What Is Crohn’s Disease?
People diagnosed as having Crohn’s disease often have a tendency to malnourishment, either as an effect of the inflammation or from changes that they have made to their diet. It is therefore necessary for anyone with the condition to plan their diet carefully.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 35. Symptoms of the disease usually fluctuate in severity and may include internal pain, fever, diarrhoea and weight loss.
The causes of Crohn’s disease are not fully understood. It may be an auto-immune response in which the body attacks its own intestinal tissue as the result of an infection or a reaction to stress or other environmental factors. It has been suggested that the high incidence of the disease amongst people who eat a highly processed Western style diet may be significant.
Crohn’s disease remains something of a mystery to the medical profession and as yet there is no cure. Effective medical treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory drugs. Many sufferers will require surgery to the most affected areas of the intestine at some time. poor nutrition may be a result of the inflammation, which can cause the walls of the intestine to become scarred and thickened, obstructing the passage of food. Patients can also suffer from a loss of appetite.
Pregnancy Children Vegetarianism
It is perfectly safe for pregnant women to follow a vegetarian diet if they contain foods that contain iron, calciun, folate and vitamin B12.
Vegan mothers-to-be may need to take calcium and vitamin B12 supplements but they should consult their doctor first.
Unless women are iron deficient during pregnancy, their babies will be born with enough iron in their bodies to last about six months. After that it is important to include good sources of iron in the child’s diet. Prolonged breastfeeding can lead to iron deficiency anaemia in the baby as milk is a poor source of iron.
Good vegetarian iron sources include leafy green vegetables, cereal, mashed lentils and beans.
Are Blueberries Healthy?
Unlike many berries which are so sour that they have to be cooked with sugar to make them edible, blueberries sre naturally sweet. They can be eaten raw and this preserves their vitamin C. Though they are a good source of the vitamin you will still need to eat almost 300g of them to meet the average adult’s daily requirement.
Traditionally the bluberries were dried and used to cure diarrhoea and food poisoning. Medical research now provides a scientific basis for such natural remedies, for they contain antibacterial compounds (anyhocyanins) which are particularly effective against some forms of E.coli.
Because blueberries inhibit bacteria such as E.coli (which can spread up the urinary tract to the bladder) they are a valuable aid against recurrent urinary tract infections such as cystitis. at the same time blueberries contain a substance which can prevent infectious bacteria from clinging to the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra.
Medical studies undetaken in the USA have suggested that blueberries may improve sight and provide protection against worsening vision, glaucoma, cataracts and similar disorders.
However like many other berry fruits blueberries are potential causes of allergic reactions, the most common symptoms of which are swelling of the lips and eyelids and an itchy swollen rash.
The Benefits Of Massage
We massage ourselves nearly every day. The natural reaction to reach out and touch a painful part of the body forms the basis of massage. As long ago as 3000 BC massage was used as a therapy in the Far East, making it one of the oldest treatments used by humans. In 5 BC in ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended that to maintain health, a massage using oils should be taken daily after a perfumed bath. Greek physicians were well used to treating people who suffered from pain and stiffness in the joints. The relaxation and healing powers of massage have been well documented over the past 5000 years.
The Benefits Of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water to heal and ease a variety of ailments and the water may be used in a variety of different ways. The healing properties of water have been recognised since ancient times, notably by the Greek, Roman and Turkish civilisations but also by people in Europe and China. Most people know the benefits of a hot bath in relaxing the body, relieving muscular aches and stiffness and helping to bring about restful sleep. Hot water or steam causes blood vessels to dilate, opens skin pores and stimulates perspiration, relaxing limbs and muscles. Cold water acts in the opposite way and is refreshing and invigorating. The cold causes blood vessels in the skin to constrict and blood is diverted to internal tissues and organs to maintain the core temperature of the body. Applications of cold water or ice reduce swelling and bruising and cause skin pores to close.
