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Crohn’s Disease – Life Expectancy, Root Causes & Holistic Healing

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Introduction: Why Crohn’s Disease Requires a Functional Medicine Approach

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition that can deeply affect daily life. While not usually fatal, it can lead to complications over time that may reduce life expectancy if left unmanaged. At Patients Medical in NYC, our integrative approach blends conventional gastroenterology with root-cause, functional healing strategies to help patients regain control of their health and quality of life.

We focus not just on calming flares, but on healing the gut and reducing immune triggers long term.

What Is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s is an autoimmune-driven condition that causes chronic inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract—most commonly the small intestine and colon. It affects about 780,000 Americans, often beginning in early adulthood.

Types of Crohn’s:

  • Ileocolitis: Affects both the small and large intestine
  • Ileitis: Affects only the small intestine
  • Gastroduodenal: Involves the stomach and first part of the small intestine
  • Jejunoileitis: Causes patchy inflammation in the upper half of the small intestine
  • Granulomatous colitis: Affects only the colon

Life Expectancy with Crohn’s Disease

Most individuals with Crohn’s live a normal lifespan, especially with effective treatment. However, complications like bowel obstructions, fistulas, chronic malnutrition, or long-term corticosteroid use can pose risks.

Factors That Can Influence Longevity:
  • Severity and frequency of flares
  • Delayed diagnosis or untreated inflammation
  • Surgical complications (e.g., resections or infections)
  • Increased cancer risk (particularly colorectal cancer)
  • Long-term medication side effects

With an integrative care plan and proactive monitoring, these risks can be significantly reduced.

Root Causes: Why Did You Develop Crohn’s?

Conventional care treats inflammation; functional medicine seeks to understand why your immune system is attacking your gut in the first place.

Common Root Triggers of Crohn’s:
  • Leaky gut syndrome
  • Gut microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis)
  • Chronic infections (EBV, MAP bacteria)
  • Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, soy)
  • Toxin overload (heavy metals, pesticides)
  • Early-life antibiotic use
  • Stress and adrenal dysfunction
  • Genetic predisposition activated by environmental triggers

 

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we go beyond basic GI imaging to get a full picture of your immune and gut health.

Stool microbiome testing

Calprotectin and lactoferrin (inflammatory markers)

Food sensitivity panels (IgG/IgA)

Zonulin and intestinal permeability markers

Organic acids (gut and metabolic health)

Cortisol and adrenal function

Heavy metals and environmental toxin screen

Genetic risk factors (NOD2, MTHFR)

Vitamin and nutrient panels (B12, D, iron, folate)

Integrative Treatments for Crohn’s Disease

Nutritional Therapy

Food is medicine—especially for Crohn’s. We design personalized plans to reduce inflammation and support gut healing:

  • Anti-inflammatory or Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
  • Elemental or semi-elemental diets during flares
  • Bone broths, smoothies, and gut-friendly soups
  • Elimination diets to uncover triggers

Herbal & Nutraceutical

Targeted supplements help repair the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and rebalance immunity:

  • L-glutamine and slippery elm
  • Curcumin and quercetin
  • Butyrate and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Probiotics and prebiotics

Digestive enzymes and bile salts

IV Nutrient Therapy

Crohn’s often causes malabsorption. We use IVs to bypass the gut and restore nutrient levels:

  • B-complex and B12
  • Vitamin D3
  • Magnesium and zinc

Glutathione and amino acids

Gut Healing & Microbiome Balance

We use customized gut repair protocols to support microbial balance, reduce permeability, and strengthen the mucosal barrier.

Stress & Emotional Healing

Stress directly worsens Crohn’s flares. Our tools for nervous system support include:

  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, holy basil)
  • Acupuncture
  • Yoga therapy and guided meditation
  • Somatic therapy or emotional detox

Real Case Study: Josh’s Path to Remission

Josh, 29, came to Patients Medical with severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and joint pain. He had been diagnosed with Crohn’s three years earlier and was on corticosteroids with only partial relief.

We discovered:

  • Elevated calprotectin and CRP
  • Severe dysbiosis and candida overgrowth
  • Gluten sensitivity
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Elevated cortisol levels

His customized plan included:

  • A 6-week elimination diet
  • Gut microbiome repair protocol
  • IV vitamin infusions
  • Adrenal support therapy
  • Acupuncture and stress coaching

By month 4, Josh had 80% symptom relief, normalized labs, and had weaned off steroids under physician supervision.

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Testimonials

“I lived with Crohn’s for 15 years—this is the first time I’ve seen real healing.
T.R., 43, Manhattan
“The stool and food testing changed everything. I had no idea my gut was so imbalanced.”
S.M., 33, Brooklyn
“I’ve had fewer flares in the past 6 months than I had in the last 3 years combined.”
R.G., 39, Queens
“They helped me fix my gut, my stress, and my whole life. Truly holistic care.”
P.J., 45, Bronx
“I no longer feel like a victim of my diagnosis. I feel empowered now.”
K.E., 31, NYC

Explore Our Blog For More Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

 In most cases, no. With proper treatment and monitoring, patients live normal lifespans. Risks arise with complications or untreated inflammation.

There is no medical cure, but many patients achieve long-term remission through lifestyle and integrative support.

Common triggers include gluten, dairy, processed foods, alcohol, sugar, and artificial additives.

Stress can disrupt gut immunity and microbiome health, directly triggering flares.

Not necessarily. We work to reduce medication dependency by supporting your body naturally.

Surgery is common in Crohn’s but not inevitable. Our goal is to avoid or delay surgical intervention through prevention.

There is a genetic component, but environmental and immune triggers often play a larger role.

L-glutamine, curcumin, omega-3s, probiotics, and vitamin D are often beneficial—always supervised by a physician.

Yes, we treat both adults and children with Crohn’s using age-appropriate integrative care.

We are out-of-network but provide superbills for reimbursement. Many diagnostic labs may be partially covered.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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    All information presented in this website is intended for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of rendering medical advice. Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Patients Medical.

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