Overview

Have you been experiencing abdominal cramping or watery stool? Or do you feel discomfort every time you eat meals containing wheat products? An integrative IBD therapy session with us might be just what you need for overall wellness. Here's everything to know about the different forms of IBD.

What is Crohn's, Celiac's, and Ulcerative Colitis?

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a chronic condition that causes constant inflammation to the intestines. Patients with IBD can have symptoms that affect multiple parts of the digestive tract, starting at the mouth. Some common forms of IBD include:

• Crohn's Disease, which is known primarily for the transmural lesions that give the bowels a cobblestone-like appearance due to ulcers. It can occur in any section of the gastrointestinal tract
• Ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation of the mucosa layer of the colon or large intestine
• Celiac's Disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the villi of the small intestine brought on by the patient's inability to digest gluten

What Are the Symptoms of Crohn's, Celiac's, and Ulcerative Colitis?

Patients with IBD may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• cramping
• frequent diarrhea, sometimes watery (in the case of Celiac's)
• bloody stool
• inability to absorb important electrolytes and nutrients resulting in anemia and weight loss
• flattening of the small intestinal villi
• fever

What Are the Benefits of Integrative Treatments for Crohn's, Celiac's, and Ulcerative Colitis?

There are multiple benefits to undergoing integrative treatments for managing Crohn's Disease, Celiac's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. Integrative therapies not only reduce the risk of surgery but improve the quality of life and reduce stress for patients with IBD. A patient's diet may play a major role in the onset of IBD, and dietary changes, whether they be an elimination diet or following a FODMAP diet, can reduce inflammation, change the gut flora, and improve healing.

Other common integrative therapies for patients with IBD may include:

• Naturopathy
• Acupuncture
• Mind-body therapies like yoga, hypnosis, and meditation
• Herbal supplements
• Cognitive behavior therapy, for stress management and to reduce anxiety and depression

What to Expect During an Integrative Crohn's, Celiac's, and Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

If you've never had an integrative IBD therapy session before, you might be wondering what to expect during your first appointment. A gastroenterologist or other trained physician at Chris Strickland will begin by asking you a series of comprehensive health questions to determine your current health, as well as symptoms you may be experiencing.

From there, a physical exam will be conducted, as well as some diagnostic tests to determine the presence of IBD, such as an endoscopy, biopsy, or various imaging scans. Your complete diet and lifestyle habits will also be noted, as well as any medications you may be taking.

Your doctor may prescribe several forms of treatment like dietary changes, herbal supplements, regular yoga, and meditation classes. These can help address your symptoms, increase overall levels of wellness, and allow your intestines to heal independently.

For more information about our integrative approaches to managing Crohn's, Celiac's, and ulcerative colitis, contact Chris Strickland at (706) 769-9779.