Crohn`s Disease

Hello everyone , and welcome to my Crohn`s Disease Hub ! I have been suffering of Crohn`s Disease for nealy five years now. I never had any symptoms before my first operation ,in june 2003 , when I had 35 centimeters of my small bowel removed. This is pretty common in Crohn`s disease patients. The region that was removed is the ileum , this is the part where the small and large intestine meet. Over the 4 and a half years I have been put on different medications and diets. Recently my Remicade infusions have been approved and I received all the 3 shoots . I am feeling a little better right now. Over the last 2 years I have developed depression and anxiety due Crohn`s disease, and I`m curently on medication. Stress and Crohn`s disease are linked together. We all must avoid stress as much as possible , so we can avoid depression and other stress related dissorders , this is a very important thing in Crohn`s Disease. Since I am feeling a little better I mostly eat whatever I want with few exceptions , I avoid dairy producs , fatty and fried foods . I only drink water and tea , and one small coffee in the morning to give me some energy, as I one of the worst symptoms I have is weakness , most of the day I feel tirred because of the bad asimillation process in the small bowel. Hope you all enjoy my hub and feel free to add comments !

Crohn's disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn's disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn's disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased

Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn's disease.

Several theories exist about what causes Crohn's disease, but none have been proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that protect people from infection. The most popular theory is that the body's immune system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn's disease, mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances for being foreign. The immune system's response is to attack these "invaders." During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury.

The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn's disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.

Treatment may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. At this time, treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence, but there is no cure. Treatment for Crohn's disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person's response to previous medical treatments when treated for reoccurring symptoms.

Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person's lifetime. This changing pattern of the disease means one cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. Predicting when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return is not possible.

Someone with Crohn's disease may need medical care for a long time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition.