8 foods to avoid for managing Crohn’s

8 foods to avoid for managing Crohn’s

Crohn’s, an inflammatory bowel disease, causes tissue swelling in the digestive tract. Common consequences are abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and weight loss. Although some foods warn your intestine, flaring up the disease. Thus, a Crohn’s-balanced meal is essential. It is highly significant to promote the healing of the intestine during Crohn’s. Avoiding the following products will reduce many gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, here is the list of food items you need to avoid for Crohn’s.

Dairy products
Research studies show that Crohn’s patients tend to be intolerant to lactose intake. It follows that lactose digestion does not take place. This could result in cramping or bloating as symptoms. Therefore, it is better to avoid sugar in milk, and also steer clear of any dairy products (cheese, butter, curd).

Spicy food
Spicy foods are a trigger for worsening Crohn’s disease. Foods that are wholesome in spices can cause more pain for you than relief. There are certain spices that tend to irritate the intestinal lining. So it is better to look for alternatives like mild herbs or juices for flavors.

Greasy or fried foods
Fried foods lead to cramping and loose stools in people with Crohn’s. The fat from such foods is not entirely absorbed in intestinal linings. A better alternative would be to always go for baked or broiled foods in your meal to treat Crohn’s. Also, avoiding junk food is an excellent rule for people with Crohn’s.

High fiber foods
Fibers from whole grains, vegetables, or fruits are good for a regular meal. However, people with Crohn’s are not fit to digest these heavy foods. They must choose refined bread in a modified meal plan instead of the usual one. This practice can help in keeping Crohn’s symptoms away.

Gluten-rich foods
A large proportion of Crohn’s patients have celiac. Therefore, they should go for refined bread instead of whole grain bread. Wheat-based products are better than alternatives for whole grains. However, people with active Crohn’s symptoms cannot digest the included gluten.

Seeds and nuts
Raw nuts are instrumental in worsening swelling in people with Crohn’s. Nuts are rich in proteins, but are difficult to digest. This makes it hard for people with Crohn’s to assimilate them. Seeds, too, harm the stomach’s ability since they will not digest while passing through the tract. Thus, avoiding foods with seeds like raspberries, tomatoes, or chia is advisable.

Raw vegetables and fruits
Fresh vegetables in raw form can fill a patient with high fiber to digest. Moreover, it can also cause gas. So, try eliminating raw plant products from the meal. The high fiber-rich foods can exacerbate diarrhea in cases of increased Crohn’s symptoms. It is better to switch to cooked or boiled vegetables without skins.

Meat and proteins
Meats have a higher fat concentration. An individual with Crohn’s must avoid meat so that the flare-up does not exaggerate. It is better to try removing red meat, dark meat, or sausages from the meal plan.

Conclusion
A well-balanced meal plan may help prevent Crohn’s flare-ups. However, there are foods and drinks that can affect a person with Crohn’s differently. This indicates that while one food might cause uneasiness in some people, for others it might not. In general, if you know that a certain type of food is causing you discomfort, you should immediately put it off your list and see if your symptoms improve. If at all you plan to resume eating the same foods and the symptoms resume, it is better to avoid them entirely.
So, now you’re aware of the foods you should avoid to keep Crohn’s at bay. All the above foods, if not avoided, will result in severe complications.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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5 kinds of foods that can trigger eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophils are white blood cells that circulate in the blood and help the immune system fight diseases. An abnormally high count of these cells can trigger inflammation and affect other organs in the body. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic reaction where the inflammation affects the esophagus, forcing the passage to become constricted and develop rings or abnormal abscesses. One way to counter this reaction is to eliminate certain foods from the nutrition regimen. Common discomforts of eosinophilic esophagitis Patients may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, chest pain, or heartburn. This reaction can also make it difficult to swallow food. Food can get stuck in the esophagus due to inflammation and constricted passages if the symptoms are left unchecked. Foods that trigger eosinophilic esophagitis This kind of allergic reaction is caused by one of these common trigger foods: Dairy products Dairy products and ingredients derived from them can trigger or worsen the symptoms. This includes milk, condensed milk, buttermilk, artificial cream, margarine, cheese, ice cream, sour cream, and even some forms of mayonnaise. Casein, lactose, lactoglobulin, lactalbumin, milk powders, milk sugars, milk solids, and whey proteins commonly used in recipes are also potential triggers to eliminate or consume in moderation as per the doctor's advice. Acceptable alternatives include milk derived from coconut hemp, rice, almonds, and dairy-free yogurts or cheeses. Seafood Common seafood options like shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops should be eliminated as far as possible. This includes fish used to prepare soup bases and stock for everyday recipes. These foods contain active allergens that aggravate the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis. One may switch to other animal-based proteins sourced from poultry, pork, or beef, depending on their choice. Wheat and soy products Any form of wheat that can trigger a gluten intolerance is considered bad for those with eosinophilic esophagitis. This includes bran, bulgur, couscous, farro, semolina, Kamut, and hydrolyzed ingredients derived from wheat for making commercial products. An allergic reaction from consuming these can result in permanent scarring of the esophagus or constriction of the already narrow passage. Tofu, tempeh, soya, bean curds, edamame, miso, and soy products are also unsuitable. Instead, patients may consider rice, oats, corn, quinoa, and acceptable refined soybean substitutes to avoid flare-ups. Egg products Eggs may be one of the best sources of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But this poultry option may not be suitable for regular consumption for those struggling with the condition. Egg yolks, egg whites, and eggs in their dried, powdered, or natural form should be eliminated from daily food plans as they are trigger foods for eosinophilic esophagitis. Children can develop a more severe egg allergy as their digestive system cannot easily break down the nutrients to be absorbed by the body. Plenty of substitutes work best in place of eggs, especially for everyday recipes. Assorted nuts Assorted nuts are a great source of essential B vitamins and nutrients the body needs for nourishment. However, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, and any form of cold-pressed or hydrogenated nut extracts can trigger inflammatory allergic responses. Therefore, nuts feature among the list of foods that trigger eosinophilic esophagitis and should be eliminated from the nutrition plan.

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