Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. Steroids and avoidance of trigger foods form the mainstay of treatment. A new study from Israel shows that nutrition is more important in management of these cases compared to steroids.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease and its more severe form, the ulcerative colitis, is inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Due to this, food digestion and absorption suffers. The inflammation itself also gives rise to symptoms of fever and malaise. Moreover, there are loose motions, bloody stools, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and malnutrition. Symptoms of specific nutritional deficiencies might also be seen in these cases.
The patient also has loss of appetite. Certain foods can trigger an outburst in these patients. And the disease is characterized by relapses and remissions. For flare-ups, steroids are given to suppress the inflammation process.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (Source: Wikipedia)US figures reveal that 90000 children and 1.3 million adults have this disease. The causes are unclear but genetic factors and immune system problems play a role. The disease has no cure and only certain foods elimination and steroids administration help to control the disease. In Israel, this disease incidence is rising. 0.6% of the population suffer from it. 17% get diagnosed in childhood and half of the kids show growth retardation.
The new study from Israel
There is a new study from Israel on this disease. It was a 15 year long study of these patients. The Children’s Gastroenterology Institute of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem conducted this study. It included children with diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in last 15 years. The researchers studied the effect of nutritional therapy vs steroids in the management of these cases in the first two years after the diagnosis of the illness.
Nutrition in Crohn’s disease (Source: very well health)785 children had Crohn’s disease diagnosis in last 15 years. 232 formed the study group. The findings revealed that a child managed with nutrition was less likely to require surgery in first two years of diagnosis. But those put on steroids needed a dosage increase of steroids. They also needed more biological drugs and surgical intervention.
Moreover, the steroid treated children needed more hospitalization. They had more growth faltering. While the nutrition treated children had improved growth indices. The latter group also had less anemia and higher protein levels in blood.
Conclusion of the study
The study sheds light on how nutrition fares better than drugs such as steroids in management of these cases. Hence, in the management of these cases, it is best to first start with diet change and healthy eating. Drugs should come only after this first step fails.
Steroids in Crohn’s disease (Source: Crohn’s and colitis canada)Also, read Ulcerative colitis: Advice for flare-ups and elimination foods!
The Institute is currently doing further studies on such cases. It has come up with a tasty and healthy diet for adults and kids suffering with this disorder. Those who are interested to form part of this study can contact the hospital doctors on it. 20 medical centers of Israel are part of this study and is recruiting participants for it. Some international hospitals are also part of it.