Managing Crohn's Disease Without Medications

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Many people suffer from Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases. In fact, it is becoming a worldwide problem as this statement from the American Gastroenterological Association's official journal points out.

"Inflammatory bowel disease emerges as a global disease.

As developing nations have become more industrialized, the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased."

Despite research into this digestive problem there is no cure. Given the complicated nature of IBD it will take more time and research before a cure is found. Meanwhile the best your doctor can do to help you live with Crohn's is by prescribing drugs to alleviate the symptoms.

Mostly the medicines your doctor prescribes will be anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal plus mild pain killers.

You properly know these prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications have side effects when taken for a prolonged time.

Some of the side effects of long term use of these drugs:

Steroids: (steroids are used to reduce inflammation)
Mood changes, wasting of muscles, high blood pressure

Antidiarrheal Medicines:
Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, loss of appetite.

Loperamide: Constipation

Of course no one will experience all these side effects, and many people will not suffer any side effects at all, but it still pays to be aware of the potential downside to any drugs or medications your doctor prescribes for you.

Managing this disease with medications is not the only choice you have, there are things you can do to help yourself. So what can you do to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms you suffer from Crohn's disease without resorting to over-the-counter and proscription drugs?

Keeping records of the foods you eat and how they affect your condition will help to isolate foods and food combinations that cause flare-ups or those that help to prevent flare-ups. It may take some time to get a useful list of all the foods that help or hinder your Crohn's disease but it is worth the effort.

Keeping your digestive tract in a healthy state is important if you are to manage your flare-ups successfully.

Drinking water on an empty stomach helps to flush-out any toxins from your intestines, liver, and kidneys helping to reduce any immune response, that cause inflammation in your gut. Drinking water first thing every morning before you eat or drink anything else is one of the healthiest things you can do. Not only does this help with digestive problems but it has a whole host of other health benefits.

It seems our digestive systems cannot cope well with the way our foods are being processed. In fact what we eat is over-processed to a degree that leaves us with lifeless foods, and foods that are difficult for our digestive system to cope with.

As you know Crohn's disease is a serious condition that is unpleasant to live with, but it is not fatal and you can lead an active life by taking control of the symptoms.

Following these suggestions will help to improve your health and the health of your digestion system.

Keeping your digestive tract in the healthiest state you can is important so here are a few do's and don'ts that will help:Don't smoke (smoking plays havoc on your stomach)Avoid food additives as much as possibleDrink plenty of waterEat organic whenever you canGet plenty of exerciseDon't drink alcohol (at all)

One well proven method of helping your digestion system is through correct food combining, if you would like to learn more about this eating system Click Here

Staying active is also helpful when dealing with any form of illness as your body will function better if you can preserve your fitness, even if it is only by walking.

Polycystic Kidney Disease And Peritoneal Dialysis

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I have PKD, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and in September of 2008 I started on peritoneal dialysis. In 2006 I was referred to Dr. Samuel Schorr, a Nephrologist here in Calgary where I currently live. I started with Haemodialysis in May 2008, I found the treatment to be effective, but time consuming, and felt I could do more for my own treatment. I decided to try peritoneal dialysis, it is a much gentler treatment, and can be done by myself at home. I had a catheter surgically inserted into my peritoneal cavity in the summer of 2008 at Foothills Hospital, and took training at the Col. Belcher Hospital (one of the last through there, there was moving schedules on all the notice boards, they tore the building down shortly after, it's dated from WW1, they had built the Sheldon Chumir Medical Centre to replace it, that is where I go now) at the end of August for peritoneal dialysis, followed by training for nocturnal peritoneal dialysis, the cycler.

I would start each day by draining the solution that had been in while I slept. I would then empty a 2 litre bag of Dianeal (1.5% or 2.5% sodium and water) solution into my peritoneal cavity, my stomach. That is good for 4 to 6 hours. I would take a 2 litre bag to work and do an exchange sitting at my desk during lunch, an exchange took about 40 minutes, and I could sit at my desk and work while doing this. I would do another exchange when I got home from work, clean my house, then do my last exchange before bed. This time I would use an Extraneal solution, 7.5%, that would last for 12 to 16 hours, while I slept. In the morning, repeat, no days off on Peritoneal Dialysis.

I only followed this routine for a couple of weeks, then I started on nocturnal peritoneal dialysis, the cycler! You must be very careful to maintain a sterile environment while on both types of treatment, I am normally a slob, but my apartment was very clean while doing this. I would scrub for at least one minute before doing an exchange, and I would wear a mask. When you swap bags you are exposing your stomach to the outside air, full of nasty things your tummy is never supposed to see, so you must be clean, and quick!

My name is Will Lake, I kive in Calgary, Alberta. I am divorced with three grown sons, and I inherited a chronic condition from my father, Polycystic Kidney Disease. I had a kidney transplant in 2009, the donor was my mother. I have been working with Internet Income University on developing my Internet Marketing skills, Internet Income University prides itself in offering an Honest, Ethical, and Legitimate online education experience. Please check my website: http://wclake.com/

Polycystic Kidney Disease and Haemodialysis

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I have PKD, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and in May of 2008 I started on Haemodialysis. In 2006 I was referred to Dr. Samuel Schorr, a Nephrologist here in Calgary where I currently live. Early in 2008 Dr. Schorr had ordered a shunt to be surgically created in my left forearm, the surgeon was Dr Yilmaz; he was my transplant surgeon as well. An artery was grafted to a vein and an access was created to accommodate the needles for haemodialysis, the increased blood flow made the vein expand in diameter.

I went to the Foothills Hospital Unit 27, the haemodialysis unit, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday afternoon, for a 4 hour 'run' each time. I was working full time, this schedule allowed me to keep working and go for treatment. I would be connected to the machine with 2 needles in my access, over the 4 hours my blood would go through the artificial kidney (filter) about 10 times. I could not move my left arm and do nothing but watch TV or listen to music during treatment. The treatment was a bit of a shock to the body; there is a lot of fluid transfer, but the elimination of the build up of toxins in the body felt great, more vim and vigour! A big downside was that I could do nothing to help; I had trained professionals trying very hard not to hurt me while they inserted these huge needles into my access. The diet and fluids were rather restricted, you must maintain a close watch on your drug interaction, treatment is cyclic in nature, and you didn't feel that good when you went back in for treatment due to the build up of toxins, time to scrub the blood and feel good again.

I was able to travel and get treatment while on vacation. My youngest step-son was graduating from Diamond Jenness High School in Hay River, NWT, and I had a 'run' in the new dialysis unit at H.H. Williams Hospital, operated by my old friend Roger. We had a good visit while I had my blood cleaned, enjoyed the graduation, almost got kicked out of my campsite! I then drove to Penticton, BC, to visit my mother, and went for two 'runs' while there. I did have to fax ahead and reserve space, and was lucky to get into Penticton on rather short notice, 6 weeks!

I was on this treatment for about 4 months, I was then on Peritoneal Dialysis for about 10 months, I then had a successful Kidney Transplant, the donor was my mother.

My name is Will Lake, I kive in Calgary, Alberta. I am divorced with three grown sons, and I inherited a chronic condition from my father, Polycystic Kidney Disease. I had a kidney transplant in 2009, the donor was my mother.
I have been working with Internet Income University on developing my Internet Marketing skills, Internet Income University prides itself in offering an Honest, Ethical, and Legitimate online education experience. Please check my website: http://wclake.com/

Gluten Allergy, Wheat Allergy and Celiac Disease

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When it comes to a gluten allergy, you'll discover several misunderstandings online. Gluten is more pervasive in the American diet than most people understand and celiac disease has more serious long-term consequences than most people appreciate. In addition, few people are aware of the differences between wheat allergies, a gluten allergy and celiac sprue disease.

What Exactly Is A Gluten Allergy?

The umbrella term gluten allergy is often used to talk about three different medical conditions. These conditions include celiac disease, wheat allergies or non-celiac gluten sensitive (often abbreviated as NCGS).

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that is triggered by gluten consumption. This condition will be diagnosed by genetic testing, a blood serum panel or an intestinal wall biopsy. A biopsy is the most accurate and widely accepted test to diagnose celiac disease as the intestinal wall where the biopsy is taken is the target of the damaging immune response.

Wheat allergies manifest themselves more like classic allergies, such as hay fever. They do not represent an autoimmune disease, therefore they manifest differently from the symptoms of celiac sprue disease.

Non-celiac gluten sensitive is the expression used for people who test negative for celiac sprue disease but who still experience a potent and consequential reaction to eating foods with gluten in them.

Statistics show that around 1% of all people are afflicted with celiac sprue disease. About 2-5% suffer from wheat allergies. Another 10% are diagnosed as non-celiac gluten sensitive. So collectively nearly 15%, or nearly one in every six people, suffers from some type of gluten allergy.

Wheat Allergy Vs. Celiac Disease

A wheat allergic reaction includes symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, hives, a rash and swelling. The reaction is immediate and is considered a Type 1 Hypersensitivity.

Symptoms of celiac disease tend to be a bit different and sometimes take days or even weeks to present themselves. Celiac symptoms include stomach pain, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, constipation and weight gain or more commonly, weight loss. Some people have silent celiac symptoms or don't experience symptoms at all (they are asymptomatic).

A recent study revealed that it takes more than five years for the average celiac patient to be diagnosed after they initially take their concern to their doctor. Because so many individuals endure health problems for far too long before receiving an accurate diagnosis, you ought to better understand these separate conditions and better appreciate when you should take your concern to a medical professional.

To help you better clarify the complexity of gluten and your health, visit this comprehensive and free web guide to gluten sensitivities:

Gluten Allergy