Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to use complementary medicine therapies when they have had the disease for more than 10 years or have been repeatedly hospitalized. The most common reasons for using complementary medicine were the side effects associated with and the lack of effectiveness of conventional medicine. Standard therapies include corticosteroids, which are often accompanied by unwanted side effects, immunosuppressive drugs and/or surgery.

Am J Gastroenterol May 1998;93:697-701.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Patients are not stupid. They will only tolerate so much abuse by a discipline that is nearly clueless on the cause of most of the problems they treat. Fortunately, there are some very effective alternatives.

If you know anyone with inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn's, the first step is to order the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. It can be ordered from Book People 800-999-4650 #48480. It is the best single book on relieving this problem. One should also use Flora Source as a good bacteria. Most people will also need to be monitored by a gastroenterologist.