SYMPTOMSStools are hard, dry, and infrequent. It is difficult to have a bowel movement.
Other symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, lack of energy, dull headache, poor appetite, and low back pain.
CAUSES"Constipation" comes from the Latin, and means "crowded together."
The bowels should move daily, ideally, after each meal. When this does not happen, waste material moves too slowly through the large bowel. Elimination becomes painful, and toxins are reabsorbed by the system, placing an overload on the liver and kidneys. All waste in the body should be expelled within 18-24 hours.
A number of different physical problems are partially caused by constipation: bad breath, body odor, depression, appendicitis, fatigue, gas, headaches, hernia, indigestion, the malabsorption syndrome, varicose veins, obesity, insomnia, and the coated tongue.
Toxins, reabsorbed from a constipated bowel, can also result in migraines, chronic gas and bloating, thyroid problems, meningitis, and myasthenia gravis.
Constipation tends to be common during pregnancy.
Older people often have constipation because they are not drinking enough water.
Persons with spinal injuries may have problems with constipation, due to damage to certain nerves.
Include enough fiber in your diet each day. Drink enough water. Get enough exercise, especially out-of-doors, so you get enough fresh air. Avoid poisonous substances and emotional tension. Relax, thank God for your blessings, and take time to be a blessing to others. Follow the advice in this paragraph, and many of your problems will vanish.
As soon as you awake, start drinking warm water, a little at a time. By the time you are ready for breakfast, you should have at least taken a quart. Faithfully following this regime, you will tend to develop regularity in your morning bowel movement. This plan nicely starts the day off right.
Then, after breakfast and every other meal, go outside and walk a little or a lot. Breathe deeply.
The larger the amount of fiber in the diet, the larger and softer will the stools be.
Eat smaller amounts of food at each meal.
Concentrated foods, such as meats, sugar, and cheese are excellent for producing constipation.
Dairy foods, soft drinks, white flour, salt, coffee, alcohol, highly processed foods, and sugary foods should not be used, if you want to solve this problem.
Iron supplements cause constipation. So do painkillers and antidepressants.
All decongestants and antihistamines are drying agents, and may cause the stool to become dryer than it should.
Eat prunes or figs. Flaxseed meal (best freshly ground) is helpful. Both will soften stools. Psyllium seed is also good, but take it quickly with a full glassful of water.
When necessary, take cleansing enemas to relieve the load on the bowel. But the solution is better living, not reliance on enemas.
A small, cold enema helps eliminate the enema habit. (See "Enema Habit, how to overcome.")
There is always the possibility that, if constipation occurs too frequently, that cancer, or some other obstruction of the bowel, may be involved. Other symptoms of colon cancer include severe cramping; blood in the stool; a tender, distended abdomen; and very narrowed feces. But cancer can be present without these symptoms occurring.
Alternate diarrhea and constipation may point to irritable bowel syndrome (which see).
Also see "Constipation2."
ENCOURAGEMENTThe fallen world is the battlefield for the greatest conflict the heavenly universe and earthly powers have ever witnessed. It is fought anew in the life of every person born into this world. Both Christ and Satan want to have the control of your life. The choice is yours; which shall it be?
INCREASE PERISTALTIC ACTIVITYDrink half a pint to a pint of cold water before breakfast, preferably distilled water. Increase the bulk of food, with free use of fruit, especially apples, oranges, and figs; also brand cakes, etc. (instead of so much smooth, non-fibrous food). Small Cold Enema; Graduated Enema; Fomentation over liver twice daily, followed by Heating Compress during interval between. Hot Abdominal pack at night; Abdominal massage; Cold Fan Douche to abdomen; Cold Percussion Douche to spine; Cold Planter Douche for 1-3 minutes; Cold Rubbing Sitz Bath at 700-750 F., 5-20 minutes. Avoid complete emptying of colon, using small Cold Enema instead of a large quantity of warm water, except when necessary, to relieve autointoxication or remove hardened, impacted feces. If necessary, introduce into rectum, as high as possible, at night or before breakfast, to be retained till the next bowel movement, a small pledget of cotton saturated with raw linseed oil or with glycerin.
INCREASE ACTIVITY OF INTESTINAL GLANDSHalf a pint to a pint of water at bedtime, to be retained overnight; abdominal message; Hot Abdominal Pack, without plastic covering.
REMOVE ACCUMULATED FECAL MATTERLarge Hot Enema or Hot Colonic; Neutral Enema; oil retention (oil enema to be retained throughout the night). Repeat the application till bowel is thoroughly emptied, then inject a pint of water at 750-700 F., to tone the bowel.
DILATION OF THE COLONGraduated enema; Cold fan Douche to abdomen and spine opposite the stomach; running Cold Foot Bath; Cold Rubbing Sitz Bath; Hot Abdominal Pack, without plastic covering, changing every 4 hours.
INCREASE STRENGTH OF ABDOMINAL MUSCLESCold fan Douche; Cold Plantar Douche; Percussion Abdominal Douche; Cold Compress to abdomen, renewed every 4 hours without impervious covering; massage; special exercises, particularly head raising and leg raising while lying on one's back.
ENTEROPTOSISRestore prolapsed bowels to position; strengthen abdominal muscles as indicated above; correct normal sitting position; abdominal supporter.
HEMORRHOIDSLong Cold Sitz Bath; Cool Anal douche; Cold Compress to anal area; small Cold Enema; if inflamed, rest in bed; Fomentations over the nates, followed by cold compress. Repeat Fomentations every 3 hours.
PAIN(1) If due to a fissure: hot applications, sitting over steam [hot vapor, not actual "steam"]. (2) If due to irritable rectum: hot colonic. (3) If due to pain in abdomen: Revulsive Compress; Revulsive Douche; Hot Enema at 1100 F., followed by small cool Enema; Revulsive Sitz Bath.
RELIEVE SPASM OF SPHINCTER ANI MUSCLEProlonged Neutral or Hot Sitz Bath; Warm Colonic; Hot Colonic; Fomentations over the nates (the "nates" are the fleshy prominences formed by the gluteal musclesthe area where a child is spanked).
RESTORE SENSIBILITY OF RECTUMAlternate Hot and Cold Colonic, Cold Douche to lower spine and nates. Shallow Cold Sitz, Cold Anal Douche, Alternate Anal Douche.
CONTRAINDICATIONSStrictly avoid Sweating Baths that sometimes induce Constipation, also abuse of the Fomentation and the habitual use of the Warm Enema, which should be strictly avoided. If the Enema is used daily, the temperature, at least at the conclusion of the enema, should be 650-75o F., so that a tonic effect may be secured.
GENERAL METHODEach case must be carefully studied, with reference to the leading cause or causes which are operative in the individual case. Most important of these are the following: aparalytic or atonic condition of the intestine through disturbed or defective innervation; diminished intestinal secretion or an abnormal absorption of intestinal secretion, resulting in unusually dry and solid fecal mass; dilatation of the colon, giving rise to accumulation; relaxation and weakness of the abdominal muscles with lowered intra-abdominal tension; hemorrhoids and other diseases of the rectum; prolapse of the colon and other abdominal viscera; loss of normal sensibility of the rectum; spasm of the anal sphincter muscle.
Also see "Constipation1."
SYMPTOMSFrequent and loose watery bowel movements. This is often accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain, thirst, sudden need to eliminate, vomiting, and possible fever.
CAUSESSevere diarrhea can produce a loss of essential electrolytes, such as potassium, and result in pale pallor, listlessness, and dark circles under the eyes.
Diarrhea in infants is serious. Something must be done right away. If the child has five or more watery stools a day, consider it diarrhea.
Possible causes include overeating, food poisoning, stress, incomplete digestion of food, taking certain drugs, flu, intestinal parasites, caffeine, contaminated water, infection (viral or bacterial), eating certain foods (such as unripe fruit, spoiled protein, or rancid fats), eating soap (from improperly rinsed dishes), ingesting certain chemicals, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.), cancer, traveling to foreign countries, poor digestion, or lactose intolerance from milk products. Giardia lamblia, a microscopic parasite, is the most common form of water-borne infestation in the United States.
A rich meal of wine, lobster, creamy desserts and all the trimmings is a good start toward diarrhea. It is all too much for the body to handle. The body rejects the whole thing and sends it all out.
Dysentery is diarrhea which is caused either by a disease organism of some kind or overeating of rich food. The symptoms are the same as diarrhea, but may be longer lasting.
Prevention requires cleanly food sources, careful food storage and preparation, self-discipline, and cleanliness.
Because of the ongoing diarrhea, people with IBS require as much as 30% more protein than normal, as well as an increased intake of minerals and trace elements.
Avoid xanthine-containing foods such as chocolate, tea, coffee, and spicy foods. Also avoid drugs, cold liquids, and carbonated beverages. All these may produce diarrhea.
Milk may also induce diarrhea. Lactose intolerance and virus are leading causes of diarrhea.
In case of chronic diarrhea, electrolyte and trace mineral deficiencies are likely. Rice water, lime water, potato broth, and fruit will help restore lost electrolytes.
It is recommended that no raw fruit juices be given until the acute stage is past.
Garlic is helpful in helping purify the gastro-intestinal tract.
Carob powder is high in protein and helps stop diarrhea.
Keep liquid consumption high, in order to replace lost fluids.
Antacids are the most common cause of drug-related diarrhea. Antibiotics and a number of other medicinal drugs cause it also.
While you have diarrhea, do not prepare food for others, and wash your hands carefully.
Some say to use bran and pectin foods, in order to tighten the bowels and stop the diarrhea; others say to let it run its course, in order to rid the problem foods, etc., out of the system. But, generally, it is considered best to use fiber foods to get the diarrhea stopped. When increasing fiber intake, also increase fluid intake.
The deciding factor is whether the diarrhea was caused by a bacteria or virus. If so, you want the body to throw it off through the bowels, if (if) this will happen fairly rapidly.
Helpful herbs include white oak bark, an astringent which stops diarrhea. Also useful are American blackberry, barley, clove root, whortleberry, black currant, burdock, and echinacea.
Also see "Diarrhea, Chronic," and "Diarrhea in Infants." Also see "Turista" for more on preventing and terminating diarrhea.
ENCOURAGEMENTIf Christ abides in your heart, you will be happy and full of praise and joy. The crises of life are as nothing compared to the bright future God has in store for you. Stand true to Him, and soon heaven will be yours.
TO LESSEN CONGESTIONRest in bed. Enema, 950 F., after each bowel movement, followed by half a pint of cold water; Fomentation to abdomen twice daily, 15 minutes; during interval between, apply Heating Compress over abdomen, renewed every 2 hours. This heating compress should be covered with flannel only (not protected).
TO DISCOURAGE BACTERIAL GROWTHAseptic dietary, especially fruit juices, purees, well-cooked cereals. Cleanse colon by large Hot Enema daily.
TO COMBAT WEAKNESS AND AUTOINTOXICATION Short Sweating Baths, 3-8 minutes, and Graduated Cold Baths.
PAIN IN ABDOMEN WITH TENDERNESSFomentation to abdomen every 2-3 hours; Hot Enema at 1000 F., after each bowel movement; Heating Compress over abdomen after each hot application, to be changed once an hour until the next hot application is made.
MUCOUS STOOLSLarge Hot Enema at 950 F., followed by small Cold Enema; Cold Compress to abdomen, changed every hour; Revulsive Sitz Bath or Revulsive Compress to abdomen; Revulsive fan Douche to abdomen.
FREQUENT STOOLSAbdominal compress as above; prolonged Cool Sitz Bath at 750 F., 15 minutes, followed by short Hot Pail Pour to spine and Wet Sheet Rub.
ALTERNATING CONSTIPATION AND DIARRHEALarge Warm (980 F.) Enema or Colonic, once or twice a week; follow with a small Cold Enema and Hot Abdominal Pack.
CONTRAINDICATIONSAvoid Cold Douche, protected Heating Compress, prolonged Fomentations.
GENERAL METHODIncrease the general vital resistance and improve stomach conditions, regulating the diet so as to render the intestine an unfavorable place for bacteria which constitute the chief cause of this disease; remove bacteria and masses of mucous by Neutral Enemas.
Also see "Diarrhea and Dysentery1."
DYSENTERY (ACUTE), COLITIS
DIETARY NEEDSFree water drinking, a simple dietary with no animal broths or meat preparations. Brown rice, fresh buttermilk, fresh ripe fruit, and fruit juices, with well-cooked cereals.
TO COMBAT VISCERAL INFLAMMATIONHot Blanket Pack, with Hot Hip and Leg Pack, followed by Heating Compress to abdomen at 600 F., changed every 20-40 minutes; ice suppositories if the inflammation extends into the rectum; Cold Sitz Bath at 750 F., 15-30 minutes, with Hot Foot Bath; Cold Colonic; Rest in bed.
TO RELIEVE PAINVery Hot Pack over pelvis, with Hot Foot Bath; very Hot Enema at 1000F., followed by Cold Colonic. Repeat hourly if needed.
DYSENTERY (CHRONIC), COLITIS (CHRONIC)
GENERAL CARERest in bed; careful diet; Graduated Cold Baths, twice daily; Cold Rubbing Sitz Bath; Hot Revulsive Sitz Bath 6-10 minutes daily, immediately preceded by a Hot Enema.
PAINIf much pain is present, give a Revulsive Sitz Bath once or twice a day. Moist Abdominal Bandage.
Also see "Diarrhea and Dysentery1."
SYMPTOMSDiarrhea when traveling in foreign countries, otherwise you may not feel sick.
CAUSESHygienic conditions and bacterial flora are different in other countries. The nationals are used to it; but, arriving in that strange land, it can be too much for you.
One problem is foreign versions of the escherichia coli bacteria. Foreign versions produce a toxin that prevents your intestines from absorbing the water you ingest in food and drink. The result is diarrhea.
Salmonella and shigella bacteria can also produce turista, and a smaller number of cases are caused by rotavirus or the giardia parasite.
Up to 50% of turista cases are unexplained, but suspicion is pointed to fatigue, changes in diet, jet lag, and altitude sickness.
Seasoned travelers say that there is a 50% chance you will get diarrhea if you visit overseas, even if you take the recommended precautions. But here they are anyway:
American travelers are often given Entero-Vioform tablets, which they are instructed to take several times a day. But those medications are forbidden in Japan and Sweden, because they can cause severe nerve and eye damage.
Instead, take betaine hydrochloride (betaine HCl) tablets with you when you travel, and swallow two tablets after each meal. The hydrochloric acid will kill bacteria in the stomach and help prevent infection.
Straight lemon or lime juice, taken on an empty stomach, also has an sterilizing effect.
To make the situation even better, eat some raw garlic with your meals.
In cases of non-bacterial diarrhea, 3 tbsp. of raw, unprocessed wheat bran daily, taken in fruit juice, has been found to give relief.
Here are more ideas for preventing turista from happening to you:
Drink acidic drinks, such as fruit juice or whatever else you can get overseas. If you cannot do better, drink carbonated beverages sealed in bottles or cans.
Try to make sure the dishes and eating utensils have been cleaned in purified water, and, hopefully, rinsed in very hot water.
Avoid uncooked vegetables. This includes salads, fruits you cannot peel, ice cubes, and anything that unpurified water is in.
Boil water for 3-5 minutes to purify it. Iodine liquid or tablets purifies it also.
There is danger, when traveling overseas (or even if you remain at home) that the diarrhea may indicate something more serious:
Abdominal bloating, vomiting, and pain can point to colitis, appendicitis, or an intestinal obstruction.
Black or red stools can indicate bleeding or a parasitic infection.
White or pale stools can signify disease of the liver.
If fever occurs with the diarrhea, then a serious infection may be involved.
Amoebic dysentery is a serious problem in Mexico, Central America, and a number of other places. If you contract it, garlic, goldenseal, colchicum, peppermint, and ginger have been used successfully against it. When in doubt, burn a wooden box, gather the charcoal together and swallow it in water.
Here are other homemade ways to eliminate diarrhea:
Take dried blueberries with you. They tend to constipate and thus eliminate the diarrhea. Blackberry root is equally good. Make it into a tea and drink it.
Plantain is strongly astringent, so is white oak bark.
Cook down apple peels and drink it. The pectin in it helps eliminate diarrhea.
Tannic acid is in acorns and oak bark. It is a powerful astringent, and will stop the muscular contractions of the intestines.
Not only charcoal, but clay is also useful in stopping diarrhea. Many commercial antidiarrheal preparations contain clay.
Also see "Diarrhea and Dysentery."
ENCOURAGEMENTHappy is the man who has discovered for himself that the Word of God is a light to his feet and a lamp to his path. It is alight shining in a dark place. It is heaven's guidebook for mankind.
SYMPTOMSThere are three basic patterns:
(1) constipation and pain; (2) alternating constipation and diarrhea; (3) and painless diarrhea with mucous. Diarrhea frequently occurs upon arising, and again following breakfast. For the remainder of the day, he may be constipated. Diarrhea at night is rare. Instead of diarrhea, stools sometimes are pasty and very narrow.
Also present may be gas, nausea, bad breath, heartburn, severe headaches, bloating, lack of appetite, weakness, faintness, backache, and heart palpitations.
Pain is often triggered by eating, and may be relieved by a bowel movement.
A fifth of those with this problem also experience rectal bleeding.
CAUSESIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive problem which patients see their doctor about. About one-fifth of Americans have the problem. Primarily occurring between the age of 20 and 50, women have it twice as often as men. It is said that three-fourths of the population experience it at some time in their lives. Yet IBS is comparatively unknown in cultures where people eat simply, and not too much of it.
The fundamental problem is that the muscles of the small and large intestines contract in spasms rather than regularly. Something in the food bothers the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract,probably the totality of the strange things Westerners eat: processed, greasy, fried, sugared, chemicaled, synthetic, drugged, and alcoholed food; and eaten hurriedly, at irregular times.
These spasms cause the food to pass through the GI tract either too fast or too slow. When too slowly, too much water is absorbed, causing hard, dry stools; when too fast, too little water is absorbed and the stools are watery.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a nuisance, but is not life-threatening. But be aware that symptoms of IBS may indicate more serious problems, which sometimes are related by IBS: arthritis, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, malabsorption disorders, candidiasis, pancreatic insufficiency, skin disorders, ulcers, colon cancer, and parasitic infections, such as amoebiasis and giardiasis.
There are diseases which have similar symptoms, such as diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and lactose intolerance.
To relieve GI pain and expel the gas, take an enema, use a heating pad, hot water bottle, hot fomentations to the abdomen, lukewarm enemasgiven slowly. Moist heat will be more effective than dry heat, since it penetrates better. If the pain is severe, apply the heat for an hour, remove for an hour, and then apply again for an hour, until relief comes.
Take charcoal tablets, to relieve gas and bloating. But do not use it daily or it will cause constipation.
The pain may be sharply increased by drinking cold liquids and eating food. It is now known that the pain is generally associated with constipation. (See "Constipation.")
The person may think he has too much gas, but studies reveal only that the normal amount of gas in his intestines bothers him more. But it would still be wise to avoid gas-forming foods. (See "Bloating" and "Belching.") Avoid swallowing air. Do not chew gum or smoke, drink enough water, and avoid carbonated beverages.
Eat more bran (oat bran, etc.) and it will produce more normal bowel movements. Coarse bran works better than fine bran. A high fiber diet is particularly important in solving IBS.
Add crushed psyllium seed to your diet.
Avoid stress, strain, worry, and rush.
Avoid tobacco, tea, coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, and drugs.
Research shows that refined sugar needs to be avoided if you want to return to normal living.
Do not use sugar substitutes (sorbitol, etc.).
Do not take antacids or laxatives.
Eat on a regular schedule. Do not skip meals or eat between meals. Let your digestive system rest before the next meal. Five hours between meals is a good rule.
Do not eat before going to bed.
Search for your food allergies. Keep written records and take the pulse test. (See "Allergies" and "Pulse Test.")
Avoid animal fats, butter, fried foods, and dairy products.
Because of the ongoing diarrhea, people with IBS require as much as 30% more protein than normal, as well as an increased intake of minerals and trace elements. (See "Diarrhea.")
Studies of patients revealed that 70% of those with IBS had a lactose-intolerance problem. They needed to stop drinking milk in order to partially, or wholly, solve the problem.
Regular out-of-door exercise is needed in order to maintain good bowel health.
If you want success, stay totally away from cigarette smoke.
Do not use medicinal or street drugs if you want improvement.
When your intestines upset you, temporarily go on a bland diet. Put vegetables and nonacidic fruits through a blender. But be sure and include fiber if you are on a soft diet, and some protein.
Wear loose-fitting clothing.
Also see "Colitis."
ENCOURAGEMENTThere is a great work to be done in our world, and God has a plan just for you. He has a place for you to work and, though it seems to be ever so insignificant, if you will fill it to the best of your ability, ever trusting in Him for help, He will approve.
SYMPTOMSBloody diarrhea, bloody mucous, gas, pain, bloating, incomplete elimination of the bowels, weakness, weight loss, indigestion, headaches, and sometimes hard stools. Diverticula are often produced.
CAUSESColitis is a disease of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis is a more severe variation of it. The symptoms and treatment of both are about the same.
Colitis is a chronic infection of the lower bowel. The mucous membrane wall becomes irritated as a result of fecal matter which has accumulated, because of constipation. In other words, the person did not have regular bowel movements, and so the bowel wall became infected as a result.
Over-the-counter laxatives, cooking in aluminum utensils, overeating of refined carbohydrates, too much sugar in the diet, and food allergies are other causes.
Constipation causes the person to strain. This produces diverticula (see "Diverticulitis"), small pockets which fill with waste matter and toxins.
Low-fiber diets, wrong food combinations, and poor bowel habitsall work together to cause trouble. Toxic bacteria multiplies quickly when retained in the lower bowel too long.
Nervous tension and emotional stress intensifies the problem.
Antibiotics change the intestinal flora, and that can also produce colitis.
It is important that you try to find the underlying cause of the colitis, otherwise it will be difficult to eliminate it.
More rarely, the intestinal wall weakens, balloons out, and could possibly rupture. This is called toxic magacolon.
High-fiber foods are very important, also drinking lots of water.
To begin with, do not eat raw greens, carrots, or peanuts. Eat cooked or steamed green leafy vegetables, cooked white potatoes, multigrain bread, and well-cooked oat bran, brown rice, millet, sweet potatoes, bananas, cooked carrots, squash, and avocados.
Drink fresh, raw cabbage, carrot, celery and parsley juices, to help heal the colitis.
Do not eat fruit on an empty stomach, but at the end of the meal, until the colitis is gone.
Avoid milk products, for they irritate the colon. Wheat products may do it also.
Poorly digested roughage can be the problem. Chew your food well. Your intestines need fiber, but not chunks of food.
Undigested cereals and carbohydrates are another cause. Take digestive enzymes and smaller, more frequent, meals.
Use the pulse test, to ascertain whether allergic foods are being eaten. (See "Pulse Test.")
When no open peptic or intestinal ulcers are present, take 2-3 tablets of betaine hydrochloride (betaine HCl) after each meal with a glass of water. This will help the stomach digest proteins and carbohydrates.
Slippery elm is very soothing and healing to the bowel. Mix one tsp. of powdered slippery elm with one pint of boiling water, blend well, add something for flavoring, and drink slowly.
Alfalfa, garlic, and papaya are also useful.
Helpful herbs include aloe vera, myrrh, and pau d'arco.
Also see "Crohn's Disease" for additional information on ulcerative colitis. See "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" for more on colitis.
ENCOURAGEMENTWe are to love God with all our mind, and soul, and body. Give Him your life, and let Him use you to be a blessing to all those around you. There is no other way to be genuinely happy.
SYMPTOMSLoss of energy, appetite, and weight. Chronic diarrhea, fever, chronic rectal bleeding, malabsorption, pain in the entire abdomen, excess fat in the stool (resulting in pale, bulky stools that float). Malnutrition results.
CAUSESCrohn's disease is also known as regional enteritis. Ulcerative colitis is a different disorder, but similar enough in symptoms and treatment that we will list them together.
The difference is that ulcerative colitis only involves the first two layers of the intestinal wall (the mucosa and submucosa); whereas Crohn's disease also affects the next two layers (the connective tissue and the wall muscles).
Crohn's disease is a chronic ulceration of one or more sections of the digestive tract. Three special facts are (1) the ulceration reaches into all layers of the gastro-intestinal (GI) wall, (2) the entire GI tract can be involved, from mouth to the anus, and (3) this is usually a long-lasting condition.
As the inflamed portions heal, scar tissue remains, which keeps narrowing the channel.
Many puzzles still surround this condition. The origin is not clearly understood, and certain racial groups contract it more than others (Jews have it more than anyone else).
But certain facts stand out:
Food food allergies may help it start, and identifying and avoiding them helps reduce it.
A lack of vitamins C and E in the diet aggravates the problem.
People in Europe and North America have it far more than those living elsewhere in the world.
Jews in America have it much more than Jews in Israel. Caucasians have it less often than Jews, but more often than other races.
Therefore it is likely that the modern, Western, diet is a significant factor. Eating simple, nourishing food is an important aspect of dealing with this problem.
Rarely does the disease strike once and go away. Most of the time it recurs for years. When this happens, the ongoing scarring keeps reducing bowel functions.
If ignored, eventually Crohn's disease can lead to cancer.
No definite cure is known, but certain things tend to alleviate the problem.
It is believed that Crohn's disease is an autoimmune problem; that is, the GI tract has become so toxic from years of mistreatment, that the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking the part of the body housing the toxic food.
A fat-free diet helps. It is known that those with Crohn's disease cannot absorb fats well and do not tolerate high-fat diets.
Do not use spices, such as mustard, vinegar, pepper, and horseradish.
Drink plenty of liquids, such as distilled water and fresh juices.
Cabbage juice contains vitamin U, the anti-ulcer vitamin, which is good for the walls of the GI tract.
Of course, eat no junk food, tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and useless things which only harm you.
Eliminate all food additives. Do not use sugar or sugar foods. One study revealed that patients contracting Crohn's disease had previously been eating more sugar than the average population. Eat high-fiber, unrefined carbohydrates (whole grains). However, gradually increase the fiber content, all the while chewing well, so as not to irritate the GI tract. If you cannot chew well, then blend the food.
Individuals who contracted Crohn's disease were found to have eaten few raw fruits and vegetables prior to developing the condition.
Mainly eat nonacidic fresh or cooked vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, kale, garlic, and Brussels sprouts. Never fry anything.
Avoid overeating, in order to reduce the inflammation of the GI wall.
Gluten tends to make the problem worse. So avoid gluten-containing grains (which are wheat, oats, rye, barley, and buckwheat). Remarkable results can be obtained, but the gluten-free diet must be strictly adhered to; not even tiny amounts in the diet may be permitted.
Lactose intolerance is frequent. Avoid all milk products.
Eliminate all possible food allergies and other allergies. Crohn's patients tend to have allergic conditions, such as hay fever and eczema.
Regularly obtain sunshine and fresh air.
Avoid stress, anxiety, and worry. Keep calm and relaxed. Avoid even exciting, competitive games.
Charcoal will help control the diarrhea. Take 4-6 tablets, 2-3 times a day between meals. If the charcoal irritates the colon, stir the charcoal into water, let the charcoal settle to the bottom, and only drink the apparently clear top part.
Make sure the bowels move daily.
Surgary, antidiarrheal drugs, and corticosteroids should be avoided. They worsen the condition rather than improving it. A full 50% of those who undergo surgery report a rapid increase in symptoms afterward.
Helpful herbs are black walnut, burdock, goldenseal, pau d'arco, psyllium, saffron, aloe vera, fenugreek, slippery elm, and white oak bark.
Also see "Ulcerative Colitis."
ENCOURAGEMENTThere is a mighty power in prayer. Our great adversary is constantly seeking to keep us away from God. But the humblest soul can, through earnest prayer, penetrate the clouds and lay hold on the arm of God in heaven.
SYMPTOMSNo symptoms until they become infected or inflamed, resulting in chills, fever, and pain. The pain may be localized in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen and may be constant. Sometimes there is a brief period of diarrhea.
CAUSESDiverticula are small pouch-like sacs on the inside of the large bowel, generally in the descending colon. When a person is constipated, he tends to push too hard. The air pressure exerted by this muscular squeeze on the bowel muscles can force small pockets to form in the walls of the lower colon.
Once they form, diverticula never go away. Of themselves, they provide no symptoms. The problem is that fecal matter can collect in them and eventually attract bacteria. This results in infection or inflammation, which produces the fever, chills, and pain.
Diverticulosis is when you have diverticula. It is basically symptomless. Diverticulitis is when they are inflamed or infected; then the unfortunate symptoms reveal themselves.
This is another disease caused by "civilized" refined and junk foods. It is practically unknown in Third World nations, and was almost totally unknown before our century.
More than half of those over 60 in America have this problem.
In order to avoid the formation of those little pouches, always avoid constipation.
This is done by including enough roughage in your diet (fresh fruit and vegetables, bran, and other sources of fiber), and by drinking enough water, etc. (See "Constipation" for more information.) Psyllium seed and flaxseed also help soften the stools.
Have a bowel movement when you sense you ought to. Do not wait.
Obtain adequate exercise, especially out-of-doors.
Prunes, pureed fruit juices, and herb teas are very helpful.
Carrot, beet, celery, and green juices are excellent. Of the fruit juices, papaya, apple, pineapple, and lemon are outstanding for your purposes.
Chew nuts, seeds, and popcorn well, so they will be less likely to enter the diverticula.
Eat smaller meals.
Rats placed on high-fat diets, for 90 weeks, all developed colon diverticula.
Avoid caffeine products. They all tend to irritate the colon.
Do not eat a lot of sugar.
Smoking and stress make the symptoms worse.
Girdles, belts, and tight bands around the waist tend to increase abdominal pressure on the colon.
Helpful herbs include slippery elm, peppermint, chamomile, and aloe vera.
DURING AN ATTACKAs soon as an attack begins, give yourself a cleansing enema (2 quarts of water and the juice of a fresh lemon). Take 4 charcoal tablets with a large glass of water.
In case of pain or spasm in the colon, apply a heating pad over the abdomen.
During the acute phase of an attack, it may be best to eat a low-fiber diet for a short time. Then return to the high-fiber regime.
If the attack is severe, temporarily blend your food. Drink carrot, cabbage, and green juices.
To relieve pain, massage the abdomen on the left side. Stand up and stretch.
Try to have bowel movements on schedule. Take fiber first thing in the morning, and down a quart of water before breakfast.
Check your stools daily. If they are black, this means blood is present; take a sample to a physician.
ENCOURAGEMENTChrist's followers are to be more than a light in the midst of men. They are to be the light of the world. God calls you to be His representative, to minister to the needs of those around you. As you do this, your life will become marvelously fulfilled.
PROBLEMHaving taken enemas for a long time, you find you cannot have a bowel movement without taking another.
SOLUTIONA small, cold enema is especially useful in retraining the colon to evacuate normally by itself. Cold water has a bracing, strengthening, enlivening effect.
In hydrotherapy, the enema is considered cold if the temperature is 55-70o F.; whereas it is only cool if it is 70-80o F. The cold enema is a powerful stimulant to bowel movements and should be more generally used for this purpose instead of the warm enema. Use the cold enema to overcome both the enema habit and the cathartic habit (always needing a laxative).
Obtain an ear irrigation syringe from the drugstore, and inject one syringeful of cold water into the rectum. Hold it for one minute, and expel. A bowel movement will generally follow. Use this treatment at the same time every day, to establish a pattern of regularity.
LAXATIVE AGENTSLaxatives are supposed to promote bowel movements, but some only hinder it.
Bran, psyllium, and raw fruits and vegetables are bulk-forming agents, and are not referred to as "laxatives." They are ideal ways to promote bowel movements, and are safe to use on a long-term basis.
Mineral oil and docusate sodium are stool softening agents. If used at all, they should only be used temporarily. The mineral oil can damage the lungs, if inhaled, and absorbs fat-soluble vitamins in the digestive tract. Docusate sodium increases toxicity of other drugs, and may cause liver damage.
Salts are osmotic agents, which draw water into the bowel for a flush. These are safe if used only occasionally, but otherwise can initiate dependency. In addition, some people dare not take extra salts into their body. Examples include milk of magnesia, Epsom salts, and table salt.
Stimulant agents cause a laxative effect by irritating the intestinal walls and induce peristalsis. But they can result in dependency and can damage the bowels. Examples include various drugstore items; castor oil; senna; and laxative herbs, such as cascara sagrada.
ENCOURAGEMENTFriendship with God, what privilege can be greater? Study His Bible, pray often, and tell others how wonderful He is. Tell them that God is love. This can give them the peace and rest they so much want.