Chron's Disease

Written by John Taylor

What's Chron's Disease? Individuals who suffer from Chrons disease are suffering from a life debilitating condition. The illness is characterized as a inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. In this particular disease, the lining of the digestive tract is inflamed. The inflammation leads to abdominal pain and intense diarrhea on a regular basis. The condition does worsen, and as it does it infects deeper layers of the digestive tract progressively getting more painful. In some patients, the complications of Chron's are potentially life threatening. Individuals suffering from this disease are often faced with the need for medication and other treatments. When you seek out a doctor's help for Chron's, they will prescribe anti inflammatory medications to quell the pain and discomfort. Additionally, they will give you a diet to follow and lifestyle change. When treatment is followed, and done early enough, there is relief from the pain. Some people also go through a period of long term remission where the illness does not progress and often lies in remission. Determining if you have Chron's is the job of your family doctor. There are several symptoms that expose themselves, depending on which level of the disease you are at. Most people see a gradual development of the symptoms. The first is diarrhea. Diarrhea happens because the inflammation causes the cells in the area to produce and secrete water and salt into the digestive track.  The colon can't handle the extra fluids and therefore they are passed out of your symptom. At the beginning stages of Chron's, you may have loose stools, rather than straight diarrhea. Another common symptom is abdominal pain. The digestive tract will swell. Over time, it breaks open to form ulcers along the lining. This will scar over. The process creates a lot of pain in the abdominal region. Pain and intense cramping is often seen. Additionally, the weakened tissues along the lining of the digestive tract are scraped against by the foods you eat. This leads to blood in the stool. As the disease progresses without treatment, the bleeding can be severe and life threatening. Other symptoms of Chron's include a reduced appetite, ulcers, fistula or abscesses and weight loss. A fistula happens when the progression of the illness allows it to pass through the walls of organs, forming a connection between the two that should not be there.  This too is highly dangerous. Doctors prescribe anti inflammatory drugs including sulfasalazine, mesalamine and corticosteroids to treat the condition. They may also give you an immune suppressant, which will keep the body from attacking the illness, which is what causes the inflammation. Medications here include azathioprine, infliximab and mercaptopurine. Changing your diet is something most doctors recommend for Chron's rehabilitation. Eating soft foods, non acid or fatty foods can help to reduce the inflammation and tearing of the digestive tract. Smoking, alcohol and caffeine can worsen the condition leading to more pain. Chron's is a serious illness. If you believe you could be suffering from it, seek out the help of your medical provider as soon as possible.

 

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