What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease that targets the large and small intestine. This disorder can affect the entire digestive tract in some cases. Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease.The intestines becomes inflamed due to the body's immune system attacking the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease is similar to another disease called ulcerative colitis, except for ulcerative colitis only damages the colon. There is presently no cure for either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Individuals are usually diagnosed with Crohn's disease during their late teens or early twenties. The onset of Crohn's disease affects the inner surface of the bowel by creating scattered abrasions there. The erosions on the bowel surface are known as aphthous ulcers. As time passes the ulcers will expand in depth and width, leading to the induration and scarification of the bowels. In later stages of the disease the bowels constrict until obstruction is inevitable.

The first symptoms experienced by many who have Crohn's disease is pain in the abdomen. Diarrhea is a common side effect of the disease. Some other symptoms of the disease include frequent defecation sometimes up to twenty times in one day,vomiting, anal fissures, oral aphthous ulcers , and weight loss. Crohn's disease also wreaks havoc on the body's other organ systems,inflammation of the eyes, joints, anemia, and osteoporosis can occur . Physicians are still not sure as to why certain individuals develop this disease. Individuals who smoke cigarettes and have diets high in sugar and low in fiber seem to be susceptible to developing Crohn's disease. They also believe their to be a direct link between lacking exposure to common illnesses to boost your body's natural defenses. By not giving your immune system a chance to grow and fight different types of bacteria it can prevent your immune system from reacting properly in the future.

Crohn's disease is commonly diagnosed by performing a colonoscopy or a barium enema on an individual who is experiencing abdominal discomfort. The course of treatment often includes the usage of antibiotics to fight infections, anti inflammatory medications, and steroids such as Prednisone. Prednisone is not taken on a consistent basis however due to the fact that continued steroid usage can cause more health issues . When bowels become obstructed surgery is often used to remedy that issue. Changing eating habits can also have a positive effect on the treatment of Crohn's disease. Rather than eating three large meals many physicians advise eating several smaller meals through out the day.

Sources:
www.ccfa.org