Crohn’s disease primarily affects the small intestine, but can affect any part of the digestive tract. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation to the lining of the digestive tract and ulcerations to the small and large intestines. Crohn’s disease may also involve other body organs. Red nodules caused by the inflammation of the underlying subcutaneous tissue may appear on the skin. This disease may also cause osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones. The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, one of three doctors that published a study on the Crohn's disease in 1932.
What Causes Crohn's Disease
Many theories have been presented about the cause of Crohn’s disease. IBD appears to be the result of an abnormal immune system reaction. According to the Johns Hopkins White Papers on Digestive Disorders, a virus or bacterium could be responsible for the disease. This unknown stimulus triggers the disease by causing the immune system to attack the digestive track.
Usually, the immune system reacts to defend the body from offending microbes and substances that may have entered the body. In the case of Crohn’s disease, the immune system's response is defending the body not only against invaders but also against helpful microbes. A faulty immune system can also consider foods as threats. It can even attack itself.
When this happens, the immune system floods the area with white blood cells and inflammatory agents that may cause diarrhea, pain and ulcer. In time, chronic inflammation makes the lining of the small intestine swollen and brittle, and may lead to complications.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Symptoms of Crohn's disease may vary from person to person. Some patients may suffer symptoms often and others hardly ever. The usual symptom is inflammation with pain and tenderness in the right lower part of the abdomen. When the immune system launches an attack on what it sees as invaders in the intestine, it floods the area with white blood cells. The attack causes inflammation to the area. Chronic inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can impair the proper function of tissues and organs, which may lead to ulcerations and bowel injury.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease can be mild to severe. Inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can cause sores that penetrate deep into the intestinal walls. The ulceration causes narrowing and slows down food from progressing to the colon. The obstructions bring pain and swelling, and may reduce a person’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.
Symptoms can be disabling. Diarrhea is a common symptom among patients of Crohn's disease. The symptom is caused by the abnormal secretion of water and salt from the intestine. Diarrhea may be blood-spattered and painful, and may require doctor’s attention. While this is rare, this can occur.
Possible Complications of Crohn’s Disease
The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is intestinal blockage. Blockage may occur when the intestinal wall has thickened due to scarring and swelling. The condition may cause severe cramps and vomiting. Intestinal blockage can slow down the proper digestion of food. As a result, children with Crohn’s disease may suffer from malnutrition that could result in delayed growth.
Other complications that may develop with Crohn's disease are fistulas, toxic megacolon and cancer. Toxic megacolon can occur when the inflammation has spread into the deeper layers of the colon. As a result, the colon can become enlarged and be paralyzed. The massive opening of the colon and rupture of the intestine are complications that are considered life threatening. They could lead to colon cancer or cancer of the small bowel. The risk increases with the severity of the condition and the length of time the patient has had Crohn's disease.
Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect both men and women usually between their teens and late twenties. It is considered a disease of young adults, however a second peak may occur at a later age. The disease can occur with other aging related conditions like heart problems and diabetes.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease yet. At this time, treatments and medications aim to reduce inflammation and treat symptoms. Treatment for adults with Crohn’s disease is similar to that for younger patients and includes diet management, medication and surgery. In cases of serious malnutrition, patients may need force-feeding through the nose or through the abdominal wall. Severe cases will need surgical treatment wherein a portion of the intestine is cut out and the healthy ends are sewn together.
Research and studies on Crohn’s disease are still being carried out to find new treatments and ways to prevent it. While researchers are at it, it is wise for patients to strive to stay as healthy as possible. Do your best to eat a well-balanced diet and focus on getting enough of those essential nutrients from the recommended food groups. Fibers derived from broccoli and plantain could inhibit the progress of Crohn's disease. Crohn’s disease is a long-term disease that is debilitating, so keep healthy.
Resources:
- 2007 Johns Hopkins White Papers: Digestive Disorders By Sergey Kantsevoy
- About Crohn's Disease, CCFA, Ccfa.org
- Crohn's Disease In-Depth Report, Health.nytimes.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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