Information and facts on Crohns Disease

 

Crohn's disease occurs normally between the ages of 14 and 32. However, there are more cases being reported in children and other ages. The attacks may occur every few months the every few years and if  the disease continues for several years then bowels can be damaged. The disease may increase chances  for cancer by perhaps as much as 20 times. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pains, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, headaches, and digestive problems. Crohn's is not contagious and its cause is still not known. Studies seem to indicate that free radical damage could be involved and a lack of vitamins C and E could be a factor.

Crohn's disease is indicated by a chronic and long lasting ulceration of section(s) of the digestive tract. This ulceration goes thru all the layers of the intestinal wall and affects all of the digestive system, all the way from the mouth to the rectum/anus. These inflamed body areas heal, leaving scar tissue that makes the passageways smaller. Important to note that this disease is not contagious. It's cause is still unknown, however a history of food allergies is known to increases the risk of developing Crohn's disease. Also, removing foods that cause allergic reactions will often relieve symptoms of the disease. Research studies also indicate that free radical damage is a factor, and that deficiencies of vitamins C and E is also a problem. Crohn's disease symptoms include: appetite loss, chronic diarrhea, energy levels loss, pain in the upper and lower abdomen, fever, headaches, malabsorption, malnutrition, steatorrhea (indicated pale bulky stools that float), and weight loss. Chronic bleeding may cause iron deficiency anemia. If the ulcerated intestinal wall starts to leak, it may cause peritonitis. Mouth and anal sores may occur when the disease is active. Because of diarrhea, nausea, pain, and sometimes severe headaches and even vomiting, people with Crohn's disease may not feel like eating. Doctors may misdiagnose Crohn's disease as appendicitis because the pain the disease creates is in the same location. In addition to both inflammation and ulceration, persons with Crohn's disease may develop strictures that partially block or obstruct their bowels. They may also have fistulas, abnormal passages that lead from one loop of intestine to another, or even their other organs. The beginning of Crohn's disease normally occurs between the ages of 13 and 30, however more often cases are being reported in children. The attacks can happen from every few months to every few years. In very rare cases, the disease occurs one or two times and never returns. If Crohn's disease continues for several years, bowel function is reduced below healthy operation. Left untreated, it can become very very serious, and even life threatening. Crohn's may increase the risk of cancer by as much as twenty times.

Crohn's disease in alot of ways is very similar to ulcerative colitis. Both diseases cause loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, general malaise, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. The main difference between the two is the amount of involvement of the wall of the intestinal tract Ulcerative colitis is limited to only the mucosa and submucosa, which are the first two layers of the lining of the bowel adjacent to the lumen (central passageway). Crohn's disease also occurs deeper in the next two layers, the muscular layer and the connective tissue layer below it.

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