Crohn’s disease signs, symptoms and treatments

Having Crohns disease can be very debilitating. The extreme abdominal pain can suddenly come without warning. Even when there are no symptoms present, the patient is always anxious, constantly worrying about when it will flare up again. As a result, patients limit their affairs and avoid situations that may lead to embarrassment and discomfort if and when another episode should happen.

If you suspect that you might have this condition it is important for you to learn as much as you can about Crohns disease signs, symptoms and treatments so you can get the help that you need. While living with the condition can be very unpleasant the good news is that with a few lifestyle changes and medication it can be managed so that you can get back to the normal business of living.

Symptoms in Crohns Disease Signs, Symptoms and Treatments:

Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks the body’s digestive tract. Depending on the extent, symptoms can include anything from abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and even weight loss.

The difficult thing about diagnosing Crohns disease is that the symptoms are not unique. Almost everyone has occasional bouts of stomach cramps, and we all at one time or another have had to deal with diarrhea or constipation. These are the most prominent symptoms of Crohns disease but they can also be symptoms of a stomach flu, food poisoning, or any number of other medical conditions.

So, how can one tell if he is actually suffering from Crohns disease? The answer lies not so much in the symptoms but in the regularity of them. When the symptoms are frequently present and severe then it is more likely that it is

Crohns disease and it’s a good time to see your doctor for testing.

Aside from stomach cramps and diarrhea, a person with Crohns disease may also experience an unexplained weight loss, bleeding from the rectum, constipation, fatigue, nausea, and fever. All of these are often accompanied by a sudden urge to have a bowel movement.

While everyone may not experience all of the same symptoms there has to be some combination of them to determine the presence of the disease. The symptoms can also appear in varying degrees; some people will only experience mild discomfort while others may find themselves in excruciating pain.

In those patietnts whose symptoms are severe, they may be accompanied by some major complications. These additional symptoms are not directly related to the disease but can be triggered by some of the primary symptoms they are already experiencing. In more serious cases, the person may have:

• – painful fissures or tears in the lining of the anus. These will most likely be noticed when making bowel movements.


• – passages that develop between the loops of the intestines call fistulas.


• – thickening of the intestinal wall. This can cause digestive problems as the thickening makes it difficult for food or waste to pass through the intestines freely.


• – blocked intestines, either partially or completely.


• – ulcers in the intestines, mouth, or the anus.


• – malnutrition (Crohns disease keeps the body from absorbing nutrients from the food you eat)


• – pain, inflammation, and a burning sensation on your skin, your eyes or joints

It is obvious that when left untreated, Crohns disease can drastically reduce your quality of life. If you are suffering from the symptoms of Crohns disease, it is important that you get treatment as soon as possible before any of these complications begin to set in. If left untreated, the odds of having even more severe health issues increases exponentially.

Causes:

No one is sure exactly what causes this painful condition. Researchers have come up with several theories that might explain the Crohns disease signs, symptoms and treatments. An analysis of these theories could help us to understand the disease better and how best to treat it. Scientists and researchers have narrowed down the triggers to three possible clauses: 1) problems with the immune system, 2) genetics, and 3) environmental factors.

Immune System Problems: Another disease that is closely associated with Crohns disease is inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. This is where the cells of the immune system react at the wrong time or attack healthy microbes in the digestive tract. There may be times when the immune system does attack harmful bacteria but once the problem has been eliminated the immune system for some reason does not return to normal causing the painful symptoms we experience.

Genetics: Researchers have also isolated a gene that is associated with Crohns disease. The gene is responsible for telling the immune system how to react to the different microbes in the body. When that gene is defective in some way, your body will not react normally, triggering either Crohns disease or IBD. Chances are if genes are the culprit, someone in your family also has the same problem.

Environmental Factors: Another highly plausible culprit are the environmental factors that could be causing a reaction. While the environment may not be causing the disease itself, these factors could be triggering the symptoms. These factors could be as simple as something you ate, bacteria or viruses, cigarette smoke, or other things you may be aware you’re having a reaction to.

The Treatment in Crohns Disease Signs, Symptoms and Treatments:

To date there is no cure for Crohns disease so any treatment you get is primarily chosen to help manage the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, ease diarrhea, slow down the bleeding, and eliminate any nutritional deficiencies you may have.

The treatment your doctor prescribes could be anything from powerful drugs, nutritional supplements to surgery. Which treatment is applied will depend largely on the severity of your symptoms and the complications you might be experiencing.

Coping with Crohns disease is not pleasant and can definitely impact your quality of life. However, as more research is done, the better we understand this disease and how to bring relief. As you grow in your knowledge of Crohns disease signs, symptoms and treatments, working closely with your doctor can help you to narrow down the right treatment combination to help bring you relief for all of your pain and suffering.