Crohns Disease

What is Crohns Disease

It is an inflammatory condition of the small intestine and colon. Also known as ileitis or enteritis. It is an ongoing disorder.

CD is listed on the American Autoimmune and Related Disease Association list as an autoimmune condition.

It is a severe form of colitis that causes fistulas to form in the colon. There is atrophy and ulceration of the intestines.

Something to remember, any condition ending in 'itis', means inflammation. ie: appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix;sinusitis - inflammation of the sinus.

Does this remove the feeling of fear when the doctor names something that ends with 'itis'? One-third of all cases are in the small bowel, especially the ileum.

Half of all cases involve the small intestine and colon, and about 20 percent of the cases affect the colon alone.

Causes

The precise cause of Crohns disease remains unknown.

It can be caused by antibiotics, food allergies, drugs, chemicals or microorganisms, including parasites.

While both viruses and bacteria can cause colitis, there is little evidence that suggests infections actually lead to this most painful disease.

Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with the development and worsening of Crohns.

Symptoms of CD or Crohns

• abdominal pain
• joint pain
• weight loss
• lack of appetite
• fatigue
• frequent fever
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based upon the clinical presentation combined with supportive findings from x-rays (abdominal CT, small bowel exam),colonoscopy and biopsies of the intestinal tract.

There is no single test used to diagnose this uncomfortable condition.

Medical Treatments for Crohns

Corticosteroids such as prednisone is prescribed for remission of this disease. Corticosteroids are used for a short-term therapy and other medications are used to maintain remission following steroids.

Steroids work by reducing inflammation throughout the body.

Antibiotics

How antibiotics help Crohns disease is not well understood, but it may alter the concentrations of bacteria in the colon and small bowel.

Immunomodulatory Drugs

These drugs are often effective in maintaining remission of Crohns disease. There can be adverse effects as these medications are used long-term. They work by changing the way certain inflammatory cells in the intestinal lining respond to inflammatory triggers.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary for those that medical treatment was ineffective. Surgery will remove the diseased segment of bowel.

Surgery may be necessary for any of the following:

• permanent narrowing or obstruction of the bowel
• infection in the area of the anus
• perforation of the bowel
• any localized infection

Keep in mind, that surgery will result in remission, but does not cure the disease.

Most people with have a recurrence after surgery and require additional medical attention.

Healing Suggestions

• Remove the irritants (ie: diet)
• Using Digestive Enzymes to enhance food breakdown
• Rebuild intestinal flora with probiotics
• Repair and tone damaged intestinal tissues
• Identify your stress component
• Keep your stress level in check