Crohn’s disease is a disease that affects between 500,000-700,000 people nationwide. Crohn’s disease was named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn who first described the disease in 1932. He described Crohn’s disease as a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. This disease belongs to a larger group of conditions referred to as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract which leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea and in some cases, malnutrition.
Crohn’s disease can be a debilitating disease with no cure but with the proper diet and education people can live with little disruption to their lives. Crohn’s disease can also affect people on many different levels. People with Crohn’s disease often present differently than the next patient with Crohn’s disease so knowing how to manage your symptoms is key to your overall health when dealing with this disease. Crohn’s disease is described as an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract however “Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Most commonly it occurs in the end of the ileum and the beginning of the colon.
Next most commonly it occurs just in the end of the ileum. Third most commonly it occurs just in the colon. Here it may be patchy or continuous, and may or may not involve the rectum. ” (Saibil, 8) The most common symptom of Crohn’s disease is abdominal pain and diarrhea, however are not limited to the sign and symptoms of rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, fever, ulcers, joint pain and fatigue. Crohn’s disease is considered a chronic disease, so there may be a time where the disease is in remission, sometimes even for years, where they are free from symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Unfortunately there is no indication of when or where these symptoms may flare up for a person diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. There are many theories as to what actually causes Crohn’s disease. In the past it was suspected that things such as diet and stress caused the disease but now doctors know that these aren’t the cause but they may be factors that aggravate existing Crohn’s disease. However, researchers now believe that there are a number of factors that contribute to the development of Crohn’s disease including malfunctioning immune systems, and heredity.
These researchers say that a possible virus or bacterium may trigger the disease when the immune system tries fighting off the microorganism, and abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract as well. Experts are lead to believe that one or more genes may make people more susceptible to the disease because it is more common in people who have family members with the disease, however, most people diagnosed with Crohn’s disease do not have a family history of the disease. Typically a person is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease between the ages of 15 and 35.
Although the causes of this disease are not well understood, researchers believe that there is not one specific “type” of person that is more prone than another but that 5-20 percent of people that have the disease also have a first degree family member with the disease as well and it is not suspected that the disease can be passed on to a person’s offspring. Researchers have also stated that they do not believe the disease is contagious even though it is found in families with one or more person being affected by the disease. In Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health, John E. King M. D.
writes “Crohn’s disease is more prevalent in developed nations and in cities. This has led some experts to speculate that environmental factors, such as diet, may play a role. People living in urban centers tend to eat more fatty foods than people in rural areas. Another theory is that people living in nations with cleaner environments may be “victims” of good hygiene and public health measures. As a result, they’re vulnerable to infections later in life, causing their immune systems to overreact. (King, 100) There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease and there is not one specific treatment that works for any specific individual.
There are many methods and treatments that can help control the disease. The goals of these treatments are to correct nutritional deficiencies, control inflammation and relieve pain. These treatments include but are not limited to medication, diet and nutrition and surgery. Medications typically include anti-inflammatory drugs in order to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Doctors believe that diet and nutrition play a big part in the reducing of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Doctors recommend eating more bland foods versus spicy foods and avoiding dairy products.
Medication and diet can help control Crohn’s disease but two thirds to half of people diagnosed with Crohn’s disease will require surgery at some point in their life. Surgery becomes necessary when medications can no longer control the symptoms. However, Dr. Steven R. Peikin designs a self-help nutritional program for his patients that he sees at his gastrointestinal practice in New Jersey. He began developing this program by listing all of the common gastrointestinal disorders and their symptoms and then identified the foods and eating habits that go along with the primary symptom.
From that he was able to develop a plan and find the six highly notable factors responsible for most of the symptoms. While applying the latest nutritional research to the six factors he turned them into nutritional principles for his patients to follow and ease the disease. The six principles are high fiber, low fat, low lactose, low spice, low gas-forming legumes and low calories. “This self-help nutritional program represents a breakthrough in the treatment of digestive problems, because it is not a one-note theory. It doesn’t depend on drugs or on severe restriction of many foods.
It is a high-fiber, low-fat, totally balanced diet that works in harmony with your digestive tract. ” (Peikin, 5) Researchers are continually conducting clinical trials with Crohn’s disease as there is yet still no known cause for the disease. In the October 18, 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) an article appeared in regards to an antibody proven to treat the skin condition called psoriasis and the same antibody having a positive result in decreasing the debilitation effects of Crohn’s disease. People living with this disease often struggle if they can’t find ways to manage Crohn’s disease.
The disease affects a person’s diet and what they can eat. A sufferer will need to be able to count on their family for support and guidance when having this disease. A person’s diet and the food that they eat may need to be altered when going to family functions so making sure that family has a very good understanding of the disease and what a person diagnosed with Crohn’s disease are personally going through will be key to their success when managing the disease. Crohn’s disease can also affect a person’s life socially.
With all of the different symptoms that come along with this disease it is very important for one to know things when they go out in to the community. Knowing where the bathrooms are at a favorite restaurant or shopping mall may prove difficult at first, but with a little time a person will feel comfortable knowing that this small factor can have a huge impact when they are out and about. Another thing that people with the disease need to do is plan accordingly depending on what they are doing. Preparing medication and extra clothing may be necessary in the event that a person with the disease has an attack.
Although inconvenient, knowing how a sufferer’s body reacts to their symptoms, they always need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Another thing that is important for people suffering with Crohn’s disease is to join a support group. It may sound silly to join a group for this type of disease, it is important that they speak with other people who experience the same things that they may experience. Being able to talk openly about the disease with help someone manage their symptoms and also be an advocate for other people that they may know suffering with the disease.
In addition, avoid stressful situations. Research has found that people who suffer from the disease have attacks associated with stressful situations. It is important that a person take care of themselves and avoid triggers for their attacks such as these types of situations. Avoiding any thing that will cause a person with Crohn’s to be in a situation that may become stressful will be helpful with keeping the symptoms subdued. Having family support when it comes to stressful situations will also be key to a person’s success when trying to manage the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
In conclusion you can see that there are many people who suffer from the disease but with proper habits its symptoms can be subdued and tolerable. It is my hope that research will continue and that someday researchers and doctors will not only find a way to more specifically treat Crohn’s disease but will find a way to cure the disease as well.
Works Cited “Crohn’s & Colitis. ” CCFA: What Is Crohn’s Disease. N. p. , n. d. Web. 10 June 2013. King, John E. Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic, 2000. Print. “The New England Journal of Medicine. ” Ustekinumab Induction and Maintenance
Therapy in Refractory Crohn’s Disease — NEJM. N. p. , n. d. Web. 10 June 2013. Peikin, Steven R. Gastrointestinal Health: The Proven Nutritional Program to Prevent, Cure, or Alleviate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Ulcers, Gas, Constipation, Heartburn, and Many Other Digestive Disorders. New York: Perennial Currents, 2004. Print. Saibil, Fred. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Everything You Need to Know. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly, 2009. Print. Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Definition. ” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 09 Aug. 2011. Web. 10 June 2013.