Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, or the gastrointestinal tract. It is also known as regional enteritis. It can affect any part of the gut, from the mouth to the anus. In a majority of cases of Crohn’s disease, the lower part of the small intestine, which is known as the ileum, is affected. It is caused by interactions between environmental, immunological and bacterial factors in genetically susceptible individuals. This results in a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms
This disorder causes a wide variety of symptoms. Primarily, it causes abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss and diarrhea, which may be bloody if the inflammation is at its worst. Apart from these symptoms, Crohn’s disease may also cause complications that have nothing to do with the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, and inflammation of the eye, fatigue and lack of concentration.
Treatment
There have been numerous tests and studies that have shown Omega 3 fish oil is helpful in preventing symptoms of the disorder. In one particular year long study, 69 per cent of Crohn’s patients who used fish oil supplements stayed symptom free as opposed to 28 per cent who were administered a placebo.In a majority of cases of Crohn’s disease, the lower part of the small intestine, which is known as the ileum, is affected.
Although results are positive, it is still not safe to say that fish oil is a cure-all for Crohn’s disease. A lot more research needs to be conducted to see how helpful it is on different levels of severity. Self-prescribing fish oil supplements must be avoided. It must be taken only with the advice and supervision of a physician as it can thin blood and cause excessive bleeding. More and more people are opting for these supplements to treat the disorder as anti-inflammatory drugs come with many side-effects.
Overall Benefits
Although fish oil is more known to be a great weight loss supplement, there are many benefits that come with it. Our overall health can improve with the intake of fish oil supplements. Listed below are some of the benefits:
lowers blood triglyceride levels
reduces the risk of heart attack
reduces the risk of dangerous abnormal heart rhythms
reduces the risk of strokes
slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques
lowers blood pressure
reduces stiffness and joint tenderness associated with Rheumatoid arthritis.
