Crohn's Disease and Treatment Options

Crohn's disease, which is also called regional enteritis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gastrointestinal system. It is characterized by inflammation that greatly affects the bowel system and skip lesions, where the areas in between become painfully inflamed. This inflammatory bowel disease affects the gastrointestinal tract from the time food goes into the mouth and throughout the entirety of the digestive system.

Symptoms of Crohn's disease can include stomach pain, gall stones, kidney stones, inflammation of the mouth, inflammation of the eyes, constipation, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, nausea and even some non-gastrointestinal symptoms like arthritis, inflammation of the joints, and rashes of on the skin all over the body.

This disease was originally discovered back in the early 1900's by a surgeon by the name of Antoni Lesniowski. It has been known to develop in people who are as very young children through old age, and it tends to run in families, thus it most likely carries a genetic link.

The cause is not known, nor is a cure available as of 2011, however it is believed to have an autoimmune disorder factor involved, allowing for more specified research into possible treatments and hopefully, cures.

Although there is no cure, there are treatments that can put the disease into possible remission. This includes steroid treatments and some non-conventional treatments with natural herbs, as well as diet.

One way some people hold their symptoms in check is by avoiding certain foods such as dairy products, gluten products, grain foods, artificial food coloring, and by sticking to purely organic foods that have not been treated with any herbicides nor pesticides. Also avoiding processed foods seems to give some people relief.

Regular exercise, about half an hour each day can also offer some relief, as it assists in the digestion of foods, thus, in elimination as well. It does not need to be any type of super strenuous activity, just a half hour of walking each day is enough to offer some relief to most.

Because of the fact that each person's body is different, it is advisable to keep track of what you eat and note if it has an adverse effect. If it does then discontinue eating that particular type of food.

If you are afflicted with this disease the it is wise to seek the advice of a physician, as there are new medications that are on the market which could possibly help.

Resources:

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/creating-a-crohns-disease-diet-plan

http://colitis.emedtv.com/crohn%27s-disease/crohn%27s-disease-diet.html