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Although both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis can appear clinically very similar:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation resulting in symptoms of:
.These symptoms may be mild or severe. It may gradually develop from an initial minor discomfort, or else may present suddenly with acute intensity.
Increasing evidence point to an important role for inflammatory cytokines (i.e. messengere compounds) for the pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease. One such cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role.
One study showed that the release of TNF-alpha by inflamed Crohn's Disease tissues can be significantly reduced by Lactobacillus casei or Lactobacillus bulgaricus supplements.
Dr Richard Fedorak MD of University of Alberta advocates the use of probiotics in IBD. At a symposium during Digestive Disease Week he spoke about the 3 components of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
Dr Fedorak explains how different strains of probiotics have different effects. They differ in how well the adhere to epithelium, how well they fight bacteria and how they regulate the immune system. Lactobacilli are able to survive the Upper GI tract much better thatn bifido bacteria, but bifido bacteria are better at destoying pathogenic bacteria.
He goes on to explain the mechanism for probiotics in IBD. "Bacteria adhere to the lining of the colon - like icing on a cake. Probiotics are able to negotiate through this layer of bacteria and layer themselves against the epithelium surface. They prevent bacteria for adhering to or crossing the epithelium."
Extensive studies on VSL#3, Culturelle and OMX Probiotic 12+ indicate their effective use and benefit to reduce Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Therapeutic doses may be necessary.
Feature |
Ulcerative Colitis |
Crohn's Disease |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Diffuse, distal predominance | Segmental or diffuse, often proximal predominance |
| Rectum | Always involved | Often spared |
| Microscopic Distribution | Diffuse | Often focal |
| Depth of Inflammation | Mucosal | Transmural |
| Sinus Tracts and Fistulae | Absent | Often present |
| Strictures | Absent | Often present |
| Granulomas | Absent | Often present |
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is believed to develop as a "gut" reaction to intestinal dysbiosis
--chronic imbalances in the microbial flora that set off a chain of pathogenic events.
A damaged intestinal mucosa triggers and perpetuates Iinflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) by allowing a steady stream of antigens and toxins to continually confront the immune system.
A simple stool test is able to confirm the presence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. See Great Smokies CDSA and Parasitology 2.0
Infectious causes for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) generally have a more acute onset and run a shorter course than other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Bacterial organisms that can produce Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD include Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and some E. coli. Bacteria are a common cause of acute colitis. Viral causes include Norwalk-like virus and rotavirus (small bowel) as well as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus in immune compromised people. Other causes include chlamydial infection and amebiasis.
Antibiotic-associated Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can occur from therapy with broad spectrum antibiotics leading to overgrowth of Clostridium difficile or other organisms such as Candida. This produces a toxin that causes damage to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. Dr Ohhira OMX 12 plus probiotics is resistant to Clostridium Difficile.
Because certain infectious organisms produce symptoms very similar to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), testing for other possible causes, like parasites, is strongly recommended. Many Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms produced by chronic inflammatory immune response may be significantly reduced by addressing imbalances of essential fatty acids. Levels of zinc, iron, copper and other crucial minerals are often deficient in patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Allergic immune reactions to food particles may play an important role in the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms. Low levels of important amino acids can cause aggravated inflammatory responses. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is also associated with malabsorption of nutrients. Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs offers assessments that specifically target the physiological mechanisms associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), allowing for a more precise treatment strategy to help prevent development and halt progression of the disease. The CDSA 2.0 test gives you insight into your digestive function and gut microbial ecology.
This easy-to-administer home stool test offers a noninvasive differential diagnosis between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), expanded bacteria, yeast and parasite detection, a reliable assessment of exocrine pancreatic function, and a noninvasive risk assessment for colorectal cancer. If bacteria, yeast or parasites are detected, they may be grown out to establish which natural products will inhibit their growth.
Recent research conducted by Dr. Marcel A. Behr, of the Research Institute of the MUHC and McGill University, has provided new insight into the curious mutation of NOD2 gene, a mutation that is found in 25% of Crohn's disease patients. It is not precisely known how this mutation influences the disease.