Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where some parts of a person’s digestive system become inflamed. It is most commonly diagnosed in people that are in their early 20’s and sometimes their early 30’s. Crohn’s disease is also a lifelong condition which means that it is something that you will always have. However, this does not mean that you will be living in a constant state of being unwell. This is because there are treatments available which can help to reduce and manage these symptoms.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms that are common amongst those with Crohn’s disease. These can include:
- Looser bowel habit
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Pain when eating
- Stomach aches
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Blood in stool
- Joint pain
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Being and feeling sick
- Developing Anaemia
- Constipation
Crohn’s disease is a condition that can be very unpredictable. This is because people will usually go through periods where they are in good health and their symptoms have gone away, known as remission. However, when the symptoms return this is called a flare-up or a relapse. Each person will experience these flare-ups in a different way both in terms of the symptoms they are having and the duration of them.
Causes
Currently the exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not understood. In a normal case a person’s immune system aids them by helping to protect their body from infections and harmful substances. But for someone with Crohn’s their immune system starts to attack their gut which causes ulcers and inflammation. It is believed that this could be caused by a combination of factors including:
- Environmental factors
- Bacteria in the gut
- Something going wrong with the immune system
- Gene’s that have been inherited
Environmental factors
A range of environmental factors can increase the risk of a person developing Crohn’s disease. These can include bacteria, viruses, smoking and particular medicines.
Gut bacteria
There are micro-organisms such as bacteria’s, viruses and fungi that live in, and help the gut. But for someone with Crohn’s they have an abnormal balance of these helpful bacteria.
Immune system
With someone that has Crohn’s there is a problem with their immune system which causes it to attack their digestive system.
Genes
Research has found that of the many genetic variations that affects a person’s risk of developing Crohn’s, they are found in genes that control the immune system. These changes can provide a possible explanation to the immune systems response to bacteria that is found in the gut. When this factor is combined with the others listed above, they can lead to inflammation continuing.
Diagnosis
The first step in getting a diagnosis is to book an appointment with a GP. At this meeting they will usually ask questions regarding symptoms, diet, medication being taken and any possible family history of the condition. This allows them to get a better understanding of what is being experienced as well as being able to rule out the possibility that the symptoms are a cause of another condition. They may also ask for a blood and stool sample as they can use them to test for such things as inflammation. If they believe the symptoms are caused by Crohn’s disease, they will make a referral to a specialist for further testing.
Specialist
There are several tests that can be conducted by a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. These can include a biopsy, a colonoscopy or an MRI or CT scan. A colonoscopy is where a thin tube with a camera attached to it is inserted into your bottom to look for any inflamed areas in the bowel. An MRI or CT scan can be carried out which can help to show detailed images of organs and the damage done to them.
Treatment
At this moment in time no cure for Crohn’s disease has been developed. However, there are treatments available that can help to stop the inflammation in the gut. As a result, this will either get rid of or reduce the symptoms.
Medication
There are medications that can be prescribed with the aim of stopping the inflammation in the gut, controlling flare-ups and keeping a person in remission. This would normally be in the form of steroid medicines. There are side effects that can be caused by their use which can include mood changes, weight gain and an increased risk of infection. Therefore, the benefits and the risks of each medication should be weighed up before a decision is made as to what would be the best treatment option. It is also vital to make a prompt call to a doctor if any of side effects are being experienced.
Diet
It is important to eat a well-balanced diet as this can provide all the nutrients needed to both maintain weight and keep our strength up. But, as has been stated above someone with Crohn’s disease is at a risk of losing weight due to the pain they have when trying to eat. This means that some people may benefit from taking in liquid food to make sure that they provide their body with all the nutrients it needs.
Surgery
In the case that medication is not helping and flare-ups keep occurring, surgery can be performed to remove parts of the gut that have been affected. It is also something that can be recommended if there is a high risk of developing cancer in the bowel.
Conclusion
To conclude, Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition that causes parts of a person’s digestive system to become inflamed. Despite the fact that there is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, a doctor can prescribe medications, dietary changes or surgery to help manage the condition and reduce its symptoms.