The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. According to the journal "RN," inflammatory bowel disease is believed to the be result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the bowel. IBD is characterized by a sudden, unpredictable bout of diarrhea and abdominal pain.
History
No single cause for IBD has been established, "RN" states. One theory for the cause is that the body reacts aggressively to an unidentified virus or bacteria by causing inflammation of the intestine. Genetics also appears to play a role in the development of IBD. A patient who has a relative with the disease is ten times more likely to develop the disease than someone who does not. Diet is not the cause of IBD, but dietary modifications are essential for controlling symptoms.
Crohn's or Colitis
Although both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both considered IBD, symptoms are different. Patients with Crohn's disease are more affected by foods they consume than are those with ulcerative colitis. According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," patients with Crohn's or colitis have reported that bananas, carrots, potatoes, rice and roast chicken did not worsen their symptoms and actually made them feel good.
Diet Modifications
As indicated in "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," dietary modifications for patients with IBD are usually based on the individual patient's tolerance and avoidance of irritating foods. Despite most patients' beliefs that food affected their disease course, no reported dietary behavior has reduced the incidence the illness. Foods that are suspected of increasing colitis symptoms should be tried in small amounts to determine tolerance levels.
Nutritional Deficiencies
IBD puts a patient at a risk for malabsorption and malnutrition. IBD Patients are often deficient in vitamins A,C, D, E, K and B12 due to malabsorption. Iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphate are also affected due to malabsorption. When vitamin B12 is not adequately absorbed, carbohydrates, proteins and fats cannot be adequately metabolized and the risk of malnutrition increases, according to "RN."
Diet Recommendations
Foods high in fiber, fat and lactose may increase the diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to "Better Nutrition," the most common problem foods may include seeds, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens. In addition, products that contain caffeine and spicy foods can aggravate the symptoms. Patients with IBD still need an adequate intake of calories and nutrients, however. Protein from meats, fish, poultry and eggs are recommended. Cooked fruits and vegetables, without skin or seeds are generally well tolerated. Consuming adequate fluids is also important for patients with ulcerative colitis. "Better Nutrition," recommends 8 to 10 glasses of fluid per day.
During periods of excessive diarrhea, patients may need dietary supplements, particularly vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and potassium, "RN" states. The overall nutritional recommendations for patients with IBD are individualized based on the extent of the disease. According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," to maintain nutritional status, foods should not be eliminated from the patients diet without a fair trial. Consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.
References
- "RN"; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; J. Veronesi; May 2003
- "Better Nutrition"; Nutritional Rx for Crohn's and Colitis; Figueras; May 2010
- "Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; F.A. Davis; 2011
