IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease)

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be challenging; we want you know that there is hope for improving your symptoms and quality of life.

 

IBD is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that includes Crohn disease and Ulcerative Colitis. While conventional treatments can be effective, some patients have found success with functional medicine as an alternative approach.

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Regionally North America has the highest prevalence of IBD (422.0 cases per 100,000 population). 

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Risk factors:

• Smoking is a risk factor for Crohn disease but not UC. 

• Exercise is protective for Crohn disease, but not for UC. 

• High fiber diets are associated with lower rates for Crohn disease, but not UC. 

• Antibiotic use is associated with a higher risk of developing IBD

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Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that aims to address the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in your body that contribute to IBD. Here are some key factors related to IBD that modrn med practitioners consider:

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1. Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of IBD and can cause damage to the digestive tract. Modrn med practitioners have additional natural remedies and supplements to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

2. Infection and immune response: Infection and changes in the immune system’s response have been identified in the development of IBD. It is believed that there may be an inappropriate immune response to the gut microbiome that leads to the development of IBD. 

3. Intestinal Permeability: Changes in intestinal permeability (also known as "leaky gut") have been linked to IBD (1-4). Modrn med practitioners can help restore the gut lining and improve gut function.

4. Microbiome: Changes in the diversity and density of the gut microbiome may also be implicated in IBD (5). 

5. Genetics: Certain genes increase a person's risk of developing IBD. For instance, a person who has one mutant NOD2 allele has up to a 3.7-fold increase in risk of developing Crohn disease, while someone who inherits two mutant NOD2 alleles has up to a  40-fold increase in risk in developing Crohn disease (6-7). 

6. Mental Health: It is important to note that individuals with IBD have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Modrn med practitioners understand the impact that mental health can have on physical health and take a whole-person approach to treatment.

 

Treatment options:

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Modrn med practitioners are not limited to medication only treatment options. We use a wide variety of treatments to keep IBD in remission including:

• Herbs, vitamins, minerals

• Fecal microbiota transplantation (there are limitations on this due to legality in the US, talk to your modrn doctor about the options). 

• Dietary recommendations 

• Lifestyle recommendations

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If you are interested in exploring functional medicine as an approach to managing your IBD, please don't hesitate to schedule a complimentary consult with one of our doctors. We can work together to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs.

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Sources: 

1. PMID 6192143 2. PMID 10535871 3. PMID 3065154 4. PMID 8099141 5. PMID 16188921 6. PMID 11425413 7. PMID 15571588