What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

What causes Crohn's Disease?

Several theories exist about what causes Crohn’s disease, but none have been proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that protect people from infection. The most popular theory is that the body’s immune system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn’s disease, mistaking bacteria, foods, and other substances for being foreign. The immune system’s response is to attack these “invaders.” During this process, white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury.

Scientists do not know if the abnormality in the functioning of the immune system in people with Crohn’s disease is a cause, or a result, of the disease. Research shows that the inflammation seen in the GI tract of people with Crohn’s disease involves several factors: the genes the patient has inherited, the immune system itself, and the environment. Foreign substances, also referred to as antigens, are found in the environment. One possible cause for inflammation may be the body’s reaction to these antigens, or that the antigens themselves are the cause for the inflammation. Scientists have found that high levels of a protein produced by the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), are present in people with Crohn’s disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of Crohn's Disease?

Since the disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, people with Crohn’s have very diverse symptoms. The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia.

Children with Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.

How common is Crohn's Disease?

An estimated 170,000 Canadian men and women suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Canada is believed to have one of the highest incidence rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the world.

(Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, 2006).

What health problems are caused by Crohn's Disease?

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn’s disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.

Nutritional complications are common in Crohn’s disease. Deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins are well documented. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption, also referred to as malabsorption.

Other complications associated with Crohn’s disease include arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these problems resolve during treatment for disease in the digestive system, but some must be treated separately.

Consequences of Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (lifelong) illness. People who have CD will experience periods of acute flare-ups, when their symptoms are active and other times when their symptoms go into remission. The average risk of a flare-up in any one year is approximately 30%.

In 25% of those with CD, perianal disease may also develop. “Peri” means “around” – therefore perianal disease is located “around the anus”.
 

Specifically this means that a person could develop:

• Painful, swollen skin tags (that appear to be hemhorrhoids but are not).
• Abscesses (bags of pus created inside the body as a result of infection).
• Fistulas (infections that have tunneled from the abscess to a hollow organ such as the rectum or vagina). This may require removing the section of intestine where the fistula has developed.
• Blockages can develop when diseased tissue scars and thickens until food can’t pass through it. Surgery may be needed to remove an obstruction or the blockage.
• People who have Crohn’s disease may have surgery to remove diseased segments of the ileum, leaving less nutrient-absorbing tissue to process required vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

What can be done to help with Crohn's Disease?

The following products can help alleviate the symptoms of Crohn's Disease and in many cases provide significant relief.

To rebuild and repair and to help with the actual symptoms.

• IntestiNEW -  to rebuild the intestinal lining and relieve inflammation.
• Intestinal Bowel Soother - for acute attacks. It helps to soothe the intestines and bowel.
• Probiotics - to replace good bacteria. Ultimate Flora Critical Care when symptoms are not under control and FloraSMART Extra Strength when symptoms are under control.
• FishSMART - to lubricate the intestinal tract, reduce inflammation and help with tissue repair.

 

Research source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/ - 27 Aug 09