About Using Fish Oil to Treat Crohn's Disease

Crohn's syndrome is an inflammatory disease. Among its other health benefits, fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are an anti-inflammatory. Using fish oil on a regular basis is thought to help prevent and soothe inflammation. Controlling inflammation is important to preventing and treating Crohn's disease symptoms.

Crohn's Syndrome

• Crohn's syndrome is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. This condition can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract from your mouth to your anus. Crohn's syndrome commonly affects the lower part of your small intestine. The inflammation causes your intestine to swell. Crohn's can be difficult to diagnosis because the symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's affects men and women equally of all ages.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of Crohn's syndrome include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems and fever. These symptoms appear and worsen as the inflammation cause the intestine to swell. The swelling can cause permanent damage to the intestine if not treated. Symptoms can be controlled with treatment and usually get better when the inflammation dies down.

Treatments

• Crohn's syndrome is treated with medication, nutritional supplements, surgery or a combination of these options. The goal of treatment is to control the inflammation to prevent the swelling of the intestine. There is no cure for Crohn's syndrome. Treatment can limit the number of times a year you experience a recurrence of symptoms.

Fish Oil

• Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are not produced by your body. You can get omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements or from eating salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel, lake trout, herring or sardines. The omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil is an anti-inflammatory. Consuming fish oil at least two times a week can help soothe the inflammation of Crohn's syndrome. Once the inflammation is soothed the symptoms should be relieved. Preventing inflammation can prevent the symptoms from recurring. Fish oil is also linked to prevention and treatment of other inflammatory diseases like irritable bowl syndrome, arthritis and asthma.

Considerations

• Discuss with your doctor your decision to include fish oil in your diet. Choose a dose of fish oil that is appropriate for your weight and height and medical history. Once you decide to include fish oil in you diet, get the oil from both supplements and natural sources. Eat fish twice a week and take your supplements according to your personal regimen.