From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health.
Catalan Proverb
Absenger Cancer Education Foundation | ACEF
Helping cancer survivors feel better with yoga, meditation & qigong
From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health.
Catalan Proverb
Lets start off with viruses and bacteria from our last post. Most viruses and bacteria reproduce only as much, as to become a burden, if our immune system is compromised in some way. Genetics and aging have certainly the effect on the body which could foster disease. We can not deny the fact, that mental and emotional stress are also factors that will contribute to the environment in which viruses and bacteria will either strive or be dormant.
In my last post on Crohn's I pointed towards the relationship of stress and gastrointestinal problems. The questions begs to be asked: What is stress? Why do we have a stress response? What happens to the body during the stress response? In the following posts I will try to draw a picture why alternative and complementary medicine have different approaches to disease and illness. Lets start with our current, the allopathic, model of healthcare in the United States which states that the absence of organic disease determines length an quality of life. However, medical models in other parts of the world stress the importance of illness, defined as the discomfort or symptoms the patient experiences. The saying goes that an illness is what the patient has on the way to the doctor's office. ("I have pain all over and feel really sick.") A disease is what the patient has after the doctor's visit. ("I have the flu.")
In my last post about Crohn’s I mentioned that the adaptation of some type of relaxation program might be beneficial in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. There has been promising research in this field and the connection of gastrointestinal dysfunction and psychological disorders.
Crohn’s Disease, a Treatment Summary: The consumption of a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods which include whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. It further would include the ELIMINATION
Pancreatic Extracts and an Old Naturopathic Remedy
Pancreatic extracts can help reduce inflammation in IBD as well help digestion. Pancreatic insufficiency is characterized by impaired digestion, malabsorption, nutrient deficiency, and abdominal discomfort.
25K Reflections
As many of you might know I am an avid runner and just love to participate in all kinds of road races. Just yesterday, there was another road race I had the great fortune to participate in. The Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan, touted as the largest 25K in the country.
The Role of Zinc, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 in IB
These three nutrients deserve special mention since they are usually deficient in IBD patients.
Zinc Deficiency is a very well known complication of Crohn's disease. The causes are low dietary intake, poor absorption and excess losses through the stool. (1) Zinc deficiency occurs in approximately
The Elimination Diet
Oligoantigenic or elimination diets consist of foods which might have a lower incidence of producing allergic reactions. For a long time now people are aware of the connection between the development of IBD and food allergies and now there are some studies using an elimination diet in the treatment of IBD.(1-3) These studies show that an elimination diet should be the primary therapy in the treatment of chronic IBD.
The Elemental Diet
Very often the elemental diet can be used as a non-toxic alternative to corticosteroids as the primary treatment of acute IBD. (1-4) The elemental diet is one that contains all essential nutrients.
You made it all the way down here... So you probably want more great tips from us on how to make the best out of your survivorship experience...