Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect a person’s digestive system, and more often than not, affects the small intestine and colon. Inflammation along the digestive tract can interfere with its normal process, causing pain as it spreads deep into the layers of the affected section of bowel tissue, and even turn into a life-threatening event.

Causes of Crohn’s disease

While there is no medical proof as to what causes Crohn’s disease, doctors and researchers believe that factors such as autoimmune reactions to bacteria in the digestive tract, hereditary genes of families, smoking, and age may be the prime cause of the disease.

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease

While a patient may develop the symptoms of Crohn’s disease slowly, it may turn severe over some time. On a rare occasion, other patients may experience their symptoms abruptly.

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:

• Abdominal cramps
• diarrhea
• Blood in stools
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Frequent need for bowel movements
• Fatigue

More severe symptoms may include:

• Perianal fistula
• Formation of ulcer between the mouth and anus
• Anemia leading to shortness of breath
• Inflammation of joints and skin

If such symptoms are detected at an early stage, it becomes easier to commence treatments and avoid any critical developments that the disease may carry.

Diagnosis and treatment

A doctor may resort to multiple tests to narrow down on Crohn’s disease, given that the actual cause is still unknown. He may also recommend multiple rounds of each test to determine the extent of tissue damage induced by the disease.

Some diagnostic tests include:

• Stool samples and blood tests to indicate anemia and inflation
• A capsule endoscopy (Small capsule containing a camera) that takes pictures as it moves through the small intestine
• Colonoscopy, to examine the entire large intestine or a sigmoidoscopy to examine only its last 20 inches
• An imaging test like CT or MRI scans to enable the doctor to inspect specific areas of the patient’s intestines for any rupture

There is no immediate cure for Crohn’s disease, although there is an array of treatment options that help reduce the severity and frequency of the symptoms in patients. Anti-diarrheal medicine like Loperamide, Diphenoxylate, or Cholestyramine is commonly used to treat the disease.

Other types of treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication

Oral 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids are usually the first anti-inflammatory medication taken to treat Crohn’s disease. While corticosteroids are prescribed for severe symptoms, it should only be consumed for a short while.

• Immunomodulators

This medication can help reduce the inflammatory response from Crohn’s disease, and restrict how the person’s immune system may react to it.

• Antibiotics

Antibiotics can help reduce Crohn’s symptoms by reducing drainage and healing fistulas (Abnormal connections between tissues) and even eliminate harmful bacteria that may have added to the inflammation process.

• Biologic therapies

Modern medicine includes Biologics (Medication made from living cells) that target only select sections infected by the illness. Such type of medication blocks specific proteins that may lead to inflammation in the intestine.

• Dietary changes

A registered dietitian is suggested by the doctor to help patients understand how food alters their symptoms, further making certain diet recommendations. Initially, the patient is asked to maintain a diary to record what food he/she consumes and the after-effects of such a meal. Following this, the registered dietitian creates certain dietary guidelines that help the patient absorb maximum nutrients from the food while restricting the negative ill-effects of the same.

• Surgery

Though an ultimatum treatment for Crohn’s disease, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, approximately 75 percent of patients undergo a surgical procedure. The process involves extracting damaged sections of the digestive tract and reconnecting the healthy sections. Other methods repair tissue damage, scar damage, or even treat deep infections.

Each of these treatments depends upon the patient’s symptoms, disease history, severity, and treatment response.

Natural treatment and diet for Crohn’s disease

Although such treatments are not approved by the USFDA, people prefer complementary and alternative medicine, in addition to mainstream medication, to treat the disease.

Some well-known alternative treatments include:

• Probiotics

Live bacteria that help the patient rebuild good bacteria in the intestinal tract and also prevent microorganisms from upsetting the natural balance of the gut.

• Prebiotics

Asparagus, bananas, artichokes, and leeks are beneficial materials found in plants that help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. Such materials are even available for purchase in supplement form.

• Fish oil

Rich in Omega-3s, ongoing research strives to prove fish oil as a treatment for Crohn’s disease.

• Supplements

Research suggests that supplements of herbs, vitamins, and minerals ease the inflammation caused by the disease.

• Aloe vera

Though no research proves that aloe vera helps treat Crohn’s, people still believe that it contains anti-inflammatory properties.

There are dietary plans that the patient could follow such as:

• Adjust regular fiber intake
• Limit fat intake
• Limit dairy intake
• Drink plenty of water
• Consume the right multivitamins prescribed by the doctor

While each of these medications or treatments may help reduce the effects of Crohn’s disease, people diagnosed with it tend to exhibit depression, anxiety, and isolation. To help someone overcome these feelings, one can listen to the patient and understand how they feel. Encourage and help enroll them to support groups for people suffering from the same disease and possibly even consult a therapist. Emotions are the end-game and can help brighten up anyone’s day.

This article is for information purposes only. Always consult and seek the advice of a physician/licensed healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or medication.