Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It's also known as ileitis or enteritis.
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks healthy body tissue. White blood cells amass in the intestinal lining, initiating chronic inflammation, then progressing to ulcerations and injury to the bowel.
The usual target is the lower part of the small intestine, or the ileum. The inflammation and swelling penetrate deep into the intestinal lining, causing intense pain and diarrhea. The intestines can't absorb nutrients properly and malnutrition becomes a real threat.
A person with Crohn's disease may be anemic or deficient in vitamin B12 and folic acid. Many sufferers are deficient in vitamin D. The National Academy of Sciences report that 2,000 IUs a day of vitamin D is safe.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil or flaxseed oil may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Probiotics ("good" bacteria) may also be beneficial.
Inflammation and diarrhea cause fluid loss and ultimately dehydration. If you get dizzy or weak, or light-headed, you may be dehydrated.
It's imperative to keep your fluid and electrolyte intake up. Electrolytes help keep the electrical balance and water distributed to the cells.
A high-calorie liquid diet may bring relief to the embattled intestines, and enable greater absorption of nutrients so needed by Crohn's sufferers.
No diet works universally. But being aware of which foods agree with you and which ones don't gives you the upper hand.
Some of the likely suspects are dairy products, high-fiber foods, fried foods, legumes and cruciferous vegetables, whole grains and bran, nuts and seeds, red meat, spicy foods, raw fruit or vegetables.
Potentially troublesome beverages are alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, milk and tea.
A high-calorie, high-protein diet with three meals and two or three snacks a day, or a low-residue diet may be beneficial. Low-fiber and low-residue diet can decrease the cramps, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
A low-residue diet is low in foods that add residue to stool. If you're interested in a low-residue diet, stay away from corn, nuts, seeds, raw fruits and vegetables.
A daily food journal may bring hazardous foods to light. Staying away from these foods may cause some symptoms to ease.
Just write down what you eat and how much of it, along with the date. If you have any symptoms flare up after eating a food, make a note in your journal.
Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/crohnsdisease/CD_faq.html
Crohn's Diet: Managing Symptoms
http://www.healthtree.com/articles/crohns-disease/diet
Creating a Crohn's Disease Diet Plan
http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/creating-a-crohns-disease-diet-plan
Best Crohn's Disease Diet
http://www.crohns-disease.ws/best-crohns-disease-diet
Crohn's Diet
http://www.crohnsdiet.com
Crohn's disease and stress: diet
http://www.crohns-disease-and-stress.com/diet.html
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