http://www.rush.edu/webapps/MEDREL/servlet/NewsRelease?ID=3D1055
Study Underway to Find an Alternative Cure for Crohn's Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis
Rush University Medical Center Exploring the Effectiveness of Dietary
and Mind/Body Alternatives
CHICAGO =96 Two research studies evaluating dietary changes and
complementary medicine for the treatment of inflammatory bowel
diseases (IBD) have been launched at Rush University Medical Center.
Funded by the National Institute of Health, one study will look at the
impact of mind/body medicine on patients suffering from ulcerative
colitis (UC) and the other will *****s how diet impacts patients with
Crohn=92s Disease.
There are two main types of IBD, Crohn=92s disease and UC, which afflict
approximately one million Americans. These diseases cause chronic
inflammation of the intestinal tract, causing a variety of symptoms
such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding.
"Both Crohn=92s disease and ulcerative colitis are due to an autoimmune
response to the bacteria or bacterial antigens inside the intestines,=94
said Dr. Ali Keshavarzian, director of digestive diseases and
nutrition at Rush and principal investigator and co-investigator on
the studies. =93Basically, the immune system is having an abnormally
aggressive reaction to the bacteria."
"We want to control flare-ups of the diseases," said Keshavarzian.
"Unfortunately, the treatments for IBD can be toxic and risky. There
are increased risks of cancer, infection and even death as a result of
IBD treatment. That=92s why we=92re looking at how diet as well as stress
relate to the flare-ups. It may be that if we can lower stress and
get the right diet, we may be able to control these illnesses."
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Luke
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