Crohn's Disease Essay

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How serious is Crohn’s Disease? Can someone with Crohn’s Disease lead a normal life like other people or is it a disease that changes your life style forever? Yes, they can by managing their diet and pain, a person with Crohn’s disease can lead a very normal and healthy life.
Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, which affects the lining of the digestive tract. (MayoClinic, 2009). Inflammation is caused from the T-cells being activated which results in damage to the digestive tract. According Rangasamy, P. MD and Katz, J. M.D. (2011), “Once the T-cells are activated by antigen presentation, unrestraint of the helper lymphocytes type 1 (Th1) predominate in Crohn’s Disease because of defective regulation. Th1 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)–12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–alpha stimulate the inflammatory response. Inflammatory cells recruited by these cytokines release nonspecific inflammatory substances, including arachidonic acid metabolites, proteases, platelet activating factor, and free radicals, which result in direct injury to the intestine.” (paragraph 1- pathophysiology).
At this time, the medical community is unsure of what causes Crohn’s Disease. There is speculation it could be caused by genetics, microbial, immunological, environmental, dietary, vascular, psychosocial factors, including smoking, oral contraceptives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). The studies have shown that those who have family history of Crohn’s Disease have a possible higher risk of developing the disease. Although is seems to be a very complicated genetic process of inheriting. There are several genes that contribute to the final possible cause of Crohn’s Disease. The NOD2 gene (also kno...

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...ases where the patient must undergo surgery to remove a damaged part of the intestines. (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 2009)
Crohn’s is a chronic digestive related disease that can come and go and be anything from gas pains to a need for emergency surgery. It is serious and can be a life threatening disease. It is our job as nurses to assist the patient in educating them about the disorder, supporting their concerns and questions, and being empathetic to their situation. It is with greater education that the patient will fare better and take an active role in their own disease. A patient with Crohn’s may not be able to lead a completely normal life free of these digestive issues but with education they can hopefully minimize the side effects and know when they should seek further education or assistance. (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 2009)

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