Understanding Crohn's Disease

Approximately 700,000 people in the United States suffer from Crohn’s Disease (crohnsandcolitis.com). Crohn’s disease is part of a group of conditions known as, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It most commonly occurs at the end of the small intestine; however, it can involve different areas of the digestive track. Some symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and malnutrition. In 1769, an Italian physician named Giovanni Battista Moragni, made the first description of Crohn’s disease when he diagnosed a young man with chronic diarrhea. Later, in 1930, Dr Burrill B Crohn, whom the disease is named after, saw a similarity of the diagnosis in two of his patients. Two

If your immune system is triggered, it effects the gastrointestinal tract, which causes inflammation that contributes to the symptoms. Things such as bacteria or viruses in the environment may trigger an abnormal immune response. Men and women are equally likely to be affected by the disease, and it can also occur at any age, but it is most common among people ages 15 and 35. “Because of the wide-ranging effects of IBD, multidisciplinary care of affected patients, both within and outside the hospital is essential.” (Rampton and Shanahan 5) Symptoms of Crohn’s disease may vary from person to person. Since Crohn’s disease is a chronic disease, patients will usually experience periods where the disease intensifies and causes symptoms, or periods where the patient doesn’t notice any symptoms at all. Many people that suffer from Crohn’s disease commonly experience loss of appetite and weight loss, which can lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition may cause damage to vital organs of the body. Abdominal pain is also common. Younger children with the disease may experience growth delay and development. In severe cases of the disease, a fistula may

Other health problems of Crohn’s disease include anemia gall bladder or liver disease, and osteoporosis. Currently, Crohn’s Disease has no cure, but many treatment options can help you live a fulfilling life. The treatment of Crohn’s Disease may include, medication, surgery, and nutrition therapy. The anti-inflammatory medication is the most common medication used to treat people with Crohn’s. “Medication treating Crohn’s Disease is designed to suppress your immune system’s abnormal inflammatory response that is causing you symptoms.” (crohnsandcolitisfoundation.org) This will allow relief from symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain. Suppressing the inflammation also causes the intestinal tissues to heal. Oral 5- aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and Humira are a few types of anti-inflammation medication. Sometimes people with Crohn’s are required to have a special diet given through a feeding tube or nutrients injected into a vein. This method can improve your overall nutrition and allow the bowel to rest. Resting the bowel can reduce inflammation. Maintaining a low fiber and dairy diet may also help. If medications and nutrition changes fail, the patient may have to undergo