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Women's Health
What Causes Crohns Disease?
The causes of Crohns disease is often discussed. Several theories abound about the causes of Crohns disease. Some say it's a disease caused by the body's own immune system, while others feel it's a genetic and
hereditary issue. Others however, feel that dietary habits and poor nutrition actually cause this disease, while many more point to bacteria and fungus as being the cause. Let's look at each theory more closely.
Crohns disease sufferers often have severe vitamin and nutrition deficiences. Some experts feel this is a side effect of the disease itself, because the inflammed intestinal walls prevent proper absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods eaten. Compounded by the frequent emptying of the intestine, there isn't much time for the body to actually absorb nutrition available from foods and drinks.
Other experts however, feel that Crohns disease might actually be caused by a lack of proper nutrition. Some studies for instance, show that many people diagnosed with Crohns disease have diets high in sugars and simple starches, yet low in fiber, vitamins and other essential nutrients. Diets high in fiber are known to be beneficial to our digestive system, and not eating enough fiber can cause digestive related problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids, liver or gall bladder problems, and more. Many natural remedy experts feel that an unhealthy colon will actually cause common skin conditions and problems too, such as Psoriasis.
A modern day American diet is not nearly as high in vitamins and nutrients as it needs to be either. People don't eat enough simple things such as raw fruits and vegetables for instance, and they opt for quick microwave or fast food meals instead of the more nutritious home cooked foods.
The genetic and hereditary theories are based on the fact that roughly 20% of people with Crohns disease have a blood relative who also has some sort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The counter-argument to this of course, is that since most of those cases involve siblings, the problem could very well be caused by eating and dietary habits instilled in the family as they were growing up.
The immune system is another culprit blamed by some experts, and this theory is controversial as well. Common medical treatments for Crohns disease includes the use of drugs which will supress the body's immune system. Some studies however, have shown that a weak immune system could actually be the cause of Crohns disease instead. And by boosting that immune system, the studies showed significant improvements in the Crohns disease patients.
The most promising studies on the causes of Crohns disease though, point to a potential link between fungus bacteria known as Candida. Crohns disease patients are known to have an overabundance of yeast causing bacteria in their system, and some studies have even shown that various IBDs have occured in children and adults who recently underwent heavy prescription antibiotic use for another infection. Antibiotics are well known to be a common cause of a multitude of various yeast infections, because they kill all the friendly flora in the body, which gives the Candida bacteria room to flourish.
So, due to the wide variety of beliefs and theories about the causes of Crohns disease, one individual's treatment may vary from another's based on what they personally believe, or what their chosen primary care provider believes.
Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.
Sources: http://heartspring.net/crohns_disease_symptoms.html
Breakthrough
Crohn's Disease Guide Written By a Patient, For Patients
Compleat Mother
Breakthrough
Crohn's Disease Guide Written By a Patient, For Patients
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