What is the difference between malabsorption and malnutrition?

Malabsorption occurs when the small intestine loses its ability to absorb the nutrients and vitamins from the food that you eat.

Malnutrition is an end result of malabsorption, when your body is unable to take in enough nutrients to maintain good health.

Malnutrition can also happen if one don’t eat enough or eat only junk food.

Patients with Crohn’s disease often live with dietary restrictions that make it difficult to eat a well balanced diet. Vitamins come from a various food groups, eating a restricted diet may reduce the intake of the recommended daily allotment of vitamins.

Should one take oral vitamins supplements?

The answer is not necessarily.

If Crohn’s disease affected certain part of the intestine, the intestine is unable to absorbed the vitamin, by taking oral vitamin will not help.

For example vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum, when the ileum is unable to absorb vitamin B12, the deficiency is not caused by a lack of dietary vitamin B12 but rather from an inability to absorb vitamin B12. In this case, oral vitamin B12 tablet is not effective!

One must find an alternative way like regular injection or application of nasal gel.

It is not necessarily that by taking oral vitamin supplement will solve the vitamin deficiency problem, but one must identify the cause and find alternatives.

The best way is to consult your local medical personal to help you to identify which is the best method for you.

It been noted that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis tend to run in families. Although studies have shown that perhaps 15% to 20% of affected individuals may have a close relative with one of these diseases, there does not seem to be any clear-cut pattern to family inheritance.

• Caucasians are more prone to Crohn’s disease than any other racial groups. They are followed by blacks, Hispanics, and Asians.

• The highest incidence of Crohn’s disease in the United States is found among Ashkenazi Jews (of Eastern European descent).

• Scientists have already identified one gene, called NOD2 / CARD 15, which is involved in at least 20% of Crohn’s cases. Researchers are actively working to identify other genes that influence the tendency to develop IBD.

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There’s one very important thing to know about irritable bowel syndrome - it’s not in your head; it’s a real, treatable disease.

People with IBS typically have abdominal pain with diarrhea, constipation or both. The cause remains a mystery, but the prevailing theory is that prolonged physical or psychological stress triggers the condition in genetically susceptible people. There are drugs to treat IBS, and lifestyle changes also help. Working out regularly and eating smaller, more frequent meals can keep your gastrointestinal (GI) tract operating smoothly.

Many people with IBS also find relief through Yoga, Tai-Chi, psychotherapy, hypnosis or antidepressants. Both Yoga and Tai chi are a series of gentle movements that can bring about stress reduction, improved balance and many other health benefits. These exercises although simple and easy, have significant curative effects. Thousands of practitioners of these techniques have overcome their physical and mental problems and have achieved happiness and peace of mind.

RTJ

The last whole grain you had was the butter-smothered popcorn at the movies last week`? Well, you can stop wondering why all your efforts in the bathroom are going nowhere: You need more fiber. Go ahead and try a laxative or stool softener to get things moving. But be careful not to use laxatives regularly; the muscle lining in your bowel can become dependent on the drug’s stimulation. To prevent future bottlenecks, drink plenty of’ water, maintain your exercise routine and shoot for 25 grams of fiber a day. Whole grains, beans, fruit and veggies can help you get there. If you have severe pain or if your belly looks swollen, rush to the doctor.

RTJ

The fish and chips! It must be the fish and chips! The signs of food poisoning are all too obvious: diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

1.      To get better, let your body naturally expel the toxins. Medications are OK for the occasional case of diarrhea, but it’s best to skip them (or at least check with your doctor first) if you suspect food poisoning.

2.      If you can keep anything down, sip clear liquids, like lime juice or eat porridge to prevent dehydration.

3.      Regardless, you should feel much better within 24 hours. If you’re still throwing up or having diarrhea after a day or if you develop a fever, you may have a more serious bacterial or viral infection, so consult your doctor.

RTJ

The low residue (fiber) diet is designed to avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and to decrease bowel movements.

This diet may also be used postoperatively in the progression of a regular diet.

These are the dietary guidelines:
* Avoid whole-grain products with added bran
* Buy breads and cereals made from refined wheat and rice.
* Do not eat food made with seeds, nuts, and raw or dried fruit
* Remove skin from vegetables and fruits before cooking
* Marinate meats in juice or wine for added flavor
* Season with spices and herbs for added flavor and variety
* Limit milk and milk products to 2 cups daily

There are other methods that one can use to reduce the dietary fiber, just use a blender to puree the cooked vegetables; use canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds; consume only well-cooked tender meats.

How long do you need to follow these dietary guidelines for low residue diet ? The low residue diet may be used for a short period of time or on a temporary basis only. It may also be recommended as a transitional diet. Once your symptoms disappear, gradually introduce regular foods back into your diet.

Do not stay with low residue diet for long period unless advise by your doctor. You must always try to go back to normal diet once your symptoms disappear.

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Smoking and Crohn’s disease (Part 3)

This information can help you tremendously to improve your health. You may want to consider making it your goal to quit smoking. This may seem hard to do if you have been a long time smoker.

Many people have overcome this habit however with the help of smoking patches, anti smoking chewing gum or pills.Others simply were able to convince themselves that this is the first step in the right direction. They have been determined to quit smoking.

When you quit smoking, you may not have to experience a painful relapse as frequently and you could very well improve your overall condition.Along with the right diet, avoiding certain food groups like dairy and spicy foods, you may be able to experience better days ahead.

 (DC)

Pain, diarrhea, bloody stool and nausea are most common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. These symptoms can also cause ulcers, abscesses and fistulas. More often these symptoms and effects can cause some problem.

Intestinal obstruction is the most common problem that occurs in Crohn’s patients. Scar tissue forms and causes a thickening of the bowl wall which narrows the intestinal passage. Severe cramping in the abdomen and vomiting are the symptoms. Bloating and distention of the abdomen are most likely.

Ulcers are another problem with Crohn’s disease. The ulcers form in the intestinal tract. Ulcers can cause fistulas. These fistulas are like tunnels that form and connect one part of the intestine to another or the intestine to other organs such as the bladder, the vagina or the skin. Fistulas often become infected.

Nutritional deficiencies or even malnutrition can be another problem. Because nutrients from food are not absorbed well, patients cannot get sufficient nutrition. Deficiencies of proteins and vitamins are common. Nutritional supplements, containing both vitamins and minerals are available in concentrated form and in the form of injections, as well. Watch out for dehydration as it is always associated with Crohn’s disease patients.

RTJ

Smoking and Crohn’s disease (Part 2)

Even though there is no known cure for this disease, you can actually now do something to stop from getting more frequent flare ups. And to quit smoking may even prevent you from having to take stronger medications.

If you are a smoker, this may be some good news for you.
Among the people with Crohn’s disease who are smoking currently, the incidents of a relapse and repeated surgery is higher.

Persons with Crohn’s disease who were smoking also needed to take more often steroids and immunosuppressive drugs than their nonsmoking counterparts.

Smoking has also been known as a risk factor in many other inflammatory and chronic diseases.

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Ginger has been shown to aid digestion and improve circulation. Recent studies have also demonstrated it can act as an anti-inflammatory. Some may find the ginger taste is too strong and difficult to consume. There are some suggestions to let you enjoy ginger drinks.
Extract the ginger juice from the root. To extract the ginger juice, take about 3 inches of ginger root, lightly mash ginger under a metal object in a brass or steel cup or a mortar. Drop the mashed ginger into the boiling water; boil for at least half an hour. The amount of boiling water will determine the strength of the ginger water.

When the ginger water is ready strain with a sieve and you will get a pot of hot ginger water. You have a few options here, you may want to add some sugar to have a sweet ginger drink or you can add it into boiled milk, or mix with fruit juice to make it milder or you can make a ginger honey lemon tea.

If you have a good juicer, you can simply add about a half inch piece to the juice you are making. It works well with orange, lime and apple. Put two oranges, two green apples, one lime makes and the ginger into the juicer, it makes two good sized glasses of juice. You can increase or decrease the amount of ginger to taste.

Ginger is good to stimulate the digestive system; the best time is to consume the ginger early in the morning as the morning wake up drink followed by some light food.

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