Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

Inflammatory Bowel Disease services offered in Portland, OR

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the primary forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Digestive system specialist Ilana Gurevich ND, LAC, MSOM, of Open Wellness PDX, uses natural methods to reduce tissue inflammation and promote healing in patients with IBD. She uses treatments like ozone therapy, Chinese medicine, and neural therapy. To find out how you could benefit from a natural approach to relieving IBD symptoms, call the office in Portland, Oregon, or book an appointment online today.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Q&A

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) isn’t a single condition but a collection of disorders affecting the digestive tract. They’re chronic conditions that tend to flare up at times then go into periods of remission where symptoms are minimal or gone entirely.

The primary forms are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, but there are less common types like microscopic colitis. A condition that causes similar symptoms is celiac disease. This disorder develops when you have a gluten allergy.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis affects your large bowel and rectum. It arises when inflammation develops in the tissues lining the lower half of your gastrointestinal tract, causing painful, inflamed patches and ulcers. You might experience lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and problems controlling your bowels (fecal incontinence).

You might notice pus or mucus in your stool and suffer from tenesmus—an uncontrollable urge to push even when your bowel is empty. The rectal pain ulcerative colitis can cause might be so severe you have problems sitting down.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease also causes digestive tract inflammation, but it can occur anywhere along the length of your gastrointestinal system, from mouth to anus. The most common areas for Crohn’s disease to develop are the ileum (the end of your small intestine) and the cecum (the start of your large intestine).

Symptoms include:

Abdominal pain
Severe diarrhea
Malnutrition
Cramping
Bloody stools
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Constipation and fecal impaction (blocked bowel)

You might also develop fissures (splits or cracks in the anus) or fistulas, which are abnormal channels that form between your bowel and other organs.

What treatments help with inflammatory bowel disease?

Dr. Gurevich uses holistic treatments to remedy inflammatory bowel disease, including:

Elimination diets

Many foods can cause IBD to flare up. Dr. Gurevich might suggest eliminating one type, such as dairy or gluten, to see if it reduces your symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Certain foods, herbs, and spices like turmeric, have anti-inflammatory effects that greatly improve IBD symptoms.

Wormwood

Wormwood is a herb that can reduce IBD symptoms and may promote remission.

Stress reduction

Stress has numerous adverse health effects. Reducing stress helps minimize IBD symptoms.

Other treatments that Dr. Gurevich uses to manage IBD symptoms include herbal medicines, dietary supplements, Chinese medicine, ozone therapy, IV vitamin infusion therapy, and neural therapy.

To benefit from a more natural approach to treating inflammatory bowel disease, call Open Wellness PDX today, or book an appointment online.