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Might this be worth a shot?

Hello everybody, I’d like to share something I did, that is probably helping me.

I’ve had moderate IBD for over a year now. I tried many treatments, with little to no effect. I started logging everything about my dietary habits to see wether I could find a relationship between certain foods and symptom severity; sure it got worse for me when eating spicy stuff, or gluten rich foods, but that was it.

Only two months ago I began an analysis of other factors, including my hygiene routine. Normally I shower everyday, scrubbing most of my skin with liquid soap and washing my hair twice with regular shampoo; I never walk barefoot so to prevent foot fungus infections; and I have a rigorous oral hygiene routine where I first use floss, then a waterpik (water pressure gum cleaner), then I scrape my tongue, then I brush not only the teeth but also the inside of the cheeks, the palate and the tongue before finishing with a one-minute mouthwash, three times a day. Why this rigorous? It is the only thing helping my halitosis. I have been doing this type or mouth cleaning for more than two years.

Three weeks ago I noticed my tongue was very dry, whitish-greenish in color, so I decided to skip the tongue scraping for a few days. After a week or so I noticed quite less abdominal pain, and some halitosis returned. My tongue was pinkish and moist, just like a healthy one. By that time I wondered wether my excessive hygiene had a relationship with my bowel disease?

I decided to ditch the floss, waterpik, tongue scraping and mouthwash, keeping only a regular teeth brushing only once a day. I stopped scrubbing my skin, now when I take a shower I only wash the armpit and groin areas, and shampoo my head only once. I even again started to walk barefoot indoors.

My symptoms improved more than 80% over the course of two weeks. Sure the halitosis has returned and my shoes are only a bit smelly, But I rather live with that than being miserable from IBD symptoms. Probably in my case there is indeed a relationship, and I really hope for this recovery to persist.

It may be that this is only working for me, but it might be worth a shot if you think your hygiene is strict as mine used to be.

Good luck!

  1. , thank you so much for sharing what has worked for you! I'm so glad to hear that your symptoms have improved. Wishing you all the continued success!! Please keep us updated on how you're doing, if you'd like =) Warmly, Pam (team member)

    1. Thank you for sharing this! IBD is so tricky and it is so important to share what works for you because it may work for someone else as well. Wishing you continued health! -Elizabeth (team member)

      1. Thank you for sharing this ! I have read articles about the problems with being "too clean" so I am glad to hear your new routine is not only working for you, but also saves you a lot of time throughout the day 😀 We appreciate you being here!

        --Julie (Team Member)

        1. Just diagnosed with crowns disease. I have had significant weight loss. I’m eating as much as I can but can’t get back above 120. If this has happened to anyone - is there something you would recommend to me that would help me build my weight back up. I have gone from about 130lbs when my symptoms stated in June 2019, to 113 lbs today.
          Thanks, deb4

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