Crohn's Syndrome:
Chronic Inflammation of the Digestive Tract |
Back |
Crohn's Syndrome, also called Crohn's Disease, is a potentially a devastating disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Symptoms can be experienced from the mouth to the anus, but the hallmark of the Crohn's Syndrome is an inflammation of the intestines.
Crohn's Syndrome is a chronic form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Crohn's Syndrome may be difficult to treat. However, there are many treatment options available, so if you have been diagnosed with Crohn's Syndrome, you should make sure that you are informed and stay hopeful.
The causes of Crohn's Syndrome are largely unknown. In many cases, patients never know what precisely caused their condition to occur. It is sometimes suggested that Crohn's Syndrome is hereditary, and there is some limited evidence to support this assertion.
However, other theories include environmental toxins, exposure to contagions and infections, oral contraceptives, smoking, and psychological distress. Some patients worry that improper diet could have caused their Crohn's Syndrome. This has been largely disproved. You should discuss possible causes with your doctor for a number of reasons. He or she may suggest behavioral changes to alter the progression of the disease—such as quitting smoking, changing contraceptive methods, and addressing psychological issues. Even if the cause of your condition is unidentifiable, ruling out factors may help put your mind at ease.
There are many symptoms of Crohn's Syndrome, and some are easier to treat than others. If specific symptoms are troublesome to you, you should discuss treatment options for each with your doctor. Symptoms of Crohn's Syndrome include diarrhea (often severe), severe pain, hemorrhoids, anemia (due to internal bleeding), and fevers. Drugs to treat the diarrhea and pain may be employed. The hemorrhoids could be treated with prescription or over-the-counter remedies. The anemia may require blood transfusions. Your doctor can discuss with you treatment options for fevers.
Short term treatment for Crohn's Syndrome usually involves steroids. However, this is not a popular long term treatment option, since steroids cause a number of side effects, some serious. If used long term steroids can cause insulin resistance, diabetes, and high blood pressure, putting you at risk for further illness. If your Crohn's is determined to be serious enough to warrant long term treatment, your doctor will likely opt to try a regimen of other medicines.
Drugs used for the long term treatment of Crohn's Syndrome may include salycicates, which may be administered in the forms of sulfasalazine, mesalamine, olsalazine, or balsalazide. Immunomodulating drugs, which alter the immune system, may be used. These drugs include methotrexate or azathioprine.
Crohn's Syndrome treatment plans may also include dietary changes. Since the inflammation of the digestive system may inhibit the body from absorbing the full nutritional value of foods, the addition or increase of types of foods may be necessary. Often diets employed to treat the disease involve restricting or eliminating foods that are known to cause digestive distress. Such dietary plans should always be discussed with your physician or a qualified dietician with experience in addressing Crohn's Disease.
Back to Top
|
