Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes inflammation in some parts of one’s digestive system. It can affect any part of the digestive tract. However, it typically involves the colon and small intestine. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are part of a group of conditions called IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition. But with the right remedies and treatments, individuals can enjoy an active, fulfilling life despite it.

Symptoms
When one has Crohn’s disease, a part of the large or small intestine may be affected. Sometimes, the condition is only in the colon, which is a part of the large intestine. Crohn’s disease signs can range from mild to severe. They develop gradually, but in certain cases, they may appear suddenly without any warning. There will also be days of zero symptoms. However, here are the symptoms that occur during a flare-up:

Fever
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Mouth sores
Blood in the stool
Abdominal cramping and pain
Reduced weight loss and appetite
Pain or drainage near or around the anus caused by inflammation from the fistula, a tunnel into the skin

Severe symptoms
Those with severe Crohn’s disease might experience signs beyond their intestinal tract. These include:

Kidney stones
Inflammation of the joints, eyes, and skin
Delayed sexual development or growth in children
Bile ducts or liver inflammation
Anemia or iron deficiency

Causes
While there is no exact cause determined for Crohn’s disease, some factors can aggravate one’s risk of developing the condition. These include:

Genes
Inflammatory bowel disease can be hereditary. So, if one has a sibling, parent, or any other family member with the disease, one’s susceptibility to getting the disease is also high. Several gene changes or mutations increase the probability of developing the condition.
Autoimmune diseases
The bacteria in the digestive tract may be responsible for triggering one’s body’s immune system into attacking the healthy cells. This can cause inflammation, which, in turn, leads to Crohn’s disease.

Treatment
The condition’s treatment involves surgery, nutritional supplements, and prescription remedies. The idea is to relieve symptoms, resolve nutritional issues, combat inflammation, and lower the intensity of the flare-ups. The treatment primarily depends on:

The issue’s severity
Where the inflammation occurs
Patient’s response to previous treatments
Any further complications

While some people can go for long, even years, without any symptoms (these are periods of remission), the issue typically will flare up again. Since the remission duration varies significantly, one cannot ascertain how long the remission will continue and the treatment’s effectiveness.

Natural remedies and treatment options for Crohn’s disease
Some people opt for complementary and alternative treatments for disease and symptom management. While the FDA has not approved this alternative, people may choose to opt for them in addition to their treatment regime. However, it is not recommended to add any new therapy to an ongoing treatment plan without consulting one’s doctor. Some common natural treatments as well as lifestyle changes that one may adopt are as follows:

Prebiotics
These are beneficial materials in plants like leeks, artichokes, bananas, and asparagus. They feed the good bacteria in the gut and boost their numbers.
Probiotics
These live bacteria can help rebuild and replace the good bacteria in the intestinal tract. Probiotics help prevent microorganisms from upsetting the natural balance in the gut and causing Crohn’s flare.
Acupuncture
It is a Chinese practice that involves strategically sticking the needles into the skin to stimulate the different points of the body. Studies suggest that moxibustion and acupuncture are two traditional remedies that work together to burn the dried herbs on or around your skin. Hence, they help in providing relief from Crohn’s disease.
Essential oils
Some essential oils can also help ease inflammation due to Crohn’s disease. These include patchouli oil (which helps with colitis symptoms, an inflammatory bowel condition similar to Crohn’s disease), lavender oil (helps regulate gut health in people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease), and peppermint oil (menthol present in this oil can help lower oxidative stress and inflammation).
Biofeedback
It is a mind-body technique that can be used to help prevent or treat conditions. The body’s electrical signals give details of the breathing, heart rate, brain, and other significant vitals. One can work with a therapist to control these functions by breathing a certain way or relaxing specific muscles. It can help one get one’s stress under control and keep Crohn’s symptoms at bay.
Increased hydration
When one does not consume enough fluids or when the body loses a lot of liquid, one may get dehydrated. It can happen when one suffers from frequent diarrhea, a Crohn’s disease symptom. So, people may opt to bolster their water intake by having lots of fruit juice, replacing the salts and sugar lost from the body with ORs, or having energy drinks.
Turmeric
It is a spice used commonly in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. Turmeric has curcumin in it, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that curcumin helps lower inflammation in the digestive tract and improves Crohn’s disease symptoms.