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Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a long-term disease and is considered as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which lining of the digestive tract is inflamed (Warner & Barto, 2010). This inflammation can mostly be found in the last parts of the small intestine or the large intestine. Most important symptoms of the Crohn’s disease include diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, blood and mucus in the feces, and unintentional weight loss. However, sometimes there are no symptoms of the disease or there can be mild symptoms for longer periods of time, and then the symptoms suddenly become troublesome (NHS, 2015).
Crohn’s disease requires more research as scientists are still not aware of the exact cause of the disease. However, certain factors are found to have an important role in the development of the disease. Those risk factors may include (NHS, 2015):
genetic factors as inherited genes from parents can increase the chances of developing the disease;
the immunity that can attack the healthy bacteria in the gut;
previous infection resulting in abnormal response from the immunity; smoking can aggravate the problems of the disease, and
environmental factors as, for example, the disease is most commonly found in Western parts of the world and least commonly found in poorer countries, thereby showing the environment has an important role in the development of the disease
Crohn’s disease requires further research in its treatment, but healthcare experts commonly use therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory processes and symptoms. Healthcare experts try to avoid surgery as much as possible, and use steroid medication including corticosteroids as the first treatment to reduce symptoms. If steroids don’t work, medicines to suppress the immunity such as immunosuppressants are used along with medicines to decrease inflammation (Wolf, 2011).
References
NHS. (2015). Crohn’s disease. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Crohns-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Warner, A. S., & Barto, A. E. (2010). 100 Questions & Answers about Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Wolf, J. (2011). A Woman's Guide to a Healthy Stomach: Taking Control of Your Digestive Health: Harlequin.
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