.   It is important to listen to your body and check out The Gut Authority if you have any questions. 

Warning Signs 

With the onset of this disease, the body attacks healthy cells within the intestinal lining. Some symptoms could be minor, while others may cause you to step away from your regular daily tasks. Symptoms can worsen when certain foods are ingested or if the body is under stress. Be sure to take note of any unusual issues that occur. Crohn’s is a disease that can be in remission for long periods of time and also has days or weeks when it flares. During a flare you may experience one or multiple signs below. 

Some early indicators of onset include:

• Appetite loss
• Abdominal pain 
• Fever
• Exhaustion 
• Joint Pain 
• Nausea 
• Pain and redness in the eyes
• Red bumps on the skin 

If you have several of the indicators, it may be a sign of Crohn’s. Over time, the condition can develop other, more severe symptoms, such as: 

• Blood in your stool
• Black or loose stool
• Mouth sores
• Weight loss
• Pain or drainage associated with the anus
• Inflammation of the liver

How to Care for Crohn’s 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but people diagnosed with this condition are not without hope. Using functional nutrition is a wonderful way to lessen the symptoms and find the root cause of an issue. Functional medicine strives to develop protocols that are customized to your body’s needs. This may include a diet change, incorporating exercise and adding specific beneficial supplements. This type of healing requires a relationship with a nutritionist and may change or  adapt over time. An example of a protocol for a client interested in this type of healing is as follows: 

1. Review and discussion of a complete health history.
   
2. Examination  of the client’s  lifestyle and environment 
3. Determination of what in the client’s life ” is not working “.
4. Implementation of a support plan to make necessary changes .
5. Restoration of your body to it’s intended functionality 
6. Strengthening of detoxification mechanisms 

Under the best circumstances of care, this disease can involve complications. If unaddressed, the risks of complications increase significantly. Problems to be aware of include: anemia, bone loss, bowel obstructions, fissures, fistulas, increased risk of colon cancer, malabsorption or malnutrition, a perforated bowel,  strictures or ulcers. Developing a treatment plan can be stressful, but you are not alone! There are approximately half a million Americans with this condition that have learned how to cope and thrive with guidance from a nutritionist. 

If you are a person with suspected Crohn’s disease living in Pascagoula, Mississippi, The Florida Panhandle, or in Southern Alabama, then  consider seeking guidance from The Gut Authority for personalized plans to address your symptoms. You deserve to live with a healthy and happy gut. Don’t waste time- Call today!