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Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Is It?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is one name for two very similar diseases, both of which cause destructive swelling and inflammation in the intestinal tract. The two conditions, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, are characterized by nearly identical symptoms—this makes it difficult for even trained professionals to distinguish between them. Nearly one and a half million people in the United States alone suffer from one of these two diseases.22 Both of these diseases can produce especially gruesome effects in young children because one of the hallmark symptoms is persistent, bloody diarrhea. Loss of blood can quickly lead to anemia, malnourishment, and ultimately even stunted development of a growing mind and body. Moreover, witnessing blood in a child’s stool can obviously cause a great deal of concern for any parent. Crohn’s Disease causes severe inflammation and swelling deep within the lining of the digestive tract. The swelling can be so painful that it forces the intestines to expel waste prematurely in the form of loose stool or diarrhea. While Crohn’s most commonly affects the intestines, it can also affect other portions of the digestive tract such as the mouth and stomach. In some cases, multiple sections of the digestive tract can be inflamed while the areas between them remain perfectly healthy. What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease? The two most widely reported symptoms of Crohn’s disease are diarrhea and abdominal pain along the right side. Other symptoms of Crohn’s disease may include weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, fever, and rectal bleeding (chronic bleeding can lead to anemia). Crohn’s disease is arguably the more severe of the two forms of IBD. Up to seventy-five percent of the people who suffer from Crohn’s are advised to undergo surgery at least once; however “…Crohn’s cannot be cured with surgery. Even if the diseased portion of the intestine is removed, the inflammation can reappear in a previously unaffected portion of the intestine.”

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Who is at risk for Diverticular Disease?

Diverticular disease becomes more common as people age. In fact, almost seventy percent of the population will develop Diverticular disease by the age of eighty-five.18 Again, the constant bombardment of colon toxins (especially from food) contributes to an increased risk for developing this condition. How Does Regular Body Cleansing Relieve and Prevent Diverticular Disease? • Eliminates built-up toxins which may be stored in Diverticular pouches. • Rids the intestinal walls of the harmful bacteria and yeast causing Diverticulitis (infection and inflammation). • Prevents the diverticuli from becoming infected and swollen. • Helps relieve constipation (which contributes to the develop- ment of Diverticular Disease). • Strengthens the intestinal walls to prevent thinning, weakening, and bulging. • Decreases transit time, thereby reducing exposure of the bowel lining to toxic irritants. • Helps restore proper bowel function, which also lowers the chances of developing Diverticulitis. • Encourages growth of beneficial bacteria

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Who is at risk for IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs about thirty percent more often in women than in men,14 and it tends to begin in early adulthood. Genetics may play a role since many people who suffer from IBS have relatives who also have IBS. It can be quite difficult to diagnose this condition because there are no indications presented during a standard colon examination. Instead, doctors are forced to rely entirely upon the medical history provided by the patient. Not everyone who has IBS seeks treatment due to embarrassment, economic difficulties (no insurance), lack of health education, etc. And thus, this is one of the most often misdiagnosed conditions. “One challenge of population-based IBS studies is ensuring that IBS is accurately diagnosed using specific, validated criteria, rather than the clinical judgment of health care professionals.”15

How Does Regular Colon Cleansing Help Relieve and Prevent IBS? • Eliminates built up toxins and rids the intestinal walls of yeast and harmful bacteria (this sets the stage for rebalan- cing your intestinal flora with beneficial bacteria). People with IBS lack beneficial probiotic bacteria in their bowels. • Helps relieve stress and anxiety, which contribute to flare- ups of IBS. • Helps calm the irritated and overactive nerves in the intestinal tract thereby reducing inflammation associated with IBS. C hapter 3 43 • Decreases transit time to reduce the constant irritation of the bowel lining. • Helps relieve abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and pain associated with IBS. Diverticular Disease: What Is It? As we age, the lining of our intestines becomes thin and loses elasticity and strength. Small pouches of tissue, ranging in diameter from five to more than twenty millimeters, known as diverticula’ bulge through these weak areas. Nearly one-third of adult Americans have at least a few of these pouches in their intestines, and some studies estimate as much as sixty percent of the elderly population has them.16 The condition of having these small pouches is referred to as Diverticulosis. For the most part, Diverticulosis goes unnoticed. But in about onefifth of the cases, the pouches become irritated or infected and this is referred to as Diverticulitis. The infected pouches can make bowel movements very painful, which can lead to chronic constipation and other health complications.

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What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

IBS, also called “spastic colon,” affects about fourteen percent of American adults.12 It is characterized by mild but persistent problems in the gut. IBS symptoms may even pose long-term danger to the colon, and IBS can seriously interfere with the everyday lives of people with the condition. In most cases, the triggers and symptoms of IBS can be managed through a combination of dietary and lifestyle improvements along with consistent colon cleansing. What are the symptoms of IBS? Abdominal discomfort and bloating are the most commonly reported complaints, but a number of other symptoms are also regularly documented. Some people are chronically constipated and report straining to have a bowel movement. Some people experience diarrhea, which is on the opposite end of the “bowel movement spectrum,” and still other people experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Moreover, people with IBS frequently suffer from depression and anxiety, which can worsen their symptoms. Similarly, the symptoms associated with IBS can cause a person to feel depressed and anxious, so the cycle repeats itself.