More than 3 million people live with inflammatory bowel disease and many struggle with food anxiety I see a lot of patients with IBD despite the fact that I am not a gastroenterologist. IBD is a condition that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that often leads to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. IBD can also lead to fatigue, weight loss, malnutrition, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Specific foods are not known to trigger IBD flares. IBD is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food allergies, and food intolerances, as it is a chronic inflammatory condition of the entire digestive tract (Crohn’s disease), or specifically, the large intestine (ulcerative colitis), which can inhibit absorption and impair digestion.
I do test for food allergies ( Ig G testing) as well as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Most gastroenterologists do not test for SIBO. I believe in a thorough analysis of the microbiota in all patients . In the past 10 years we have come a long way in gastrointestinal diseases. I also believe that medications not be prescribed for many of the diseases and supplements/herbs do a fine and even sometimes a better job
Patients with IBD often associate their gastrointestinal symptoms—abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, nausea or even vomiting—with the foods they eat There is not one diet for all I incorporate various dietary modifications looking at their blood diet and food sensitivities by Ig G All patients with IBD are unique and therefore should discuss diet and nutrition This is essential
Until tomorrow…