Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. The inflammation, which can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition, can occur in different areas of the digestive tract and varies from person to person.

Crohn's disease can be painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.

While there's no known cure for Crohn's, various therapies can reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission. With treatment, many people with Crohn's disease can function well.

Signs or Symptoms of Chrohn's Disease

In some people with Crohn’s, just the small intestine is affected. In others, it's confined to the colon. The most common areas affected by Crohn's disease are the last part of the small intestine (ileum) and the colon. Inflammation can lead to scarring (stenosis), or may spread through the bowel wall (fistula).

Indications of Crohn's range from mild to severe and may develop gradually or come on suddenly. There are also times when patients have no signs or symptoms.

When the disease is active, symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Blood in the stool
• Ulcers in the intestinal walls, or in the mouth similar to canker sores.
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Other symptoms can include: fever; fatigue; arthritis; eye inflammation; skin disorders; inflammation of the liver or bile ducts; delayed growth or sexual development in children

Causes of Crohn's Disease

The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown. Researchers believe that a number of factors play a role in its development.

Risk Factors

• Age. Most people who develop the disease are diagnosed before age 30.
• Ethnicity. Whites have the highest risk of the disease. Those of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent also have higher risk.
• Family history. Those with a close relative with the disease (parent, sibling or child) have an increased risk.
• Cigarette smoking
• Residence. Crohn's disease occurs more often among people living in cities and industrial nations. People living in northern climates also seem to have a greater risk of the disease.

Conditions

• Bowel obstruction
• Ulcers
• Fistulas
• Anal fissures
• Malnutrition
• Anemia
• Colon cancer

Crohn's disease can cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eyes or skin, clubbing of the fingernails, kidney stones, gallstones and, occasionally, inflammation of the bile ducts. Osteoporosis is a possibility in the long-term.

Lifestyle Alterations

Diet. Certain foods and drinks can aggravate signs and symptoms, especially during a flare-up. Keep track of what you're eating and how you feel. If some foods cause symptoms to flare, eliminate them.

Other things that may help:

• Limit dairy products. Diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas may improve after limiting or eliminating dairy products. Taking an enzyme product may also be beneficial.
• Try low-fat foods
• Limit fiber as it can make diarrhea, pain and gas worse.
• Avoid problem foods. Eliminate foods that seem to make symptoms worse including beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits, spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine.
• Eat small meals
• Drink plenty of liquids. Water is best. Drinks that contain caffeine stimulate the intestines and can make diarrhea worse. Carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.
• Take a multivitamin. Because Crohn's disease can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, multivitamin and mineral supplements are often helpful. Check with your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
• Stress. Stress can make symptoms worse and trigger flare-ups. To manage it, exercise, biofeedback, relaxation and breathing exercises and yoga are other good options.

Natural Alternatives

Commonly used therapies include:

• Herbal and nutritional supplements
• Probiotics
• Fish oil
• Acupuncture
• Hypnosis

References