Crohn’s Disease Newsletter Issue #1 |
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Hey Crohnee,
Welcome to the first issue of the CrohnsHelp.com newsletter. Every week we will discuss various different issues related and important to Crohn’s Disease. If you have any comments or want to contribute, please contact us at Info AT CrohnsDisease DOT com.
- Is “MAP” the cause of Crohn’s?
- Should you quit smoking?
- Latest News:
- Viagra – Treatment for Crohn’s?
- Growth for CrohnsHelp.com
- Recommend Your Friend
What is MAP – Is it Causing Crohn’s?
Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) is a bacterium that causes Johne’s disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in cattle and other species. Johne’s disease is characterized by persistent diarrhea, gradual loss of weight, and general weakness. The MAP begins to grow in the lower part of the intestine just beneath the surface tissue. For some reason, the immune system cells cannot destroy them. The MAP multiplies until it kills the cell and spreads to other cells and other regions of the body. The body’s efforts to kill off the invading MAP cause the intestines to visibly thicken and this prevents nutrient absorption and results in diarrhea, which usually leads to eventual death of the animal.
As early as 1913, a Scottish surgeon noted that the tissue characteristics were so similar in Johne’s and Crohn’s disease that he theorized that the two may be the same disease. There has been no conclusive proof because of the difficulty of growing MAP in the lab. However, a professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando reports that he can grow living MAP from the blood of 50% of patients with Crohn’s disease. This seems to suggest that MAP and Crohn’s may somehow be related.
Another concern is that live MAP has been found in pasteurized milk in studies conducted in Ireland and Britain. MAP can also be found in other dairy products, water and beef. Some experts advise persons with IBS get tested for MAP. Others encourage people who have Crohn’s or those who might be genetically predisposed to stop eating dairy products unless they are effectively boiled first or heated to a temperature of 212 degrees.
Assuming that MAP may be a possible cause for Crohn’s, an Australian study was done using twelve patients with severe Crohn’s disease. Patients were given a combination of rifabutin, clarithromycin and clofazimine, antibiotics that are effective against MAP. After 54 months of therapy, six of the twelve patients achieved complete remission of Crohn’s disease.
There is much controversy surrounding the connection between MAP and Crohn’s and there is a strong need for continued testing and research to establish or disprove a link. Conclusive evidence could bring us one step closer to a cure for Crohn’s.
For more information on MAP, please go to www.Crohns.org
Should You Quit Smoking?
I had no idea that smoking was bad for Crohn’s Disease patients. But, on a recent stroll to WebMD.com, I found an article that discussed research that proved (strongly) that smoking was detrimental to Crohn’s patients.
In this study, almost 500 smokers with Crohn’s were counseled to stop smoking. Over 12% quit for over a year. About 2 years after the program was completed, the found that those who had quit smoking for more than a year had 65% fewer pain flare-ups than continued smokers.
More on this research, click here…
So, if you’re smoking – you need to quit!
Latest News:
- Viagra – A Treatment For Crohn’s?
When I first read this news bit I laughed, then I was just confused – but none the less it was very interesting:
Click here to read more about research on Viagra and Crohn’s…
- Help CrohnsHelp.com Raise $1000
CrohnsHelp.com is looking to launch a social network where we will make it possible for Crohn’s patients to easily communicate with each other and offer helpful tips.
The programmer has asked for $1000.00 to do the entire website – Please contribute anything you can to help us raise the funds.
Click here to make a donation…
Recommend Your Friends
CrohnsHelp.com is growing but we can use your help (other than just donations and content contribution). Help us grow faster by spreading the word about CrohnsHelp.com. Please tell your friends about us.
Click here to help spread the word…
Alright, that’s it for this week – have a great week, take care of yourself and keep fighting against Crohn’s!
Also, if you want to contact us, please do so at Info AT CrohnsHelp DOT com.
Anik Singal
CrohnsHelp.com
Info AT CrohnsHelp DOT com
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