Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, which can affect any part of gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease is considered to be a type of autoimmune disease.
Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. This inflammation often spreads into the deeper layers of the bowel.
Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.
SYMPTOMS OF CROHN'S DISEASE
Signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease can range from mild to severe. They usually develop gradually, but sometimes will come on suddenly, without warning.
When the disease is active, signs and symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Pain or drainage near or around the anus due to inflammation from a tunnel into the skin (fistula)
Other signs and symptoms
People with severe Crohn's disease may also experience:
- Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints
- Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts
- Kidney stones
- Iron deficiency (anemia)
- Delayed growth or sexual development, in children
CAUSES OF CROHN'S DISEASE
The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors may aggravate, but don't cause, Crohn's disease. Several factors, such as heredity and a malfunctioning immune system, likely play a role in its development.
- Immune system-It is possible that a virus or bacterium may trigger Crohn's disease,however, scientists have yet to identify such a trigger. When our immune system tries to fight off the invading microorganism, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract, too.
- Heredity- Crohn's is more common in people who have family members with the disease, so genes may play a role in making people more susceptible. However, most people with Crohn's disease do not have a family history of the disease.
RISK FACTORS
Risk factors for Crohn's disease may include:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Family history
- Cigarette smoking
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
COMPLICATIONS OF CHRON'S DISEASE
Crohn's disease may lead to one or more of the following complications:
- Bowel obstruction.
- Ulcers.
- Fistulas.
- Anal fissure.
- Malnutrition.
- Colon cancer.
- Other health problems.
- Medication risks.
- Blood clots
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR CROHN'S DISEASE
ALOE
Useful for chron's disease when abdomen feels full, heavy, hot and bloated.There is pain in abdomen before and during stools.Suited when every morning the patient is driven out of bed to go to the bathroom.
TEREBINTH
Useful for chron's disease with entero-colitis, with hemorrhage and ulceration of the bowels. Given when there is enormous distention of abdomen.
CARBO VEG
Useful for chron's disease with discharge of blood from the rectum.There is frequent involuntary stools.Useful when there is distension feeling in upper abdomen.
RL 36
