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CROHN’S DISEASE

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CROHN’S DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Signs and symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is severe), fever, and weight loss.  Other complications may occur outside the gastrointestinal tract and include anemia, skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, and feeling tired. The skin rashes may be due to infections as well as pyoderma gangrenosum or erythema nodosum. Bowel obstruction also commonly occurs and those with the disease are at greater risk of bowel cancer

It tends to start in the teens and twenties, although it can occur at any age, the terminal ileum of the small intestine, the area most commonly affected by the illness. Males and females are equally affected.

CAUSES

While the exact cause is unknown,  Crohn’s disease seems to be due to a combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition, the chronic inflammation of Crohn’s is caused when the adaptive immune system tries to compensate for a deficient innate immune system.

  • Genetics  – Crohn’s has a genetic component. Because of this, siblings of known people with Crohn’s are 30 times more likely to develop Crohn’s than the general population.
  • Immune system –  There was a prevailing view that Crohn’s disease is a primary T cell autoimmune disorder, however, a newer theory hypothesizes that Crohn’s results from an impaired innate immunity.
  • Microbes –  Current thinking is that microorganisms are taking advantage of their host’s weakened mucosal layer and inability to clear bacteria from the intestinal walls, which are both symptoms of Crohn’s .
  • Environmental factors –  Crohn’s is associated with an increased intake of animal protein, milk protein and an increased ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Those who consume vegetable proteins appear to have a lower incidence of Crohn’s disease. Consumption of fish protein has no association. Smoking increases the risk of the return of active disease (flares). Although stress is sometimes claimed to exacerbate Crohn’s disease, there is no concrete evidence to support such claim. Dietary microparticles, such as those found in toothpaste, have been studied as they produce effects on immunity, but they were not consumed in greater amounts in patients with Crohn’s.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS


In some people with Crohn’s disease, only the last segment of the small intestine (ileum) is affected. In others, the disease is confined to the colon (part of the large intestine). The most common areas affected by Crohn’s disease are the last part of the small intestine and the colon.
When the disease is active, signs and symptoms may include:

  • Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem for people with Crohn’s disease. Intensified intestinal cramping also can contribute to loose stools.
  • Fever and fatigue. Many people with Crohn’s disease experience a low-grade fever, likely due to inflammation or infection. You may also feel tired or have low energy.
  • Abdominal pain and cramping. Inflammation and ulceration can affect the normal movement of contents through your digestive tract and may lead to pain and cramping. You may experience anything from slight discomfort to severe pain, including nausea and vomiting.
  • Blood in your stool. You might notice bright red blood in the toilet bowl or darker blood mixed with your stool. You can also have bleeding you don’t see (occult blood).
  • Mouth sores. You may have ulcers in your mouth similar to canker sores.
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss. Abdominal pain and cramping and the inflammatory reaction in the wall of your bowel can affect both your appetite and your ability to digest and absorb food.
  • Perianal disease. You might have pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula).

OTHER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

People with severe Crohn’s disease may also experience:

  • Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints
  • Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts
  • Delayed growth or sexual development, in children

COMPLICATIONS

  • Inflammation
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Ulcers
  • Fistulas
  • Anal fissure
  • Malnutrition
  • Colon cancer
  • Other health problems – anemia, osteoporosis, and gallbladder or liver disease.
  • Medication risks –   Certain Crohn’s disease drugs that act by blocking functions of the immune system are associated with a small risk of developing cancers such as lymphoma and skin cancers. They also increase risk of infection.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat Crohn’s disease symptoms but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for Crohn’s disease treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, condition, sensation and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person.