Posts Tagged ‘Crohn’s’

The Crohn’s Disease Experience

A day in the life of a boy named Crohn’s recieving Remicade (iv therapy).

Welcome to my site! Crohn’s disease, Colitis, IBS, Ulcerative, SCD Diet, humira, prednisone, 6mp

crohnsboy.com welcome to my site. Just want to thank everyone for their support and helping make my site the sucess it has been. Thanks everyone we will do this together one way or another.

COLONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Medical therapies for colonic Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis Use of sulfa-free 5-ASA products, corticosteroids … along with traditional therapies.

Product Description
Abstract: Advances in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the past decade include 5-aminosalicylic preparations with fewer adverse effects; new, rapidly metabolized corticosteroids; and new agents targeted at refractory or complicated IBD. Dr Tung and Dr Warner discuss the use of these and more traditional drugs in patients with colonic Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, stressing the need for individualized treatment. Tung JK, Warner AS. Colonic inflammatory bowel disease.

COLONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE Medical therapies for colonic Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis Use of sulfa-free 5-ASA products, corticosteroids … along with traditional therapies.

Can Crohn’s Disease Effect Other Parts Of The Body?

A big issue for people that have Crohn’s disease is “can Crohn’s disease effect other parts of the body?”

Crohn’s Disease is a disease that can affect any part of the G.I. Tract. If you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s you probably already know this. Crohn’s can also lead to further complications as the disease progresses. But do not get scared. The fact of the matter is Crohn’s is an auto immune disorder, which means the body is actually attacking itself because it thinks it has been infected.

Crohn’s can lead up to colon cancer and this is a result of malnutrition, stress and other variables. Keep in mind however Colon Cancer can strike anyone, in fact cancer can hit anyone no matter what age or how healthy you are. Just look at Lance Armstrong, if you don’t already know he beat cancer and won the tour de france several years running, as part of his mission in fighting against cancer.

So the truth is, YES, Crohn’s disease can effect other parts of the body. Should you be very worried if this has not already happened? I would say, no. Once you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s you need to follow your specialist’s instructions for the most part. There are various drugs on the market that can put you in remission. Remission is when you don’t have any symptoms of Crohn’s disease and for many people; some people will even forget they have the disease all together. Remission can last anywhere from a week to a couple years. So the key is to really become your own doctor. Listen to your body and try other things.

Doctors are trained to basically just hand you a prescription. Sadly enough for something like crohn’s there is not enough evidence available to back up cures, and if you think about it logically why would pharmaceutical companies want to make a cure anyways. They make thousands of dollars feeding patients with chron’s the drugs you take everyday and will have to take for most of your life. Now this does not mean I’m bashing the drug industry all together. But I know for a fact there are people everyday that rid them selves of disease. In fact I know individuals that have cured there crohn’s disease to the astonishment of doctors.

Drugs keep you going but will not cure you. Learning your body and taking alternate methods to healing will heal your intestinal lining and if not cure you at least improve your quality of life.

Stop thinking can crohns disease effect other parts of the body. Visit this site if you want to cure your crohn’s disease once and for all, and join hundreds of others who have benefited from this knowledge. Visit http://www.cure-for-crohns-disease.blogspot.com

Crohn’s Disease, Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, usually affecting the ileum and colon (but can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract). Many injuries are caused by immune cells that attack one or more parts of the tissues of the digestive tract, but there is no certainty of autoimmune etiology. Symptoms and treatment depend on the patient, but it is common to have abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss and fever. There are currently no cures for this disease; however treatments provide symptom relief and improved quality of life.

Crohn’s disease is a major inflammatory bowel disease. The other is ulcerative colitis, which differs in several details. Many believe that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two extreme manifestations of the same underlying intestinal pathology.

Crohn’s disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of one or more parts of the digestive tract, from mouth through the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, to the rectum and anus. In most cases of Crohn’s disease, however, there is inflammation of the small intestine; large intestine may be involved, together or separately. There is no known cause for Crohn’s disease. Several studies have attempted to relate environmental factors, such as food or infections that cause the disease.

However, it was noted that smokers are 2-4 times higher risk of having it, and that peculiarities of the intestinal flora, microorganisms that live in the intestines and help digestion and the immune system that naturally defense mechanisms of the body could be related. None of these factors alone could explain why the disease begins and develops. All of the information available to date suggests the influence of other environmental factors and genetic factors.

Note the influence of genetic factors in first degree relatives of an individual patient to make about 25 times more likely to also have the disease than a person without affected relatives.

As for symptoms, the most common ones are diarrhea and cramping abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting accompanied by mild fever, feeling of abdominal distention worsened with meals, weight loss, malaise and fatigue. There may be disposal, along with the feces, blood, mucus or pus. Disease alternating periods without any symptoms with exacerbations of onset and duration unpredictable.

Crohn’s disease there is no cure, the goal of treatment is to control symptoms and complications. Treatment is individualized and takes place according to the manifestations of the disease in each patient.

There are no dietary restrictions that are made for all cases. In some people, there is intolerance to certain foods, often, lactose and milk. In such cases, it is recommended to avoid the food can cause diarrhea or worsening of other symptoms. Individuals with illnesses in the large intestine may have benefit from high-fiber diet such as lots of vegetables and fruits, whereas in individuals with bowel obstruction may be given without dietary fiber.
Alternative Preference:
a.    Conduct frequent meals and small volume;
b.    Consuming foods rich in fatty acids and omega-3 rich foods potassium
c.    Calcium
d.    Vitamin A, D, E and K, iron, magnesium and soluble fiber.

What to Avoid:
a.    Excess fat
b.    Foods containing lactose
c.    Sucrose-rich
d.    Iinsoluble fibers

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease includes two conditions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue and diarrhea. There is no cure for IBD, but medication and surgery can help control it.

An Introduction To Crohn’s Disease

A professional dietitian gives an overview of Crohn’s Disease it’s symptons and treatments

Complementary And Different Medication For Crohn’s Disease

Complementary and Different Drugs For Crohn’s Disease

Introduction to Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a abnormal condition marked by recurring inflammation of the digestive tract. Patients with the condition can come across signs and symptoms like stomach pain, persistent diarrhea, bloody stool, and weight reduction. It is theorized that Crohn’s disease results when the body’s immune system attacks non-threatening substances like bacterias or food within the gastrointestinal tract.

At present, there is no perfect medication for Crohn’s disease, and its actual cause remains unspecified. Additionally, many of these medicinal drugs, like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, have significant unwanted side effects. The shortcomings of ancient pharmaceutical therapies have led several patients with Crohn’s disease to try complementary and different medication for relief.

Complementary and alternative therapies include natural ingredients like vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbs, along with therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture, and hypnosis. Nevertheless, several holistic and non-ancient practices are changing into more mainstream, and it is useful for Crohn’s disease patients to be familiar with complementary and various remedies.

The following are examples of other therapies that have been beneficial for some folks with Crohn’s disease. Please bear in mind that evidence of effectiveness particularly among Crohn’s disease patients will be limited, and a few studies involving these substances and coverings were not placebo-controlled.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids: sometimes taken in the form of fish oil dietary supplements, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and have shown promise for some individuals with Crohn’s disease.
Probiotics (beneficial bacteria): there’s some evidence that ingesting numerous bacterial strains will facilitate Crohn’s disease patients maintain remission.
Vitamins: nutrient deficiencies are frequent in people with Crohn’s disease. B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc are among vitamins counseled for patients.
Some people feel better when avoiding or limiting dairy product, gluten, refined sugars, fiber, fatty foods, or fried foods. Experiences in this space appear to vary greatly among patients.
Boswellia: resin derived from boswellia serrata trees is used as the premise of an herbal preparation which will help scale back inflammation in the body.
Curcumin (turmeric): curcumin is another botanical substance that alleviates inflammation and additionally is an antioxidant.
Glutamine (l-glutamine): this amino acid will help preserve intestinal integrity and build up strength and stamina.
Bromelain: researchers have found that this digestive enzyme derived from pineapple has anti-inflammatory effects in colon biopsies of patients with inflammatory intestinal disease.
Acupuncture (moxibustion, acupressure): this element of traditional Chinese drugs has been made known to be useful for patients with a variety of ailments, as well as Crohn’s disease.
Exercise: a low-intensity fitness program can improve quality of life in patients with Crohn’s disease whereas not creating symptoms worse.

Conclusion

Crohn’s disease is a unbearable digestive disorder with an unidentified cause. There is no typical treatment which will cure or soothe all individuals afflicted with the illness. Whereas there remains no various therapy that’s fully effective, there are plenty of supplements and practices that have been useful for a few patients.

Learn More At Crohn’s Diet

Crohn’s Disease Treatment

Crohn’s disease is a disease that can lead to inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Compared to a condition known as ‘ulcerative colitis’, which can affect only the interior part of the digestive tract; Crohn’s Disease can include all the layers of the intestinal wall. The IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease is comprised of two types of diseases-Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Bloody stool
• Mucus in the stool
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Digestive Tract Ulceration
• Fever

Cause of Crohn’s Disease:
IBD is known to be an idiopathic disease (disease with no known cause) and Crohn’s Disease is also an IBD disease. This disease is known to be hereditary and has been particularly seen in people who hail within the Jewish descent. However, most people with IBD do not seem to have family history of the disease in particular. Some doctors believe that given the nature of the IBD being an auto immune disease, the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are nothing but an allergic response.

This means the body’s immune system confuses bacteria and food as foreign substances(antigens) and attacks them. Due to this, the white blood cells begin to collect in the intestines, leading to chronic inflammation and bowel injury. Three factors have been singled out, the immune system of the patient, the environment and of course, the genes.

Blood tests are done to find out the extent of IBD, especially with regard to white blood cell counts and red blood cell. The blood tests an also be used to measure electrolyte levels of potassium and magnesium, to find out if these important minerals have been evacuated due to continuous diarrhea.

Since Crohn’s Disease is similar to many types of intestinal disorders like ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, it can be tough to diagnose the condition. Ulcerative Colitis can lead to inflammation in the upper layer of the large intestine layer. In Crohn’s Disease, however, all layers of the intestine can be affected. You may just find a healthy bowel lost among sections of impaired bowel.

Crohn’s Disease Treatment
A variety of medication can be used as treatment to Crohn’s Disease The medications that are administerd usually fall into two categories: fast acting drugs to put a halt to the flare-ups and maintenance drugs to continuously avoid the flare-up from happening.

Cortisone or Steroids. Cortisone drugs and steroids together known as corticosteriods—provide very efficient results. Prednisone is a regular generic name of one of the drugs in this group of medications. It is administered in large dose when the disease is at its worst and then the dosage is lowered once symptoms have been controlled; because they can cause a lot of side-effects.
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Immune System Suppressors. Some of the medications in this immune suppressing groups are 6-mercaptopurine or a related drug, azathioprine. Immunosuppressive agents work by thwarting the immune reaction that leads to inflammation. These drugs do lead to side effects like like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and may reduce a person’s resistance to infection.. SO if the Crohn’s disease patient is treated with a combination of When of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, the dose of corticosteroids may ultimately be lowered.

Anti-Inflammation Drugs. Measalamine is one of the drugs that is used to treat patients first to control inflammation. The most commonly used rug is known as . Sulfasalazine. Possible side effects of mesalamine-containing drugs include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache.

Infliximab (Remicade). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave green signal to the Infliximab as the drug for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease that does not react to standard therapies (mesalamine substances, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents) and as a remedial treatment for open, draining fistulas. There is still additional research going with this drug. Remicade may offer to help people with Crohn’s disease.

Antibiotics. If there is a bacterial overgrowth due to fistula, stricture etc, antibiotics are used to treat them. The physician may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.

Anti-Diarrheal and Fluid Replacements. Diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain are usually treated when the inflammation reduces but in some cases the doctor may give additional treatment in the form of anti-diarrheal and fluid replacements like diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine. Patients who are dehydrated due to diarrhea can be administered fluids and electrolytes.

Surgery is also an option for Crohn’s Disease. In fact 70 percent of people with Crohn’s Disease go for surgery in the first ten years following the diagnosis. The most common type of surgery is ‘resection’ where the impaired part of the intestine is surgically removed.

Understanding Crohn’s Disease Causes and Treament

Crohn’s disease is not a common disease.  As a matter of fact, David France states in his article Crohn’s Disease in CCFA.org, approximately 500,000 Americans have been diagnosed with Crohn’s.  In most cases people are not familiar with the disease unless they know someone diagnosed with it.  My best friend and co-worker suffered unbearable pains and uncontrollable symptoms in November which later turned into Crohn’s disease.

In November all her doctor could find was a stomach ulcer and hiatal hernia.  Her blood tests would only show low vitamin D, so x-rays were ordered.  A variety of x-rays were taken from her foot, her gall bladder, and finally some to check to see if there was evidence of a stone somewhere.  The only test that revealed anything was wrong was her gall bladder, which was eventually removed.  Months later the pain and nausea returned.  In July, her colonoscopy detected ulcers in the small and large intestine.  The diagnosis was in, it was Crohn’s disease.

According to David France, as stated in his article About Crohn’s Disease in CCFA.org, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are only categories of a bigger illness called inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD (http://www.ccfa.org/printview?pageUrl=/info/about/crohns).  France also states that it is difficult to ultimately diagnose either one of these categories specifically because their symptoms are so similar.  They both share one main strong feature, however, the abnormal response by the body’s immune system.  France continues to explain that Crohn’s disease affects both the small and large intestine, but also may involve any part of the GI tract.  Ulcerative colitis however, the affected part is limited only to the colon, or large intestine.

Dennis Lee, MD, explains in his article Crohn’s Disease that “Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines” (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=332).  None of the studies conducted has proven the cause of Crohn’s, but there are many theories that suggest possible causes.  The main theory for the cause suggests that the body’s immune system mistakes bacteria, foods, and other substances as invaders and attacks them.  Meanwhile, white blood cells gather in the intestine causing the inflammation which turn into ulcers.  The body’s reactions to antigens in the environment could be the cause of the inflammation.  Other theories suggest a hereditary by genes cause of the immune system itself.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse’s article Crohn’s Disease explains that because people with Crohn’s have to live with this chronic disease, they experience an increase in their stress levels.  Crohn’s is not caused by stress rather Crohn’s causes stress because of having to deal with this disease.  Furthermore, Crohn’s is not changed because of a person’s diet, but a person’s diet can help decrease the severity of the symptoms.

In CCFA.org, David France tells of 5 different types of Crohn’s disease and the symptoms that come with them.  Each type has differences, but all include stomach pain, diarrhea, cramping, nausea and abdominal pain.  The various types require a number of medications to treat them but not prevent or cure them.  David France also breaks down the most common and critical symptoms of Crohn’s in this same article.  The cause of the abdominal pain is the frequent vomiting, but the abdomen could also become bloated.  Surgery could be required if the medication does not work or if the obstruction is too severe.  Sores or ulcers within the intestine are also complications which affect 30 percent of people with Crohn’s.  The last major complication associated with Crohn’s is deficiencies in proteins, calories, and vitamins due to malnutrition.  The pain caused by food may cause some people with Crohn’s to malnourish themselves causing their levels to decrease. (http://www.ccfa.org/printview?pageUrl=/info/about/crohns).

An illness like Crohn’s disease can cause a threat to the lifestyle of those who must live with it.  As any chronic illness, stress can manipulate the course that Crohn’s takes with a patient because both the body and mind are so closely interrelated.  People who are diagnosed with Crohn’s should be understood and supported emotionally by those who surround them.  A variety of emotions follow after one is diagnosed with an illness such as this, but the best way to cope with it according to David France is to plan as if you are traveling.  Make yourself aware of your surroundings, know where bathrooms are, always remember to take enough medication, and in most cases people carry and extra change of clothing.  Although some might feel relief to finally know what caused them so much pain, they should not feel alone and should go on with life as any other day (http://www.ccfa.org/printview?pageUrl=/info/about/crohns).