--- title: "Crohn's Disease" entity: "page" canonical_url: "https://www.healthflow.ca/crohns-disease" markdown_url: "https://www.healthflow.ca/llms/page/crohns-disease" lastmod: "2026-09-17T20:54:44.442Z" --- # Crohn's Disease Get Better Days Between Flares: Naturopathic Support for Crohn's Disease Still dealing with fatigue, gut pain, and nutrient gaps even with medication on board? The right nutrition, testing, and symptom support can change how you feel day to day. Here's how [Healthflow Naturopathic](/about) works to help you address the whole body and reduce flairs. Book Online ## Quick Facts What it is: A chronic autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract. Common signs: Diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, blood in stool, reduced appetite, and unintentional weight loss. How it's diagnosed: Using a colonoscopy, imaging, and bloodwork. Our approach: We take a functional medicine approach and look at all possible causal factors to optimize the body's innate ability to heal. We can also work alongside other healthcare practitioners on your case. ## What is Crohn's Disease? Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract, causing chronic inflammation. It most often affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Unlike ulcerative colitis, it can appear in patches anywhere along the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's is fundamentally different from [IBS](/learning-center/how-to-treat-ibs-without-medication-natural-therapy-options-diet-tips) and [SIBO](/learning-center/how-long-does-it-take-to-treat-sibo-naturally). Those involve functional symptoms or bacterial imbalance without tissue damage. Crohn's causes real, measurable inflammation and, over time, can lead to structural changes in the bowel. That's why an accurate diagnosis matters before assuming digestive symptoms are "just IBS." ## Symptoms of Crohn's Disease Symptoms range from mild to severe and typically come in flares, with periods of remission in between. Common signs include: - Diarrhea, sometimes long-lasting - Abdominal pain and cramping - Fatigue - Blood in the stool - Reduced appetite and unintentional weight loss - Mouth sores - Fever during active flares - Pain or drainage near the anus, which can indicate a fistula Crohn's can also cause symptoms outside the digestive tract: joint pain, skin changes, and eye inflammation. This happens because it's a systemic immune condition, not one confined to the gut. ## What Causes Crohn's Disease? The exact cause isn't fully understood, but research points to several contributing factors: - Genetics — over 200 genes have been linked to Crohn's, and about 1 in 5 people with the condition has an affected close relative. - Immune system dysfunction — the immune system appears to mount an abnormal, ongoing response against the digestive tract, possibly triggered while responding to gut microorganisms. - Environmental and microbiome factors — differences in [gut bacteria](/learning-center/microbiome-testing-in-calgary-cost-how-it-works) and certain environmental exposures are suspected contributors, though not proven as direct causes. Risk factors include a family history of Crohn's or other IBD, being diagnosed most commonly before age 30, and higher rates in white populations, particularly those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Cigarette smoking is considered the single most important controllable risk factor, and regular use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and naproxen) may also contribute to flares. ## Possible Complications of Unmanaged Crohn's Disease Because Crohn's causes ongoing inflammation, it can lead to complications without active management: - Bowel strictures (narrowing) that can cause obstruction - Fistulas and abscesses, particularly around the anus - Malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin/mineral deficiencies - Increased long-term colorectal cancer risk - Inflammation affecting the skin, joints, eyes, or liver ## How Crohn's Disease Is Diagnosed The gold standard for diagnosing Crohn's is through a combination of colonoscopy (to directly view and biopsy the digestive tract), imaging (CT or MRI), and bloodwork and stool testing. These check for inflammation, infection, and anemia. If you have persistent digestive symptoms that haven't been formally evaluated, that workup is the right starting point. Our role at Healthflow can begin at any stage. We use [functional testing](/functional-testing) to look at nutrient status, food sensitivities, and gut microbiome factors that can affect how you feel day to day. ## How Healthflow Naturopathic Supports Crohn's Care Crohn's disease needs medical management. We take a functional medicine approach to optimize the whole body's ability to heal, including: - Nutrition support. Identifying and addressing common deficiencies in Crohn's (B12, iron, vitamin D, zinc) and adjusting diet strategy for flare vs. remission phases. - Functional testing. Looking at markers that may contribute to ongoing symptoms between flares, such as food sensitivities or gut microbiome imbalances. - Symptom and quality-of-life support. Practical strategies for fatigue, digestive discomfort, and the day-to-day burden of a chronic condition. - Coordinated care. We can work with your gastroenterologist or other healthcare practitioners, and coordinate treatments with existing biologics, immunosuppressants, and other prescribed medications. Care is available in-person at our Calgary clinic or virtually across Alberta, with direct billing available for many extended health plans. ### What to Expect Get answers in your first visit - and a plan that fits the care you already have. Your first session is 50 minutes with your ND. We review your diagnosis, treatment plan, symptom patterns, and any prior labs or imaging. Everything we recommend works alongside your existing care. No overlap. No wasted effort. From there, functional testing targets the specific gaps that matter for you. No default panels. Results come back within two weeks, and we aim to give you something useful from day one. Follow-ups are 25 minutes. We track how you're responding as you move between flare and remission, then adjust the plan based on what's working. ## When to Seek Immediate Medical Care Seek emergency care for signs of bowel obstruction (severe abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas), high fever, heavy rectal bleeding, or signs of an abscess (fever with severe, localized pain). ## Living With Crohn's? Get More Good Days Between Flares. We use a functional medicine approach to pinpoint nutrient gaps, food triggers, and symptom patterns. So your whole day gets better, not just your lab results. [Book Your Consultation →](/contact) ## Frequently Asked Questions Is Crohn's disease the same as IBS or ulcerative colitis? No. IBS is a functional disorder with no visible tissue damage. Crohn's is an autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes actual inflammation and damage to the digestive tract. Crohn's differs from ulcerative colitis mainly in location and pattern: Crohn's can affect any part of the digestive tract in patches, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum in a continuous pattern. Can naturopathic care replace my Crohn's medication? No, through a functional medicine lens, we encourage monitoring medications with the prescriber as the condition improves though naturopathic care. Can diet alone control Crohn's disease? Diet can meaningfully affect symptoms and nutritional status. It doesn't control the underlying inflammation the way medication can. Nutrition support is one part of a broader plan. Do naturopathic doctors diagnose Crohn's disease? Yes, Crohn's is diagnosed by assessing colonoscopy, imaging, and bloodwork. If your symptoms suggest an undiagnosed IBD, we'll help guide you toward that assessment. After diagnosis, we use functional testing to go deeper and look at nutrient status, food sensitivities, and gut microbiome factors that may affect how you feel. I'm already diagnosed and on medication. Can testing and nutrition support still help? Often, yes. Many people with well-managed Crohn's still deal with nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, or digestive symptoms between flares. We work to identify and address those gaps. ## Related Reading Explore our learning centre to read more about other digestive concerns.