Cure For Crohn's Disease

Ulcerative colitis progresses from the rectum and moves proximally. Distal disease refers to inflammation that is limited to the rectum (proctitis) or rectum and sigmoid colon. Here it is referred to as proctosigmioditis. If the disease is more extensive it includes the left side of the colon and can cover the splenic flexure. This occurs in 40% of patients. Extensive colitis occurs up to the hepatic flexure. Pan colitis affects the whole of the colon and this can affect up to 20% of patients. Some patients with pan colitis have involvement of the terminal ileum, this is caused by an incompetent ileocaecal valve.

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...

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of two disease under the category “IBD”, or Irritable Bowel Disease, the other being Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, who, along with Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer, described the disease back in 1932. Crohn’s commonly affects the ileum and the beginning of the colon, but it can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s can affect the entire bowel wall, while it can also “skip” over patches of the diseased intestine, leaving some unaffected parts of the area. In a healthy gastrointestinal tract, there are many harmless bacteria, which aid in digestion. The immune system will attack and kill any foreign invaders. In Crohn’s patients, the normal bacteria are mistaken for invaders, and the immune system responds. Cells will travel out of the blood and to the intestines, in turn producing inflammation, the normal response. The inflammation does not go down, which leads to chronic inflammation, ulceration, and a thickening of the intestinal wall. These lead to the patient’s symptoms.

Crohn’s is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease that can damage the intestine over time; Crohn’s disease can cause painful gas, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and the inability to eat normally.

Crohn’s disease is a life-long condition effecting victims of any age. It is considered a form of an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive system. The cause of the disease is unknown. The inflammation is due to the immune system attacking the healthy cells throughout the body’s gastrointestinal tract.

Crohn’s Disease along with Ulcerative Colitis are two of the major forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Crohn's disease also known as regional enteritis is a chronic disease. The disease affects different parts of the digestive system where ulcers develop, usually towards the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. However it can develop from the mouth to the anus as they are a part of the digestive tract.

Inflammatory bowel diseases affect millions of Americans every year. While their causation has been connected to the nervous system for quite some time, recent research has also suggested that these diseases may be caused by abnormalities in the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is found in the intestines. It has more neurons than the entire spinal cord, and it provides neurological signaling between the central nervous system and the intestines. (Furness, 2011). Inflammatory bowel diseases include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. While their cause is generally disputed, they lead to painful sores in the intestines and last for a patient's lifetime. (Dugdale, & Longstreth, 2011). Inflammatory bowel diseases have no known cure. While many studies have taken place, the first step in finding a cure for inflammatory bowel diseases is deciding what their cause is. The study of the enteric nervous system may lead to the discovery of what this cause maybe.

Crohn's Disease Crohn' s disease is a bowel disease characterized by inflammation of the different layers of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be distinguished from ulcerative colitis (a similar disease) in that Crohn' s affects any part of the gut, whereas ulcerative colitis only affects the innermost layer of the colon and rectum. About 15% of Crohn' s patients have severe fistulating disease. In this form, ulcer-like channels develop from the bowel wall and burrow all the way to the skin surface. Eventually, 75% of these patients require surgery. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans suffer from Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. The total cost for Crohn's disease was $43.1 million in 1994. While drug therapy accounted for 6% of these costs, indirect costs (i.e., sick leave and early retirement) constituted 71% of the total cost. The onset of Crohn's disease most often occurs between the ages of 15 and 35, but can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to be autoimmune in nature with a genetic predisposition. Researchers are still looking for an infectious cause but no organism has been isolated.

Crohn’s disease cannot be prevented or cured but there are ways to manage the symptoms and lower the chance of relapses: Reduce stress on the digestive tract by having small, frequent meals. Have a low fibre, but well-balanced diet (fibre may cause problems to the inflamed intestinal walls). Stress can worsen the symptoms so relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and slow breathing may be helpful. Avoid stimulants like tobacco and caffeine, exercise regularly, maintain a positive attitude.

    Crohn's disease was named after Dr. Burill B. Crohn, an American physician in 1884. It is defined as a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin, usually affecting the ileum (the last part of the small intestines), the colon or both structures. The disease begins as patches of tiny ulcers in the innermost lining

...In conclusion, Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition and may recur at various times over a lifetime. Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes for years, when they are free of symptoms. There is no way to predict when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return. You just need to be aware of the symptoms to treat it as soon as possible for a healthier future.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. It is a fairly common disease that affects a large population causing abdominal pain, frequent bloody stools, and fatigue

Inflammatory bowel disease which includes ulcerative colitis is characterised by chronic relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal system. It has a rising incidence and is fast becoming a worldwide problem.1 It is associated with significant morbidity, loss of the quality of life, and an increased colorectal risk. Studies have shown that 18% of patients suffer long term complications from the disease. Up to 30% will go on to needing a colectomy at 10 years.1 Management centres on confirming the disease, excluding differential diseases and appropriate pharmacological and surgical interventions. Pharmacological management options include steroids and disease modifying drugs such as infliximab, tacrolimus and methotrexate. A colectomy is curative and has been shown to improve the quality of life.1

Many people have suffered some form of gastrointestinal discomfort in their life. For patients with Crohn’s Disease this can be a daily occurrence that greatly affects their everyday lives. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease that targets the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s most commonly will occur in the lower GI tract involving the small and large intestine and colon but can be found anywhere throughout the GI tract from mouth to anus. Crohn’s is lumped together in a larger group of illnesses more commonly referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. ("About crohn's disease," 2009)