Crohn’s Disease Diet – It is Quite Essential!
Crohn’s disease (CD) in children may lead to stunted growth and usually grow short. Due to inflammation of the digestive tract, the lower part of the small intestine, that is the ileum, gets affected. This ileum is highly responsible for absorption of vitamins in our body. When ileum is attacked, there is hardly any Vitamin B12 absorbed from the food consumed. As a result children suffer from anemia and lower blood count. This disease is seen across all ages but studies have shown that it is more common in people of the age group 20 to 30 years.
CD affects the gastrointestinal tract and any region right from the mouth to anus. The inflammation of the digestive tract results in abdominal pain, fever, rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes/mouth, gallstones, kidney stones and diarrhea. Diseases of the liver and biliary system are also common in those suffering from CD. Such problematic symptoms reduce when the digestive system problems are resolved.
One has to address the nutritional complications which are common. Lack of proteins, vitamins and calories are quite evident. This might be due to insufficient dietary consumption, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals, intestinal loss of protein. A proper diet which is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals should be consumed. One must cultivate the habit of eating small frequent meal rather than less frequent big meals. Your body needs to digest this food, it is better when it is small.
A general physician may suggest food rich in protein and vitamin b16 or other nutritional supplements for children whose growth has been stunted. You can also consume high-calorie liquid formulas as a supplement. Some times, a small tube is inserted into the vein of the arm and the patient is fed intravenously. This is helpful for those patients whose intestines cannot absorb enough nutrition from food and their intestines need to rest. They can’t consume any solid food. This way one is fed with extra nutrition temporarily. Care should be taken not to consume hot spices, bulky grains, alcohol or other milk products. This leads to diarrhea and abdominal cramping.