Nutrition Tips for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is Inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, describes a group of conditions that are chronic and cause inflammation in the digestive system.

Types of Inflammatory bowel disease? 

There are two primary forms of IBD. They are:

• Ulcerative Colitis: This type of IBD is characterised by inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum, which can cause bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping.
• Crohn’s Disease: This kind of IBD may affect any area of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus, causing inflammation, discomfort, diarrhoea, weight loss, and tiredness.

What are the signs and symptoms of Inflammatory bowel disease?

• Abdominal pain and cramping: People with IBD often experience abdominal pain and cramping, usually in the lower-right part of the abdomen. The pain may come and go or be persistent, depending on the severity of inflammation.
• Diarrhoea: Diarrhea is a frequent IBD symptom that may vary from mild to severe.
• Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of IBD and can be caused by anaemia (an iron deficiency) as well as by the inflammation itself.
• Unexplained weight loss: Weight loss can occur due to malabsorption, which is when the body fails to absorb enough nutrients from food due to inflammation in the intestines, or due to a lack of appetite as a result of illness or medication side effects.
• Fever: A fever can be an indication of infection, which can occur in people with IBD due to complications from inflammation in the intestines.
• Rectal bleeding: Rectal bleeding can occur when there is inflammation in the rectum or large intestine, which is common in people with IBD.

What are possible complications of Inflammatory bowel disease?

• Perforation: This is a serious complication of IBD that occurs when a hole forms in the intestine, leading to infection of the abdominal cavity. This can be caused by inflammation and weakened areas of the intestines.
• Malnutrition: Patients with IBD can experience malnutrition due to the inability to absorb nutrients from food properly and due to loss of appetite. Malnutrition can lead to other complications such as anaemia, fatigue, and weight loss.
• Bowel obstruction: This is a blockage in the intestines that prevents food from passing through, leading to abdominal pain and cramping. It can be caused by inflammation, scar tissue build-up, or narrowing of the intestines due to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Fistula: This is an abnormal connection between two organs or parts of the body that occurs due to inflammation in IBD patients and can cause infection or abscesses in rare cases.
• Kidney stones: These are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys due to mineral buildup from dehydration, which can be caused by IBD-related diarrhoea and vomiting.

Nutrition Tips for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients is important for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Smaller, more frequent meals may aid with symptom management.
• Include probiotic-rich foods such as yoghurt, kefir and kombucha in your diet to support gut health and reduce inflammation.
• By consuming more fish, especially mackerel and salmon, you may increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Be hydrated throughout the day by consuming enough fluids to support regular bowel movements.

Here are some ayurvedic remedies to cure IBS:

• Kshara sutra therapy: This Ayurvedic treatment involves the insertion of medicated threads made up of herbs like haritaki and pippali into the affected areas of the intestine to reduce inflammation and heal ulcers.
• Abhyanga: This Ayurvedic massage with herbal oils can help improve digestion and provide relief from some of the symptoms associated with IBD, such as cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.
• Panchakarma: This detoxifying therapy helps in clearing toxins from the body through emesis, purgation, enemas and nasal drops. It also helps in reducing inflammation and relieving pain associated with IBD.
• Diet modifications: A diet that is low in fat, high in fibre, and full of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains can help reduce inflammation in the gut and also provide essential nutrients for healing. Avoiding spicy food, caffeine and alcohol is also advisable for people suffering from IBD.
• Herbal remedies: Herbal remedies such as amalaki, ashwagandha, guduchi, turmeric, ginger etc., can be used to reduce inflammation caused by IBD as well as strengthen the digestive system to fight off infection or parasites that may be contributing to its symptoms.
• Yoga: Certain yoga poses such as paschimottanasana (forward bend), siddhasana (perfect pose), balasana (child's pose) etc., help stimulate digestion and reduce stress which can aggravate some of the symptoms associated with IBD like diarrhoea or constipation.
• Steam therapy: Steam therapy helps relax the digestive system leading to better digestion which helps reduce abdominal pain caused by IBD.
• Basti treatment: In this treatment an herbal decoction or oil is administered via enema into the rectum which helps reduce inflammation in the bowels caused by IBD as well as relieve abdominal discomfort due to gas or constipation associated with it.
• Jatyadi oil massage: Massaging with jatyadi oil helps increase blood circulation in the abdomen area which provides relief from cramps & pain resulting from inflammation caused by IBD.
• Nasya karma: It involves administering medicated oils into the nose which help clear toxins accumulated in the head & neck region due to poor digestion leading to reduced stress levels & improved immunity which ultimately helps manage inflammatory bowel disease.

If none of the aforementioned approaches work, you could think about having surgery.

What are the surgical treatments for Inflammatory bowel disease?

• Laparoscopic Ileocolic Resection: Typically, Crohn's disease is treated with this procedure. It entails removing a section of the large intestine as well as the ileum, the last part of the small intestine.
• Colectomy: Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease, are treated with this operation. It entails removing the whole or a portion of the large intestine.
• Ileostomy: This procedure is used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and involves creating an artificial opening in the abdomen to allow waste material to exit from the body into an external pouch.
• Strictureplasty: This procedure is used to treat Crohn’s disease and involves widening a narrowed or structured area in the intestines so that food can pass through more easily.
• Bowel resection: This procedure is used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and involves removing a section of damaged intestine from either the small or large intestine due to inflammation or obstruction caused by scar tissue and adhesions.

Best doctors to consult for Inflammatory bowel disease?

• Gastroenterologist: A gastroenterologist is an expert in digestive system illnesses including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They can assist you in managing your symptoms and developing an individualised treatment plan as they've obtained specialised training in the diagnosis and management of IBD.
• Primary Care Physician: Your primary care physician is a great place to start if you think you may have IBD. They can provide general advice on managing your symptoms, refer you to specialists if needed, and coordinate care with other health professionals involved in your care.
• Colorectal Surgeon: A colorectal surgeon specialises in surgeries related to the digestive system, including those for IBD. If you require surgery to treat your IBD, a colorectal surgeon can provide the best possible care tailored specifically to your condition.
• Nutritionist or Dietitian: A nutritionist or dietitian can help you create an individualised diet plan that meets your nutritional needs while helping to manage symptoms of IBD. They can also provide guidance on food choices that may help reduce inflammation or other digestive issues related to IB.