What Causes It?

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Understanding Chron's Symptoms

Written by Aidan Gillen

Understanding Chron's Disease Chron's disease is a serious, life long illness involving the digestive tract. Those who have this illness are suffering from inflammation of the bowel, often called IBD (inflammatory bowel disease.)  In this condition, the digestive tract becomes swollen in areas. Over time, deep sores form throughout the digestive tract.  These are ulcers. The ulcers can worsen, causing pain, discomfort and trouble with each digestive movement. Within the digestive tract, the upper portion of the large intestine and the small intestine are rarely affected by the condition but it can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. Chron's Disease Symptoms The symptoms of Chron's disease can vary from person to person, but the most common problems experienced are pain in the abdomen and diarrhea. In some situations, there will be blood within the stool. It is common for patients to suffer from diarrhea episodes ten to twenty times per day if they are suffering from this illness. Most people will begin to lose weight, as their body becomes unable to use the nutrients in the food, and many will eat less to experience fewer symptoms. Other symptoms common with Chron's disease including sores within the mouth, fissures around the anus, called anal tears and fistulas, or openings, between the organs of the body.The disease can worsen over time. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important for you to talk with your doctor about them as soon as possible.  Work with your doctor to determine what the problem is, as there are other illnesses that can be linked or considered similar to Chron's disease. At the same time, your doctor needs to take note of what your symptoms are and monitor them for changes that could mean a complication to the illness or a worsening of it in other ways. Common signs that the illness is worsening including the following: Vomiting: frequent vomiting is common for those who are experiencing a worsening of symptoms. Vomiting may be several times per day. Pain: Pain in the abdomen may worsen, when the pain becomes severe, or worse than it commonly is, this is a sign to speak with your doctor about. Pulse Weakening: In some people, the blood pressure drops when the condition worsens.  This is evident by feeling faint, passing out, and having a weak pulse. These are emergencies that require medical attention right away. Flu Like Symptoms: Vomiting and a fever often allow patients to believe they are suffering from the flu when in fact it can be a symptom of the Chron's disease progression. If you experience any of these worsening symptoms of Chron's disease, you should speak with your doctor immediately.  For immediate help, call 911. Because symptoms can progress quickly over a short amount of time, doctors can be necessary right away.In addition to monitoring these symptoms, you should also know that some activities can cause the symptoms of Chron's disease to worsen. Infections in virtually any part of the body can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to heal ulcers in the digestive tract. If you have hormonal changes, this too can cause the body to experience more intense symptoms. Stress and smoking can add to the problem, often making the pain more intense or bringing it back to its most intense level. In most cases, people will have symptoms that come and go over time. For some individuals, the symptoms do not stop, but are near constant. This is the most severe form of the illness and often leads to the most long term complications. Others will have very few symptoms and may even go long periods without having any symptoms whatsoever. Only time will tell how intense your symptoms are, but your doctor can provide you with treatments to help you manage them.

Treatment Options

Written by Aidan Gillen

What Causes It? Chron's disease is one of the many diseases doctors are unsure about. Doctors are working on learning more about this unique condition. It is widely believed that a compromise of the immune system is what the underlying cause of the illness is. If the body's immune system is compromised, and has an abnormal response to the normal types of bacteria found in your intestine, this may cause the Chron's disease to formulate and express itself. In addition to this, doctors do know that those who suffer from Chron's disease often have a family history of the illness. Those with some heritages may also have an increased risk in developing the condition.  This includes those who have an Eastern European heritage, including many Jewish families.  In addition, doctors have found that those who smoke have larger incidents of the illness. Treatment Options Doctors do have help for those who are suffering from Chron's disease. The type of treatment available will not cure the condition. Rather, doctors can provide medication and treatments that will minimize the frequency and the intensity of the symptoms you experience. Some types of mild Chron's disease can be treated with over the counter medications, such as anti diarrheal products. For more intense symptoms, doctors may provide you with medications in prescription form to help heal the ulcers found within the digestive tract. In cases where the symptoms are intense, symptoms may require surgery.In addition to these treatments for Chron's disease, there are some lifestyle changes you can take on that can greatly improve your symptoms and help you to avoid complications. Not smoking is one of the most common recommendations by doctors. Additionally, improving your diet by eating a more vegetable and fiber based diet can be helpful. Doctors often recommend eating less sugary foods, too. Exercise can also help improve your body's ability to function correctly.Chron's disease is a disease that will not go away instantly. Rather, it will require lifelong management. Often times, through careful diet and medication treatment, those who have the condition can maintain a healthy, long life without complications. For severe cases, doctors will work closely with you to insure your remain as healthy as possible.