Considering that Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract makes it especially troublesome to treat. In addition to this, it can be quite painful as well as bothersome. The condition causes severe inflammation to the affected areas and is most commonly known to affect the lower parts of the small intestine. The swelling will extend deep into the lining of the affected organs and can cause the intestines to empty increasingly frequently. While the condition is known to affect both men and women equally, it is also known to be caused by a heredity factor being passed down from one generation in a bloodline to the next. Statistics show that almost 20 percent of those individuals that have a blood relative with some type of inflammatory bowel disease are affected by the condition as well. The condition can affect an individual of any age but is most often encountered in people between the ages of 20 and 30. While the exact cause of the condition is still relatively unknown, some popular theories believe that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally in people affected by Crohn’s disease, causing it to mistake bacteria, food and other substances to be foreign and leading the immune system to respond by attacking these invading substances. While some others believe that the condition is caused by some kind of bacteria, no conclusive evidence has yet been found to prove this theory. While an individual’s diet has been known to affect the symptoms caused by the condition, it is highly unlikely that the diet is responsible for its onset.
While most cases would require a physical examination and a series of tests to confirm the condition, the symptoms exuded include a severe pain often in the lower right regions of the abdomen; and diarrhea. Other symptoms would include rectal bleeding, arthritis, weight loss and fever and skin problems.
The anti inflammatory characteristics of barley make it extremely beneficial in dealing with Crohn’s disease. Try adding some barley to a vegetable soup or stew and consume it regularly for greater effect. Garlic is also known to prevent infection and consuming about 1 clove three times during the day will prove prudent. If you choose to add it to your food, try to retain its effectiveness by adding raw garlic only after the food has been cooked. One should also try getting as much exercise as possible while staying away from caffeine and red meat.