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1. Definition
Crohn’s disease belongs to a larger group of illness called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic inflammatory condition along digestive cover tract includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. In many case, it attacks the lower small intestine.
2. Causes
The disease is marked by an abnormal response by the immune system. Normally the immune system will protect the body from infection caused by external disease agent like pathogen bacteria. In people with crohn’s disease, the immune system reacts inappropriately. They mistakes regular microbes that is normally found in the intestines, for invading or foreign substance, and launches an attack. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury.
3. Statistics
The disease can be found in both women and man. It may run in families, 20% of people diagnosed with the crohn’s have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 30, although people of all ages can suffer. People of Jewish have a greater risk of developing the disease while people of African American heritage have less of a risk.
4. Symptoms
The symptoms commonly appear around those organs. Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur.
5. Complications
The most common complication is blockage or obstruction of the intestine due to swelling, formation of scar tissue, and sores or ulcers within the intestinal tract. Another type of complication is related to malnutrition or the presence of nutritional deficiencies. These are deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins. This complication happen caused by malfunction of the intestine digestive.
6. Treatment
There is no cure for crohn’s disease, yet. All purposes of the medical treatment is to control immune system production and to suppress the inflammatory response. This step accomplishes two important goals: It allows the intestinal tissue to heal and it also relieves the symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Once the symptoms are brought under control (this is known as inducing remission), medical therapy is used to decrease the frequency of disease flares (this is known as maintaining remission, or maintenance).
7. Diet
Because Crohn’s disease affects the intestines, absorption of nutrients is inhibited. People who are infected need to increase supplements to improve the amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for normal function. In addition, diet needs to reduce the foods that cause inflammation. These changes should be done with the consultation of a doctor.
