Crohns Disease

Crohn's disease is an IBD or inflammatory bowel disease that affects the GI or gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease causes the inflammation and swelling of the digestive tract and most commonly affects the ileum or small intestine, however, this disease can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract beginning at the mouth down to the anus.

While Crohn's disease is a life long illness for which there is no cure, various treatment methods and therapies are effective for many individuals in controlling the symptoms and they are able to lead relatively normal and productive lives. 

The Symptoms and Causes of Crohn's Disease 

The inflammation of the GI tract due to Crohn's disease causes many uncomfortable symptoms including mild to severe pain in the abdominal area and diarrhea that is often severe. This disease can also cause malnutrition as it can cause malabsorption which is the inability to absorb a sufficient amount of the essential vitamins and nutrients and it may also cause intestinal protein loss.

Individuals with Crohn's disease often experience a loss of appetite which may also cause them to have poor dietary habits resulting in malnutrition.  While researchers and scientists have not been able to find a definitive answer as to what it is exactly that causes Crohn's disease, their research suggests that it may be an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system that mistakenly treats foods, bacteria, and other substances as foreign. 

This immune system response causes elevated levels of white blood cells in the intestinal lining causing the intestines to become chronically inflamed leading to damage and ulcerations of the bowel, however, researchers are not sure whether this abnormal immune system reaction actually causes Crohn's disease or is a result of having this condition. Some research also suggests that this may be a genetic or inherited disease as it is seen in many individuals who have a sibling or parent with the same condition. 

Treatment for Crohn's Disease 

As of today, there is no cure for Crohn's disease and treatment is aimed at providing relief from the symptoms and the type of treatment depends upon the severity and location that is affected by the disease. In some cases, individuals can experience long term remission from this disease after medical treatment that typically consists of medication and sometimes surgery.

The medications that are typically prescribed and utilized as the first step in the treatment process are anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation that is responsible for causing the symptoms. However, there are many types of these drugs that work differently among individuals and it may take several attempts in finding the one that right for the patient. Some of these medications are also capable of causing serious side effects and the risks involved should always be weighed in comparison to the benefits. 

In more severe cases of Crohn's disease or when other attempts at treatment have failed, surgery may be performed in order to repair or remove the damaged portions of the GI tract. Approximately three out of every four individuals who have Crohn's disease will need surgery at some point in their life, however, this typically only provides a temporary form of relief and half of these individuals will need to undergo a second surgical procedure and possibly even more.

If you suffer from Crohn's disease, it is essential that you follow any treatment plan prescribed by your physician and that you obtain regular check ups in order to avoid more serious complications that can also become life-threatening.