Probiotics for Crohn's Disease With Constipation
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The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America states that over one million people suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease. The symptoms of Crohn's disease include pain in the abdomen, bleeding from the rectum and weight loss according to the National Library of Medicine. Some people also have diarrhea or constipation. Many types of treatments have been developed for people with Crohn's disease, and the use of probiotics has recently begun to be studied, according to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The National Library of Medicine states that Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that results in ongoing inflammation of the intestines. The disease can effect the entire digestive tract and results in poor digestion, pain and quality of life issues. Currently the cause of Crohn's disease is not well understood, but the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America states that some researchers believe that a faulty immune system is involved. A current theory is that the immune system attacks healthy bacteria in the intestines, which results in chronic inflammation, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The National Library of Medicine also state that Crohn's disease has a genetic component and can occur in people of all age groups but is most often diagnosed in young adults.
Probiotics
According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, probiotics are healthy bacteria and live microorganisms that are found naturally in the human digestive system. The use of probiotics is based on the idea that poor nutrition, stress and the use of medications and antibiotics can destroy the natural bacteria in the gut. Therefore, the probiotics are ingested to replenish the bacteria and aid in digestion. Probiotics are found in foods and dietary supplements. Some examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, milk, miso and soy beverages, according to NCCAM. They also state that research is currently underway to study whether probiotics can help balance the normal gut bacteria and help in conditions like Crohn's disease.
Considerations
According to NCCAM, the scientific understanding of probiotics and their potential for preventing and treating health conditions is at an early stage, and some theories exploring probiotics and immune function are being looked at. Current research shows the strongest area of evidence for treating diarrhea.
Prevention/Solution
There is currently no known treatment to prevent the symptoms of Crohn's disease. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the condition can usually be managed with medication, diet, and lifestyle changes. They recommend exercise for stress relief and to prevent depression, which can accompany the symptoms of the disease. In addition, a diet that is high in fruit and vegetables seems to help with the severity of symptoms. Avoiding poor lifestyle choices like smoking also seem to help, according to The University of Maryland medical Center.
Expert Insight
Crohn's disease is a condition that can impact quality of life for many people. Because the cause is unknown, there are relatively few treatments that are proven to help stop the disease. Current treatment includes medication, surgery and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Patients with Crohn's disease can have symptoms for long periods of time followed by remission. Probiotics are currently being studied and may help in cases with diarrhea, but the evidence is not yet sufficient to show that probiotics can help with Crohn's disease and constipation, according to NCCAM.
