What Is Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is basically an inflammatory disease of the alimentary canal. The inflammation is of the granulomatous variety and is characterized by non specific inflammatory spots. The location of the disease can be anywhere along the alimentary tract, beginning from the mouth or the buccal cavity to the anus.
Previously it was known as Regional Ileitis or Enteritis. But those were misnomers considering the fact that the inflammation is not confined to the small or the large intestine.
Aetiology:
The exact causes or Aetiology of Crohn's disease is unknown. But several factors like Infections, usage of Oral contraceptives, Smoking and Abnormal immunological responses of the body have all been found to contribute to the cause of Crohn's disease.
Clinical features:
The Crohn's disease likes to surprise its patients by several unwarned exacerbations and remissions. The main symptoms are as listed below:
Pain:
Pain is frequently complained of in the lower abdomen, on the right side. The pain may be accompanied by local tenderness. On palpation, a lump or mass may be felt by the attending physician. The pains may come repeatedly, and in case of acute exacerbations, there may be loose and formed stools, with attending fever.
Diarrhea:
Diarrhea may be there but it is usually only found in patients with an exacerbation of the existing disease.
Weight loss:
There may be marked weight loss due to the chronic loss of appetite, diarrhea and general digestive troubles.
In addition to the above digestive symptoms, there may be other symptoms associated with the Crohn's disease, like Uveitis, Arthritis etc.
The skin symptoms range from erythema nodosum to pyoderma gangrenosum.
It can affect the veins and the circulatory system and be manifested as deep vein thrombosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia etc.
It affects the loco motor system and the bones creating a clinical picture of Osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, seronegative spondylo arthropathy etc. The nails may also present a picture of clubbing which may be related to the chronic anemia or even due to the circulatory disorders.
Neurological symptoms include epileptic convulsions, cardiovascular stroke, peripheral neuropathy and chronic depression.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is usually done by clinical symptoms and Colonoscopy. A Barium meal X-ray is very helpful in locating the exact spot of inflammation and stricture.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment discovered yet. The treatment is usually symptomatic, and is necessary only during acute exacerbations. The acute symptoms are generally treated with anti-biotics and in severe case steroidal treatment like Hydrocortisone is given.
Showing posts with label Crohn's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crohn's. Show all posts
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Living With Crohn's Disease
Living With Crohn's Disease
Living with crohn's disease can be a very stressful affair considering its nature. Crohn's disease actually has a direct impact on the digestive system and can lead to several digestive related disorders. To successfully manage the condition, a patient needs to have a good way of predicting his/her symptoms so that they can always take preventive measures as opposed to resorting to curative measures. Different patients react differently to the diseases depending on their body's composition.
Important factors to consider
There are several factors that influence the development and fluctuating trends of the disease. All these must be carefully considered by the patient I order to efficiently manage the condition. Crohn's disease is mostly characterized by remissions and relapses which will no doubt affect the patient's general lifestyle. Basing on the fact that the disease is chronic, it is quite vital to constantly keep watch of its symptoms to avoid the chances of the disease getting out of hand.
Remission
Most crohn's disease patients experience periodic flare-ups of symptoms. During such occasions the patient is attacked by several of the resultant complications such as diarrhea and fevers not to mention indigestion and fatigue. All this conditions add up to loss of appetite and subsequent loss of weight and other diseases which may be triggered off by nutritional deficiency that follows the lack of appetite. To manage these circumstances it is important to observe a strict diet. The diet should include lots of fluids to take care of the water loss occasioned by bouts of diarrhea which is usually common with crohn's disease patients.
A serious risk to crohn's disease patients is colorectal cancer. Most of the patients suffer from blotted stomachs and indigestion related complications. Constant blotting leads to failure in the excretory system and subsequent problems in the colon. The colon most likely develops wounds as is common in the case of ulcers. This wounds if left untreated may lead to the development of cancerous growth in the colon. The colorectal cancer should be prevented from taking root in a patient at all costs. This can only be possible if the patient ensures that the wounds that develop in the colon are treated in timely manner to avoid giving the cancer an opportunity to develop. All however is not lost for patients who may have been unlucky enough to develop the colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy or barium-enema can save the situation from getting out of management.
Living with crohn's disease can be a very stressful affair considering its nature. Crohn's disease actually has a direct impact on the digestive system and can lead to several digestive related disorders. To successfully manage the condition, a patient needs to have a good way of predicting his/her symptoms so that they can always take preventive measures as opposed to resorting to curative measures. Different patients react differently to the diseases depending on their body's composition.
Important factors to consider
There are several factors that influence the development and fluctuating trends of the disease. All these must be carefully considered by the patient I order to efficiently manage the condition. Crohn's disease is mostly characterized by remissions and relapses which will no doubt affect the patient's general lifestyle. Basing on the fact that the disease is chronic, it is quite vital to constantly keep watch of its symptoms to avoid the chances of the disease getting out of hand.
Remission
Most crohn's disease patients experience periodic flare-ups of symptoms. During such occasions the patient is attacked by several of the resultant complications such as diarrhea and fevers not to mention indigestion and fatigue. All this conditions add up to loss of appetite and subsequent loss of weight and other diseases which may be triggered off by nutritional deficiency that follows the lack of appetite. To manage these circumstances it is important to observe a strict diet. The diet should include lots of fluids to take care of the water loss occasioned by bouts of diarrhea which is usually common with crohn's disease patients.
A serious risk to crohn's disease patients is colorectal cancer. Most of the patients suffer from blotted stomachs and indigestion related complications. Constant blotting leads to failure in the excretory system and subsequent problems in the colon. The colon most likely develops wounds as is common in the case of ulcers. This wounds if left untreated may lead to the development of cancerous growth in the colon. The colorectal cancer should be prevented from taking root in a patient at all costs. This can only be possible if the patient ensures that the wounds that develop in the colon are treated in timely manner to avoid giving the cancer an opportunity to develop. All however is not lost for patients who may have been unlucky enough to develop the colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy or barium-enema can save the situation from getting out of management.
Humira Crohn's Disease
Humira Crohn's Disease
Humira (adalimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that functions by blocking the Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a very active cytokine that is responsible for the inflammatory process. Individuals suffering from Crohn's disease have exhibited an abnormal amount of the TNF-alpha; hence Humira will stop it from being used by the body.
Humira, which comes in the form of an injection, contains the active ingredient adalimumab, a kind of medicine known as human monoclonal antibody. This functions by suppressing part of the human's immune system hence modifying the inflammation process. The Humira Crohn's disease injection is given beneath the skin either at home or by a doctor in a hospital.
Humira Crohn's disease is normally prescribed when all other Crohn's medications have failed to work, or if the symptoms of the disease become overly severe. It is injected either weekly or once every other week, with a dosage of 40mgs. Note that the location where the drug is injected should not be repeated twice in a row i.e. patients ought to rotate where they inject Humira - mostly on the front of either thigh or the abdomen.
Successful effect of Humira for Crohn's disease is that it substantially reduces the symptoms of the disease i.e. diarrhea, fatigue, and pain, and sometimes may induce remission. The most common side effects of this injection are irritation, pain, itching or swelling at the location of injection. Nausea, rash, and headache are other common Humira side effects.
Be advised that there is a high chance of developing serious infections when using Humira. Infections such as TB, as well as bacterial, fungal, or viral infections which have already spread through the body are just few of the many examples. Developing some adverse side effects like allergic reactions, some form of cancer, nervous system problems, hepatitis B reactivation, some immune reactions, heart failure, and blood problems are other examples of the side effects of using Humira for Crohn's disease.
As such, it is highly recommended that Humira is used only as a prescription drug, and even in that case, it should not be taken with any other TNF-blocking agent like methotrexate, live vaccines, or kineret (anakinra). Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any type of medication that is known to suppress the immune system. But by and large, in Crohn's disease treatment, Humira considerably reduces the movement of inflammatory cells to the inflamed parts of the intestines.
Humira (adalimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that functions by blocking the Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a very active cytokine that is responsible for the inflammatory process. Individuals suffering from Crohn's disease have exhibited an abnormal amount of the TNF-alpha; hence Humira will stop it from being used by the body.
Humira, which comes in the form of an injection, contains the active ingredient adalimumab, a kind of medicine known as human monoclonal antibody. This functions by suppressing part of the human's immune system hence modifying the inflammation process. The Humira Crohn's disease injection is given beneath the skin either at home or by a doctor in a hospital.
Humira Crohn's disease is normally prescribed when all other Crohn's medications have failed to work, or if the symptoms of the disease become overly severe. It is injected either weekly or once every other week, with a dosage of 40mgs. Note that the location where the drug is injected should not be repeated twice in a row i.e. patients ought to rotate where they inject Humira - mostly on the front of either thigh or the abdomen.
Successful effect of Humira for Crohn's disease is that it substantially reduces the symptoms of the disease i.e. diarrhea, fatigue, and pain, and sometimes may induce remission. The most common side effects of this injection are irritation, pain, itching or swelling at the location of injection. Nausea, rash, and headache are other common Humira side effects.
Be advised that there is a high chance of developing serious infections when using Humira. Infections such as TB, as well as bacterial, fungal, or viral infections which have already spread through the body are just few of the many examples. Developing some adverse side effects like allergic reactions, some form of cancer, nervous system problems, hepatitis B reactivation, some immune reactions, heart failure, and blood problems are other examples of the side effects of using Humira for Crohn's disease.
As such, it is highly recommended that Humira is used only as a prescription drug, and even in that case, it should not be taken with any other TNF-blocking agent like methotrexate, live vaccines, or kineret (anakinra). Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any type of medication that is known to suppress the immune system. But by and large, in Crohn's disease treatment, Humira considerably reduces the movement of inflammatory cells to the inflamed parts of the intestines.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Crohn's Disease Test
Crohn's Disease Test
Crohn's disease is a disease characterized by localized areas of non- specific, granulomatous inflammation of the bowel. Formerly called as ileitis or enteritis, those names were considered a total misnomer, because Crohn's disease is not limited to the small intestine or the large intestine.
It can affect the whole alimentary canal beginning from the mouth and ending in the rectum.
Pathology of Crohn's disease:
The Crohn's disease is a basically an area of inflammation in the bowel. When seen under the microscope, the small intestine looks totally narrowed ulcerated and there is atypical cobble stone appearance of the terminal ileum.
When the disease has affected the large intestine, it looks totally similar to the findings in Ulcerative colitis. The segments affected are quite short, but there is lot of strictures and ulceration. Proctitis alone may be present or may be fistulas also may be present.
When affecting the anus, there are chronic fissures, fistula and ulceration.
When the duodenum is affected, there are ulcerations, thickening of the folds and narrowing of the lumen.
When affecting the stomach, Crohn's disease can resemble Carcinoma or cancer and there is thickening of the antrum of the stomach.
When affecting the mouth, there are buccal ulcers like apthae.
Croh's disease can rarely affect the skin too and it results in ulceration of the perineum, genitalia and abdominal wall.
Clinical Tests:
The diagnosis of Crohn's disease is usually done clinically depending on the symptoms of the disease. The other investigative procedures are done only to assess the extent of the disease.
The extent of the disease is assessed by many tests like Barium Meal, Barium follow through, Barium enema examination etc.
The barium meal and follow through reveals a typical string sign, which is diagnostic of the Crohn's disease. In long standing case there is stricture formation also.
Endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum may be required if the barium studies turn out abnormal.
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are usually required when the abnormalities extend in to the colon and are capable of finding out or detecting the rectal Crohn's disease when the barium X-ray has failed to detect it.
Biopsies of the rectum and/ or the colon can reveal the ulcers even if they are not visible with the naked eye.
Blood tests show a moderate Anemia (normochromic, normocytic, or hypochromic anemia)
Additionally there may be a raises ESR level, marked leucocytosis, abnormal liver function tests and also hyproteinaemia
Crohn's disease is a disease characterized by localized areas of non- specific, granulomatous inflammation of the bowel. Formerly called as ileitis or enteritis, those names were considered a total misnomer, because Crohn's disease is not limited to the small intestine or the large intestine.
It can affect the whole alimentary canal beginning from the mouth and ending in the rectum.
Pathology of Crohn's disease:
The Crohn's disease is a basically an area of inflammation in the bowel. When seen under the microscope, the small intestine looks totally narrowed ulcerated and there is atypical cobble stone appearance of the terminal ileum.
When the disease has affected the large intestine, it looks totally similar to the findings in Ulcerative colitis. The segments affected are quite short, but there is lot of strictures and ulceration. Proctitis alone may be present or may be fistulas also may be present.
When affecting the anus, there are chronic fissures, fistula and ulceration.
When the duodenum is affected, there are ulcerations, thickening of the folds and narrowing of the lumen.
When affecting the stomach, Crohn's disease can resemble Carcinoma or cancer and there is thickening of the antrum of the stomach.
When affecting the mouth, there are buccal ulcers like apthae.
Croh's disease can rarely affect the skin too and it results in ulceration of the perineum, genitalia and abdominal wall.
Clinical Tests:
The diagnosis of Crohn's disease is usually done clinically depending on the symptoms of the disease. The other investigative procedures are done only to assess the extent of the disease.
The extent of the disease is assessed by many tests like Barium Meal, Barium follow through, Barium enema examination etc.
The barium meal and follow through reveals a typical string sign, which is diagnostic of the Crohn's disease. In long standing case there is stricture formation also.
Endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum may be required if the barium studies turn out abnormal.
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are usually required when the abnormalities extend in to the colon and are capable of finding out or detecting the rectal Crohn's disease when the barium X-ray has failed to detect it.
Biopsies of the rectum and/ or the colon can reveal the ulcers even if they are not visible with the naked eye.
Blood tests show a moderate Anemia (normochromic, normocytic, or hypochromic anemia)
Additionally there may be a raises ESR level, marked leucocytosis, abnormal liver function tests and also hyproteinaemia
Crohn?s Disease Information
Crohn?s Disease Information
Anyone suffering with Crohn?s Disease knows well the misery that this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will cause to the digestive tract. The disease starts out with just a twinge in the lower bowels and gradually progresses until the symptoms range from abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, malnutrition, blood in the stool, ulcers and severe weight loss. Once this disease is fully active, symptoms progress from the simply annoying to the severe and dangerous. Patients begin to develope fevers, chronic fatigue, arthritis, eye inflammation, skin disorders, and in children, even delayed growth and or sexual developement.
Researchers?have yet to locate the exact cause of Crohn?s disease. For years many doctors?suspected that diet and stress were the culprits but now these factors are known to only aggravate the condition. Currently the two possible causes being investigated are that the immune system it having a difficult time fighting off a virus or bacterium because the system is abnormal in some way.
There are a number of risk factors for Crohn?s Disease. While you can contract it at any age the most likely ages are between 20 and 30. Caucasians have a much higher chance to contract Crohn?s than any ethnic group other than Ashkenazi Jews and if you have a close family member with it there is a 1 in 5 chance that you will develope the disease also. Smokers are more likely to need surgery after developing Crohn?s than are non-smokers and finally, if you live in an urban area or in an industrialized country, you are more likely to contract Crohn?s, or if you live in a northern climate. Many doctors recommend careful use of both Isotretinion (Accutane), and any non steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibrprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, which, while not shown to cause Crohn?s can cause similar symptoms, or aggravate existing conditions.
Research has yet to locate a cure for Crohn?s Disease, but there are therapies and medications that can assist in reducing the symptoms to tolerable levels, or even bring a lasting remission. The primary end goal of any treatment is to reduce the symptoms, such as the painful inflammation. Two common treatments are the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and Immune system supressors. While both of these treatments work on different areas, both are used to reduce the main problem which is the inflammation. Other treatments include the use of anti-biotics to attack abcesses that may develope and laxatives, pain relievers, iron suppliments and special diets.
Anyone suffering with Crohn?s Disease knows well the misery that this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will cause to the digestive tract. The disease starts out with just a twinge in the lower bowels and gradually progresses until the symptoms range from abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, malnutrition, blood in the stool, ulcers and severe weight loss. Once this disease is fully active, symptoms progress from the simply annoying to the severe and dangerous. Patients begin to develope fevers, chronic fatigue, arthritis, eye inflammation, skin disorders, and in children, even delayed growth and or sexual developement.
Researchers?have yet to locate the exact cause of Crohn?s disease. For years many doctors?suspected that diet and stress were the culprits but now these factors are known to only aggravate the condition. Currently the two possible causes being investigated are that the immune system it having a difficult time fighting off a virus or bacterium because the system is abnormal in some way.
There are a number of risk factors for Crohn?s Disease. While you can contract it at any age the most likely ages are between 20 and 30. Caucasians have a much higher chance to contract Crohn?s than any ethnic group other than Ashkenazi Jews and if you have a close family member with it there is a 1 in 5 chance that you will develope the disease also. Smokers are more likely to need surgery after developing Crohn?s than are non-smokers and finally, if you live in an urban area or in an industrialized country, you are more likely to contract Crohn?s, or if you live in a northern climate. Many doctors recommend careful use of both Isotretinion (Accutane), and any non steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibrprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, which, while not shown to cause Crohn?s can cause similar symptoms, or aggravate existing conditions.
Research has yet to locate a cure for Crohn?s Disease, but there are therapies and medications that can assist in reducing the symptoms to tolerable levels, or even bring a lasting remission. The primary end goal of any treatment is to reduce the symptoms, such as the painful inflammation. Two common treatments are the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and Immune system supressors. While both of these treatments work on different areas, both are used to reduce the main problem which is the inflammation. Other treatments include the use of anti-biotics to attack abcesses that may develope and laxatives, pain relievers, iron suppliments and special diets.
Crohn's Disease Forum
Crohn's Disease Forum
This is a forum which brings together victims of the Crohn's disease the world over. It also includes people suffering from ulcerative diseases, gastrointestinal and bowel related diseases and conditions as well as other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This forum offers members the chance to meet other people who suffer from similar diseases and share their conditions and at the same time get informational tips and support to help them cope with these conditions. People of all genders and age are welcome to these forums no matter what their condition is. And you will get all the confidentiality that you want because this forum provides anonymous posting which goes a long way to ensure that everybody gets the support and help they may need.
Most if not all of the forums require registration which is normally free. Members are advised to get acquainted with the rules and regulations before joining.
New members are encouraged to reveal their stories and introduce themselves to all the members. They are further encouraged to feel free and pour their hearts out, for it is always said that the first step of solving a problem is sharing it out. By doing this, the victims of these diseases are able to know that thousands of people also suffer from these diseases and not just them alone. They also learn how their fellows coped and can also learn a few tips from them.
This forum has a wealth of resources at its disposal to help the people with Crohn's. This is because, due to a growing number in the membership of those with this condition, people have been contributing materials and resources to help their fellow friends and families alike. In one site alone, I found that there were 414 topics and 871 responses and comments. This means there is a good chance you will find the best answer to your question.
The forum also extends an olive branch to people who may know people suffering from these conditions and inform them of the presence of such forums where they can meet and exchange views with people who suffer from similar conditions.
You are also, as a victim, able to see what other people have said, what questions they asked and the comments they make without necessarily registering. This just means you can gain a lot of information by merely visiting the site. The goodness of it all is that the info that you will get is not from some professor who claims to know much about these conditions but from the victims themselves.
This is a forum which brings together victims of the Crohn's disease the world over. It also includes people suffering from ulcerative diseases, gastrointestinal and bowel related diseases and conditions as well as other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This forum offers members the chance to meet other people who suffer from similar diseases and share their conditions and at the same time get informational tips and support to help them cope with these conditions. People of all genders and age are welcome to these forums no matter what their condition is. And you will get all the confidentiality that you want because this forum provides anonymous posting which goes a long way to ensure that everybody gets the support and help they may need.
Most if not all of the forums require registration which is normally free. Members are advised to get acquainted with the rules and regulations before joining.
New members are encouraged to reveal their stories and introduce themselves to all the members. They are further encouraged to feel free and pour their hearts out, for it is always said that the first step of solving a problem is sharing it out. By doing this, the victims of these diseases are able to know that thousands of people also suffer from these diseases and not just them alone. They also learn how their fellows coped and can also learn a few tips from them.
This forum has a wealth of resources at its disposal to help the people with Crohn's. This is because, due to a growing number in the membership of those with this condition, people have been contributing materials and resources to help their fellow friends and families alike. In one site alone, I found that there were 414 topics and 871 responses and comments. This means there is a good chance you will find the best answer to your question.
The forum also extends an olive branch to people who may know people suffering from these conditions and inform them of the presence of such forums where they can meet and exchange views with people who suffer from similar conditions.
You are also, as a victim, able to see what other people have said, what questions they asked and the comments they make without necessarily registering. This just means you can gain a lot of information by merely visiting the site. The goodness of it all is that the info that you will get is not from some professor who claims to know much about these conditions but from the victims themselves.
Crohn's Disease Symptoms
Crohn's Disease Symptoms
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines and bowels, it can have both short- and long-term effects apart from affecting the digestive system it can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease range from mild to severe, long term and short term. Symptoms may come on gradually or suddenly, without warning to the sufferer. There may be also a time when you think that you don't have the disease any longer only to have the symptoms return.
There are several symptoms of Crohn's disease.
Diarrhoea - This could be persistent and contain blood, pus and mucus. Patients may experience frequent loose or watery bowel movements with thick dark blood. Diarrhoea is the most common problem for people with Crohn's.
Abdominal pain with a swelling - Patients may suffer pain and cramping with slight or moderate intestinal discomfort. The pain occurs due to inflammation and ulcers which cause the bowel to swell and affect the normal movement of contents through the digestive system. Very often, patients with Crohn's disease feel pain on the lower right side of the abdomen and below the bellybutton.
Have redness and inflammation of the eyes, joint pains. All joints can be affected. Areas such as the large joints of the knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and shoulders are prone to this.
Skin lesions- including tender red nodules on the shins or calves.
Sores or ulcers in the mouth- Crohn's disease cause small sores on the surface of the intestine. They become large ulcers and penetrate and spread deep into intestinal walls. This causes ulcers in the mouth.
Blood in the stools- Food moving through the digestive system causes inflamed tissue to bleed. There would be bright red blood in the toilet with darker blood mixed with the stools.
Poor appetite and weight loss- Abdominal pain, cramping mouth ulcers and the inflamed wall of the bowel will no doubt affect the appetite and ability to digest and absorb food. The digestive process would be usually slower than of a healthy person.
Anaemia - bowel bleeding can lead to an anaemic condition.
Other symptoms include, fever, fatigue, arthritis, skin disorders, inflammation of the liver, delayed growth or ulcers on the skin, fertility problems in sexual development with an increased risk of miscarriages, tears, ulcers and/or abscesses around the anus.
If Crohn's disease is neglected is could lead to abscesses in the abdomen and increases the risk of bowel cancer.
Treatment for Crohn's disease includes, changing the quality of life by eating a healthy diet, medication and surgery. Medication and surgery is recommended if the case is severe.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines and bowels, it can have both short- and long-term effects apart from affecting the digestive system it can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease range from mild to severe, long term and short term. Symptoms may come on gradually or suddenly, without warning to the sufferer. There may be also a time when you think that you don't have the disease any longer only to have the symptoms return.
There are several symptoms of Crohn's disease.
Diarrhoea - This could be persistent and contain blood, pus and mucus. Patients may experience frequent loose or watery bowel movements with thick dark blood. Diarrhoea is the most common problem for people with Crohn's.
Abdominal pain with a swelling - Patients may suffer pain and cramping with slight or moderate intestinal discomfort. The pain occurs due to inflammation and ulcers which cause the bowel to swell and affect the normal movement of contents through the digestive system. Very often, patients with Crohn's disease feel pain on the lower right side of the abdomen and below the bellybutton.
Have redness and inflammation of the eyes, joint pains. All joints can be affected. Areas such as the large joints of the knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and shoulders are prone to this.
Skin lesions- including tender red nodules on the shins or calves.
Sores or ulcers in the mouth- Crohn's disease cause small sores on the surface of the intestine. They become large ulcers and penetrate and spread deep into intestinal walls. This causes ulcers in the mouth.
Blood in the stools- Food moving through the digestive system causes inflamed tissue to bleed. There would be bright red blood in the toilet with darker blood mixed with the stools.
Poor appetite and weight loss- Abdominal pain, cramping mouth ulcers and the inflamed wall of the bowel will no doubt affect the appetite and ability to digest and absorb food. The digestive process would be usually slower than of a healthy person.
Anaemia - bowel bleeding can lead to an anaemic condition.
Other symptoms include, fever, fatigue, arthritis, skin disorders, inflammation of the liver, delayed growth or ulcers on the skin, fertility problems in sexual development with an increased risk of miscarriages, tears, ulcers and/or abscesses around the anus.
If Crohn's disease is neglected is could lead to abscesses in the abdomen and increases the risk of bowel cancer.
Treatment for Crohn's disease includes, changing the quality of life by eating a healthy diet, medication and surgery. Medication and surgery is recommended if the case is severe.
Crohn's Disease Support
Crohn's Disease Support
People who suffer from the Crohn's disease always need support. If no help is forthcoming from friends, these patients might feel like they are all alone. They might get into depressive situations that can easily get them into suicide. This is a painful condition whose effects on the patient can be very debilitating.
The first step towards giving help to people with the Crohn's disease is to understand how the disease changes one's life. You can benefit a lot from people who are going through the same problem. You can comfort each other through online or local forums. When engaging in online discussions, you should be sure that the support groups are going to offer you genuine emotional assistance.
Message boards are also important avenues through which one can seek support in the form of advice. As a Crohn's patient, you will want to know many things from people who have previously suffered from the condition. Moreover, you want to feel that you are not all alone in this problem. Chat rooms will give you a lot of comfort at time when you might be starting to feel that life's challenges are too many for you to handle.
When you are communicating with other patients, you will not feel embarrassed about talking about the intricate details of your condition. On the contrary, this gives you a feeling of reassurance and contentment with life. Sometimes, avoid message boards since they do not want to hear too many negative things relating to the Crohn's disease.
Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America is a Crohn's disease support group that offers these patients with the assistance that they need in the course of their treatment. The support group has chapters throughout the country. In case you are taking many medications, this is the best support group to seek membership. It is also through this support group that you will get information on the genetic, lifestyle and ethnicity factors of this disease and their implications on the treatment process.
Understanding the risks factors of this disease is an important step towards getting exposure to prevention measures. This enables patients to know which aspects of their lifestyles they should change in order to avoid getting into more complications. It is important to treat all flare-ups as they arise. Getting education on how the disease will change your life is an important step towards moving forward even when the doctor has broken the bad news relating to the outcome of the diagnosis.
People who suffer from the Crohn's disease always need support. If no help is forthcoming from friends, these patients might feel like they are all alone. They might get into depressive situations that can easily get them into suicide. This is a painful condition whose effects on the patient can be very debilitating.
The first step towards giving help to people with the Crohn's disease is to understand how the disease changes one's life. You can benefit a lot from people who are going through the same problem. You can comfort each other through online or local forums. When engaging in online discussions, you should be sure that the support groups are going to offer you genuine emotional assistance.
Message boards are also important avenues through which one can seek support in the form of advice. As a Crohn's patient, you will want to know many things from people who have previously suffered from the condition. Moreover, you want to feel that you are not all alone in this problem. Chat rooms will give you a lot of comfort at time when you might be starting to feel that life's challenges are too many for you to handle.
When you are communicating with other patients, you will not feel embarrassed about talking about the intricate details of your condition. On the contrary, this gives you a feeling of reassurance and contentment with life. Sometimes, avoid message boards since they do not want to hear too many negative things relating to the Crohn's disease.
Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America is a Crohn's disease support group that offers these patients with the assistance that they need in the course of their treatment. The support group has chapters throughout the country. In case you are taking many medications, this is the best support group to seek membership. It is also through this support group that you will get information on the genetic, lifestyle and ethnicity factors of this disease and their implications on the treatment process.
Understanding the risks factors of this disease is an important step towards getting exposure to prevention measures. This enables patients to know which aspects of their lifestyles they should change in order to avoid getting into more complications. It is important to treat all flare-ups as they arise. Getting education on how the disease will change your life is an important step towards moving forward even when the doctor has broken the bad news relating to the outcome of the diagnosis.
Crohn's Disease Doctors
Crohn's Disease Doctors
Crohn's disease, otherwise known as ulcerative colitis or inflammatory colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease meaning that an infection can be anywhere from the top of the esophagus going down to the rectum. The disease inflames the bowels no wonder it's first symptoms would be dead or deteriorating bowel tissues. Note that there is a difference between Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, although many people tend to confuse the two. IBS and other gastrointestinal diseases are usually limited to the colon and intestines and lack the symptoms such as swelling and redness associated with Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease doctors, who are known as gastroenterologists, advise that this condition mostly makes its first appearance in people between the ages 15-30, although some kids may exhibit early symptoms of the same. Note however that the disease can flare up later on in life, in combination with other age-related conditions. While the main cause of Crohn's disease is yet to be unraveled, crohn's disease doctors as well as researchers believe that it has a close relation to a reaction against a virus or a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
This explains the reason why the disease is an autoimmune condition - the body itself generates the conditions required for a flare-up. Even though the condition is chronic, i.e. it will exist as long as someone suffering from it is alive; it is not a terminal disease. Note however that crohn's disease symptoms may obscure other medical conditions.
Since the disease is a chronic one, be advised that the symptoms may improve sometimes although they will never disappear completely. As such, it is highly advisable to find the right and most qualified Crohn's disease doctor to not only make the right diagnosis but supervise ongoing treatment. First of all you deserve a good doctor and secondly, because you'll be seeing a lot of the crohn's disease doctor, you would want to get someone friendlier, someone you can trust, and feel comfortable to be with.
Crohn's disease doctors are specialists in the digestive system and all digestive organs. Apart from qualifying from the medical school, taking a 3-year internal medicine residency, Crohn's disease doctors also spend 2-3 years in a fellowship program, where they work with patients who have digestive problems and complaints, for them to successfully complete their training. As such, you will always know that there are qualified practitioners out there to handle your chronic condition and advice on the best ways to manage it.
Crohn's disease, otherwise known as ulcerative colitis or inflammatory colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease meaning that an infection can be anywhere from the top of the esophagus going down to the rectum. The disease inflames the bowels no wonder it's first symptoms would be dead or deteriorating bowel tissues. Note that there is a difference between Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, although many people tend to confuse the two. IBS and other gastrointestinal diseases are usually limited to the colon and intestines and lack the symptoms such as swelling and redness associated with Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease doctors, who are known as gastroenterologists, advise that this condition mostly makes its first appearance in people between the ages 15-30, although some kids may exhibit early symptoms of the same. Note however that the disease can flare up later on in life, in combination with other age-related conditions. While the main cause of Crohn's disease is yet to be unraveled, crohn's disease doctors as well as researchers believe that it has a close relation to a reaction against a virus or a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
This explains the reason why the disease is an autoimmune condition - the body itself generates the conditions required for a flare-up. Even though the condition is chronic, i.e. it will exist as long as someone suffering from it is alive; it is not a terminal disease. Note however that crohn's disease symptoms may obscure other medical conditions.
Since the disease is a chronic one, be advised that the symptoms may improve sometimes although they will never disappear completely. As such, it is highly advisable to find the right and most qualified Crohn's disease doctor to not only make the right diagnosis but supervise ongoing treatment. First of all you deserve a good doctor and secondly, because you'll be seeing a lot of the crohn's disease doctor, you would want to get someone friendlier, someone you can trust, and feel comfortable to be with.
Crohn's disease doctors are specialists in the digestive system and all digestive organs. Apart from qualifying from the medical school, taking a 3-year internal medicine residency, Crohn's disease doctors also spend 2-3 years in a fellowship program, where they work with patients who have digestive problems and complaints, for them to successfully complete their training. As such, you will always know that there are qualified practitioners out there to handle your chronic condition and advice on the best ways to manage it.
Crohn's Disease Children
Crohn's Disease Children
Crohn's disease for children is one of the incurable conditions affecting the area around the digestive tract. It has symptoms that are anything but painful and in case it is not treated, it can lead towards a very serious kind of condition later on. As much as children may not be the kind of age group mostly likely to start suffering from Crohn's, there is a potentially high risk in them getting the disease.
Adults and children are usually diagnosed with Crohn's through the use of some kind of diagnostic procedures. However, it has also been quite hard to differentiate Crohn's ailments from a host of many other disorders of the digestive tract. Once it has been pinpointed, you can seek treatment. As you deal with children, you have to recall that because it can affect nutrients absorption within the body, Crohn's could potentially annihilate development and growth in many young sufferers.
Also, children could experience some disruptions within their social and academic development as a result of frequent absence from going to school since Crohn does cause cramping and some severe cases of abdominal pain. It is thus important for any parent to know all the aspects that surround Crohn's disease as well as the ability to relate these cases to their own children. The communication process is not only crucial for Crohn's disease for children sufferers with risks of growth but also for desired sexual maturity.
In addition, because the complications are mostly treated using some forms of medications at a rather early age, it might as a result of pharmaceutical drugs, become really prevalent. A very common medication treatment is aminosalicylates, used in the treatment of moderate to mild cases. Other medications such as corticosteroids are reserved for those severe cases in the reduction of inflammation as well as hopefully driving the condition into clear remission. However, corticosteroids are largely effective where they also lead to some very serious mental and physical side effects.
Because the common medical theory on the causes of Crohn's is digestive tract infection, most medical practitioners use antibiotics in the treatment of the disease. An often acceptable Crohn's disease cause is a response to an autoimmune in ones body. In counteracting this rather over-aggressive body response, there are some immune suppressants that are sometimes offered or prescribed in ratcheting down the child's body ability towards attacking itself.
Crohn's disease for children is one of the incurable conditions affecting the area around the digestive tract. It has symptoms that are anything but painful and in case it is not treated, it can lead towards a very serious kind of condition later on. As much as children may not be the kind of age group mostly likely to start suffering from Crohn's, there is a potentially high risk in them getting the disease.
Adults and children are usually diagnosed with Crohn's through the use of some kind of diagnostic procedures. However, it has also been quite hard to differentiate Crohn's ailments from a host of many other disorders of the digestive tract. Once it has been pinpointed, you can seek treatment. As you deal with children, you have to recall that because it can affect nutrients absorption within the body, Crohn's could potentially annihilate development and growth in many young sufferers.
Also, children could experience some disruptions within their social and academic development as a result of frequent absence from going to school since Crohn does cause cramping and some severe cases of abdominal pain. It is thus important for any parent to know all the aspects that surround Crohn's disease as well as the ability to relate these cases to their own children. The communication process is not only crucial for Crohn's disease for children sufferers with risks of growth but also for desired sexual maturity.
In addition, because the complications are mostly treated using some forms of medications at a rather early age, it might as a result of pharmaceutical drugs, become really prevalent. A very common medication treatment is aminosalicylates, used in the treatment of moderate to mild cases. Other medications such as corticosteroids are reserved for those severe cases in the reduction of inflammation as well as hopefully driving the condition into clear remission. However, corticosteroids are largely effective where they also lead to some very serious mental and physical side effects.
Because the common medical theory on the causes of Crohn's is digestive tract infection, most medical practitioners use antibiotics in the treatment of the disease. An often acceptable Crohn's disease cause is a response to an autoimmune in ones body. In counteracting this rather over-aggressive body response, there are some immune suppressants that are sometimes offered or prescribed in ratcheting down the child's body ability towards attacking itself.
Crohn's Disease Awareness
Crohn's Disease Awareness
The best way to raise awareness about Crohn's disease is to start from the bottom and move upwards. You should begin by spreading the message at home and then moving on to reach out to the local community. After that, you can move on and spread the message of hope to the entire nation. This digestive tract illness has been carefully studied by scientists only that they do not seem to have stumbled on a cure yet.
It helps a lot to sit down and discuss the disease with patients from your community. Printed information lends credence to the information that you will discuss with the patients. The world is full of conversational opportunities. Make use of these opportunities in order to send a message of hope to Crohn's disease sufferers. There are many challenges that come with the disease. All that patients want is a voice of hope that makes them feel that they still have an important place in the societies in which they live.
The most important thing about Crohn's disease awareness is that it should be based on facts rather than rumors. Support groups with a national appeal should be used to spread this message across different states. Members of these groups can be sufferers or visionary leaders who have noble mission of helping patients overcome stigma, depression and the pain dominates their lives.
Advocacy groups that deal with digestive diseases also handle issues relating to the Crohn's disease. You can seek for advice on how to compose promotional materials that many people will readily associate with. You may also find it a good idea to write to the local congressmen and senators, reminding them about the need to support 500,000 Americans who suffer from the condition today. You should invite these senators to campaigns aimed at raising funds for helping these patients. These leaders should also be reminded about the need to set up more funds for research on the disease.
Media attention always goes a long way towards bringing the issue of Crohn's disease on the limelight. Media houses can even sponsor fund-raisers meant to assist people who suffer from this disease. Once the sponsors have been attracted, it might be necessary to invite a celebrity to come and grace the occasion. In case you research on progress of contemporary research on the disease and publish the report in the newspapers, you will be amazed at the effectiveness of this action in raising awareness on the Crohn's disease.
The best way to raise awareness about Crohn's disease is to start from the bottom and move upwards. You should begin by spreading the message at home and then moving on to reach out to the local community. After that, you can move on and spread the message of hope to the entire nation. This digestive tract illness has been carefully studied by scientists only that they do not seem to have stumbled on a cure yet.
It helps a lot to sit down and discuss the disease with patients from your community. Printed information lends credence to the information that you will discuss with the patients. The world is full of conversational opportunities. Make use of these opportunities in order to send a message of hope to Crohn's disease sufferers. There are many challenges that come with the disease. All that patients want is a voice of hope that makes them feel that they still have an important place in the societies in which they live.
The most important thing about Crohn's disease awareness is that it should be based on facts rather than rumors. Support groups with a national appeal should be used to spread this message across different states. Members of these groups can be sufferers or visionary leaders who have noble mission of helping patients overcome stigma, depression and the pain dominates their lives.
Advocacy groups that deal with digestive diseases also handle issues relating to the Crohn's disease. You can seek for advice on how to compose promotional materials that many people will readily associate with. You may also find it a good idea to write to the local congressmen and senators, reminding them about the need to support 500,000 Americans who suffer from the condition today. You should invite these senators to campaigns aimed at raising funds for helping these patients. These leaders should also be reminded about the need to set up more funds for research on the disease.
Media attention always goes a long way towards bringing the issue of Crohn's disease on the limelight. Media houses can even sponsor fund-raisers meant to assist people who suffer from this disease. Once the sponsors have been attracted, it might be necessary to invite a celebrity to come and grace the occasion. In case you research on progress of contemporary research on the disease and publish the report in the newspapers, you will be amazed at the effectiveness of this action in raising awareness on the Crohn's disease.
Colitis Crohn's Disease
Colitis Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease, also called granulomatous colitis is a chronic illness which affects human intestines. The name of the disease relates to the physician Burrill Bernard Crohn who described it in 1932. Besides intestines, the digestive system is attacked too. It is also related to another condition which affects the colon, named ulcerative colitis. This malady is not curable. It begins during adolescence and it's not contagious.
The causes which determine the Crohn's disease are still unknown. Scientists have several theories about the Crohn's disease. It is suspected that a certain bacteria cause it but there are no specific evidences to demonstrate it. Others believe that the immune system reacts abnormally in people who have this disease confusing foods and bacteria with foreign substances attacking the body and producing inflammations.
In order to diagnose the Crohn`s disease a series of tests need to be taken. Blood tests are important as they can show if a person suffers from anaemia which indicates intestine bleedings. The inflammation can also be determined by the raised white blood cells in the body. In order to take the test, the patient need to drink a special solution called barium which shows the inflammation when X rays is taken. In order to make a proper diagnostic, doctors can view the patient's colon by introducing a computer linked flexible tube into the anus. This procedure helps specialists see whether there is a colon problem. For better results, patients can have either a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy helping doctors to monitor the whole large intestine.
Crohn's disease can lead to critical complications such as intestine blockage and nutritional problems. The blockage appears when the intestinal walls get thick due to inflammations. It also can cause sores, ulcers, fistulas which can be treated with medicine although surgery is sometimes required. Patients can also have nutritional problems. Inadequate diets lead to loss or poor absorption of the needed proteins. Scientists call it mal-absorption. Patients can also have symptoms such as abdominal pains in the lower part, weight loss, vomiting, skin rashes, fever, kidney stones, as well as bleedings which may be persistent leading to anaemia.
The Crohn's disease treatment include drugs, nutrition supplements or in worst cases surgery. Although there is no permanent cure, the treatment helps patients to control the inflammations, to prevent and to reduce nutritional deficiency, the abdominal pains, bleedings and diaria. It depends on the disease's severity as some people can live several years of remission without any symptoms.
Crohn's disease, also called granulomatous colitis is a chronic illness which affects human intestines. The name of the disease relates to the physician Burrill Bernard Crohn who described it in 1932. Besides intestines, the digestive system is attacked too. It is also related to another condition which affects the colon, named ulcerative colitis. This malady is not curable. It begins during adolescence and it's not contagious.
The causes which determine the Crohn's disease are still unknown. Scientists have several theories about the Crohn's disease. It is suspected that a certain bacteria cause it but there are no specific evidences to demonstrate it. Others believe that the immune system reacts abnormally in people who have this disease confusing foods and bacteria with foreign substances attacking the body and producing inflammations.
In order to diagnose the Crohn`s disease a series of tests need to be taken. Blood tests are important as they can show if a person suffers from anaemia which indicates intestine bleedings. The inflammation can also be determined by the raised white blood cells in the body. In order to take the test, the patient need to drink a special solution called barium which shows the inflammation when X rays is taken. In order to make a proper diagnostic, doctors can view the patient's colon by introducing a computer linked flexible tube into the anus. This procedure helps specialists see whether there is a colon problem. For better results, patients can have either a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy helping doctors to monitor the whole large intestine.
Crohn's disease can lead to critical complications such as intestine blockage and nutritional problems. The blockage appears when the intestinal walls get thick due to inflammations. It also can cause sores, ulcers, fistulas which can be treated with medicine although surgery is sometimes required. Patients can also have nutritional problems. Inadequate diets lead to loss or poor absorption of the needed proteins. Scientists call it mal-absorption. Patients can also have symptoms such as abdominal pains in the lower part, weight loss, vomiting, skin rashes, fever, kidney stones, as well as bleedings which may be persistent leading to anaemia.
The Crohn's disease treatment include drugs, nutrition supplements or in worst cases surgery. Although there is no permanent cure, the treatment helps patients to control the inflammations, to prevent and to reduce nutritional deficiency, the abdominal pains, bleedings and diaria. It depends on the disease's severity as some people can live several years of remission without any symptoms.
About Crohn's Disease
About Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a medical condition whereby the human digestive tract has an inflammation. Usually, any area of the digestive or gastro-intestinal tract can be affected, from the mouth, anywhere through to the anus. One fact about Crohn’s disease is that it can be a cause of diarrhea, most commonly bloody.
Another common thing about Crohn’s disease is that its symptoms are quite similar to other intestinal disorders, and therefore it can be a bit tricky to diagnose, especially without professional assistance. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers on the large intestine.
This disease affects both men and women, and findings have shown that it may be hereditary in some few cases. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all ages, but most of the people who often complain about Crohn’s disease are aged between twenty and thirty years.
Although there are several theories about Crohn’s disease causes, none has been proved to be the one yet. The theory that seems to be the most popular whenever people talk about Crohn’s disease relates to the immune system of the human body reacting abnormally among people who suffer from this disease. Consequently, the system mistakes food, bacteria as well as other elements for being antigens or pathogens. The system then attacks these supposedly foreign substances. In due course, accumulation of cells inside the intestinal lining leads to severe inflammation, and subsequently leading to intestinal ulcers and bowel injury.
However, it is not yet known whether the abnormal response of the immune system is the cause or the result of the Crohn’s disease. What is known by scientists and other medical professionals and scholars about Crohn’s disease is that high levels of protein are produced by the immune system of a person with the disease.
The known symptoms of Crohn’s disease include pain in the abdominal cavity especially on the right as well as diarrhea. Other symptoms known about Crohn’s disease are rectal bleeding, weight loss, skin problems, arthritis and fever. Bleeding in the rectum is also common and may sometimes be serious as to even lead to anemia. The severity of this disease is usually varied, and children who are infected may commonly experience stunted growth.
For detection of the disease, a thorough physical examination is necessary to find out if a person is having this disease. In atypical test, blood tests are carried out, and stool samples are also tested to determine whether there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.
Crohn’s disease is a medical condition whereby the human digestive tract has an inflammation. Usually, any area of the digestive or gastro-intestinal tract can be affected, from the mouth, anywhere through to the anus. One fact about Crohn’s disease is that it can be a cause of diarrhea, most commonly bloody.
Another common thing about Crohn’s disease is that its symptoms are quite similar to other intestinal disorders, and therefore it can be a bit tricky to diagnose, especially without professional assistance. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers on the large intestine.
This disease affects both men and women, and findings have shown that it may be hereditary in some few cases. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all ages, but most of the people who often complain about Crohn’s disease are aged between twenty and thirty years.
Although there are several theories about Crohn’s disease causes, none has been proved to be the one yet. The theory that seems to be the most popular whenever people talk about Crohn’s disease relates to the immune system of the human body reacting abnormally among people who suffer from this disease. Consequently, the system mistakes food, bacteria as well as other elements for being antigens or pathogens. The system then attacks these supposedly foreign substances. In due course, accumulation of cells inside the intestinal lining leads to severe inflammation, and subsequently leading to intestinal ulcers and bowel injury.
However, it is not yet known whether the abnormal response of the immune system is the cause or the result of the Crohn’s disease. What is known by scientists and other medical professionals and scholars about Crohn’s disease is that high levels of protein are produced by the immune system of a person with the disease.
The known symptoms of Crohn’s disease include pain in the abdominal cavity especially on the right as well as diarrhea. Other symptoms known about Crohn’s disease are rectal bleeding, weight loss, skin problems, arthritis and fever. Bleeding in the rectum is also common and may sometimes be serious as to even lead to anemia. The severity of this disease is usually varied, and children who are infected may commonly experience stunted growth.
For detection of the disease, a thorough physical examination is necessary to find out if a person is having this disease. In atypical test, blood tests are carried out, and stool samples are also tested to determine whether there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.
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