1. Introductory remarks
Crohn’s disease is one of an inflammatory bowel disease the other being Ulcerative colitis. Though they are categorized as bowel disorders because of their belonging to same biologic continuum, yet they are considered as two distinct disorders because of their location and severity. Until the exact nature is determined, they are clubbed together and named as indeterminate colitis. Typically described as an inflammation of the bowel and in particular chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere between the mouth and the anus (i.e. end of the rectum).
2. Causes and symptoms
Exact causes of Crohn’s disease have not yet been identified. It is believed to be a resultant factor of an interaction of complex factors as genetic, defective immune functioning, environmental conditioning etc. All these cause an abnormal immune system reaction those result in an inflammatory response in the intestinal parts of the body. It occurs fairly at an early age in life that is anywhere between 15 and 35 and in about 10% of the children under 18.
Symptoms do not follow any systematic pattern for it can either be gradual or erupt suddenly. All the more worse, it can relapse and can even demobilize those affected by it. Besides, the location of the disease decides the characteristic of the symptoms and thus it can be in a pain on the lower side of the abdomen, diarrhea, bleeding in the rectal area, losing weight for no reason, nausea, vomiting, pain in the joints, lesions in the skin and at times any of these conditions characterized with temperatures.
3. Treatment
Other than medical history and physical examination there is no other method to say precisely the patient is suffering from Crohn’s disease and hence the treatment is more dependent on the skill, expertise and experience of the medical practitioner. Blood and stool tests to some extent would aid in deciding the course of treatment. In addition, in severe cases, endoscopy could help.
The line of treatment for treating Crohn’s disease is prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs belonging to the clause of Aminosalicylates, also known as 5-ASAs, and the standard one used in this regard is sulfazine (Azulfidine).Wherein the condition is moderate, Corticoside which include prednisone (Deltasone), methlpredulsone (Medrol) etc are administered. It should be noted that they are steroids which have severe side effects and are not suitable for long term use. Immun0 suppressants as azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan) etc are also given by the doctors. The biological ones are given when the condition can be said to be exceeding moderateness and starting to be severe. Nonetheless, it needs to be noted the goal of medication is to decrease the disease to obtain a status of remission by minimizing serious side effects. Many more ultimately need some type of surgery although the sad part of is that it yet cannot cure the disease fully.
4. Concluding remarks
Besides medication, the patients need to observe a dietary regime that ensures timely and adequate intake of food for a common phenomenon observed in this regard is the prevalence of malnutrition. More important point is that they should avoid certain the types of foods which do not agree with their body constitution. The foods falling in this category is high-fiber foods that could include bran, beans, nuts, popcorns etc.