Inflammatory bowel disease and acid reflux can be linked

By Raymond Harper

Inflammatory bowel disease and acid reflux disease are on the increase.

One of the fastest growing problems in the western world is the amount of people suffering from acid reflux disease or GERD for short. Studies show that the way we live and the way we eat contribute greatly. Another big contributor of the problem is obesity.

Another problem also on the increase is inflammatory bowel disease IBD for short. The estimates in the US alone are that 15% to 20% of the population suffer from this condition.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition that affects the large intestine but can also be found in the small intestine. It is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome which is far less severe.

The main forms of IBD includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and they can cause a host of problems including abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea weight loss, weight gain and hematochezia. Other associated complaints and diseases include arthritis pyoderma primary sclerosing, cholangitis and chronic fatigue.

Are Acid reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease linked.

Although there are no studies to link IBD directly to acid reflux disease many people who suffer from one also suffer from the other. Statistics have shown that someone who suffers from IBD is more likely to have upper GI problems like GERD. It stands to reason that someone suffering from one type of digestive problem can mean the rest of the digestive system may not be functioning correctly.

Although medication can be beneficial for both IBD and GERD a better option is to try and treat the underlying cause of the problem and lifestyle changes can prove beneficial. If you can control the IBD condition with a specific treatment it can also aid in the treatment of acid reflux.

One of the most effective ways of dealing with these conditions is through the diet. Over the years there have been a number of different approaches to diet in IBD, ranging from complete bowel rest and dietary exclusion to high energy, high protein diets, and from low fiber diets to high fiber diets. Even now advice may vary from one treatment centre to another. Understandably, many people are confused as to which diet they should be following.

The IBD diet.

To some extent advice will vary depending on whether you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the site of the disease and past and current treatments. However, it is generally agreed that in most cases of IBD, the normal guidelines for a healthy balanced diet should be followed.

Generally a low fat, high soluble diet that is recommended for IBD also reduces GERD. High fat foods are a trigger for both conditions so avoid these wherever possible.

The usual foods that trigger acid reflux should also be avoided or greatly reduced. These include tomatoes, citrus fruits, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, processed foods like white bread, cakes doughnuts etc. there are plenty of herbal teas which can be taken to replace caffeinated drinks.

Also to be avoided is chocolate because it is both high in fat and is also a muscle relaxant. This can relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscles and allow acid reflux in the case of those with GERD.

One of the worst things to do is eat too much food at one sitting. This will overload the digestive system, create too much acid and generally takes much longer to digest. Eating smaller meals on a regular basis is so much more helpful for both conditions.

Some things that can help IBD.

Some studies found that flax seed oil and fish oil may help in managing IBD as well as GERD. It has also been suggested that prebiotics such as psyllium can aid in the healing process. Furthermore, taking probiotics (live culture) has also been helpful in healing the intestines.

Whatever treatment you eventually take it is important to record which treatments work and which do not. This way you should be able to narrow down what is working best both for acid reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Take into consideration both problems instead of trying to treat them separately. Your doctor will be able to give advice and diagnose the conditions correctly.

Can worms be the answer for IBS?

One new theory is that because we have generally rid ourselves of parasites in the stomach such as worms that actually aid the immune systems fight against inflammatory bowel disease.

One test carried out at University of Iowa by a DR Weinstocks was to administer worm eggs in Gatorade to six IBD patients. As the worms grew in their bowels, each patient found his or her conditions improve with no side effects, and five of the six felt completely cured. Dr. Weinstocks believes that IBD sufferers have overly aggressive immune systems that attack the intestines, and that the presence of worms (or helminths, as they're called by scientists) actually prevents that attack by calming the immune system.

Whatever you stomach problems whether it be IBS, severe heartburn, stomach pain, ulcers or even irritable bowel syndrome there is always a medication or natural cure that can help.