Crohn's Disease Means Lifelong Battle
What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease?
Each patient is different, and treatment is a trial-and-error process. The only certainty is that it is a lifelong battle." The cause of Crohn's is not known, but the National Institutes of Health notes that it can run in families and have a genetic component. Unknown triggers can also be caused by the environment. Early treatments for Crohn's disease primarily centered on steroid drugs such as prednisone, which relieved the inflammation but did little more. In recent years, there has been significant success in treating symptoms, and in some cases bringing about remission, with the use of newer anti-TNF drugs such as Remicade, Humira and Cimzia. However, they too have their own set of complications and side effects. The man who couldn't eat A diagnosis of Crohn's disease often brings more questions than answers, and patients can face a long list of ever-changing complications. In addition to pain, bleeding and bowel changes, they have difficulty absorbing nutrition and often deal with malnourishment, anemia and crippling fatigue. Left untreated, Crohn's spreads throughout the intestinal tract, causing more severe symptoms and a bleaker prognosis. The disease itself is not classified as a terminal illness, but the complications that arise from it can sometimes be life-threatening . Crohn's patients face another stark reality: In spite of their and their doctor's best efforts, the disease can stop responding to medication. When that happens, surgery becomes a last resort. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America , about 70% of Crohn's sufferers eventually require surgery. website link http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/health/crohns-disease-explained/index.html
The Basics of Crohn's Disease
Instead, a number of tests are often used to detect symptoms: blood tests check for anemia and signs of infection, and stool samples can determine whether blood is present in the GI tract. X-rays of the upper and lower digestive tract can also help confirm a diagnosis of the condition, while a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (procedures in which a small camera attached to a lighted scope is used to see inside the intestine) can show what's going on inside the bowel. In addition, a biopsy of bowel tissue allows doctors to examine the tissue on a cellular level. Complications of Crohn's Disease Crohn's is associated with an increased risk for other digestive problems, including bowel obstructions, fistulas (small ulcerlike sores inside the intestine or rectum), fissures (small cracks in the intestinal tract), and infections. Nutritional problems are also common because the inflamed digestive tract often cannot properly absorb nutrients from foods as they pass through it. This nutritional deficit can contribute to additional complications of Crohn's that seemingly have no connection to the digestive tract, including arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, and other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these secondary health issues disappear on their own with proper treatment for Crohn's, while others must be treated separately. How Is Crohn's Disease Treated? Because Crohn's disease can differ so much from person to person, you and your medical professional may have to try several approaches to find what works best. Lifestyle changes, medications, nutritional supplementation, and surgery are all options used to treat Crohn's disease. Drug therapies may consist of anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone or steroids, immune system suppressors, inflammation-response blockers, antibiotics, antidiarrhea medications, and fluid replacements. Remember, over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements are drugs too, so be sure to tell your health care providers about any that you use. sneak a peek at this site http://www.everydayhealth.com/specialreport/living-with-crohns-disease/basics-of-crohns-disease.aspx
What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? The presence of the following "alarm symptoms" of Crohn's disease requires prompt consultation with a doctor: abdominal pain diarrhea (especially if it occurs at night) associated with the following: weight loss iron deficiency elevated inflammatory markers Crohn's disease is often diagnosed by a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in the digestive system). It can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms associated with the condition often mirror those of other conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many tests and procedures are often required when diagnosing Crohn's disease, which makes the overall process take some time. Tests and procedures involved in the diagnostic process include, but are not limited to, a thorough physical examination, colonoscopies, endoscopies, and blood tests. X-rays can help the doctor determine the extent of the inflammation. So, what are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? The symptoms of Crohn's disease include: abdominal tenderness or swelling loss of appetite and weight rectal bleeding You may also have other symptoms, such as: being prone to blood clots (hypercoagulability) eye inflammation (red eye) joint pain skin rash Crohn's disease can lead to an extremely rare and potentially life-threatening condition called toxic megacolon. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can make the colon enlarge to the point where it may tear open, spilling the contents of the colon into the abdominal cavity. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice these symptoms of toxic megacolon: abdominal pain altered mental status (e.g., confusion) dehydration Other serious complications associated with Crohn's disease include: obstruction (blockage) fistulas (a hole that connects the intestine with the skin, other organs, or other parts of the intestine) ulcers anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the anus or in the anus itself) malnutrition Crohn's disease can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer. People with Crohn's disease should have regular colonoscopies to screen for cancer, as recommended by their doctors. A colonoscopy is a test where a flexible tube is inserted through the rectum into the colon to check for cancer. previous http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4790&channel_id=2059&relation_id=75670
Each patient is different, and treatment is a trial-and-error process. The only certainty is that it is a lifelong battle." The cause of Crohn's is not known, but the National Institutes of Health notes that it can run in families and have a genetic component. Unknown triggers can also be caused by the environment. Early treatments for Crohn's disease primarily centered on steroid drugs such as prednisone, which relieved the inflammation but did little more. In recent years, there has been significant success in treating symptoms, and in some cases bringing about remission, with the use of newer anti-TNF drugs such as Remicade, Humira and Cimzia. However, they too have their own set of complications and side effects. The man who couldn't eat A diagnosis of Crohn's disease often brings more questions than answers, and patients can face a long list of ever-changing complications. In addition to pain, bleeding and bowel changes, they have difficulty absorbing nutrition and often deal with malnourishment, anemia and crippling fatigue. Left untreated, Crohn's spreads throughout the intestinal tract, causing more severe symptoms and a bleaker prognosis. The disease itself is not classified as a terminal illness, but the complications that arise from it can sometimes be life-threatening . Crohn's patients face another stark reality: In spite of their and their doctor's best efforts, the disease can stop responding to medication. When that happens, surgery becomes a last resort. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America , about 70% of Crohn's sufferers eventually require surgery. website link http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/health/crohns-disease-explained/index.html
The Basics of Crohn's Disease
Instead, a number of tests are often used to detect symptoms: blood tests check for anemia and signs of infection, and stool samples can determine whether blood is present in the GI tract. X-rays of the upper and lower digestive tract can also help confirm a diagnosis of the condition, while a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (procedures in which a small camera attached to a lighted scope is used to see inside the intestine) can show what's going on inside the bowel. In addition, a biopsy of bowel tissue allows doctors to examine the tissue on a cellular level. Complications of Crohn's Disease Crohn's is associated with an increased risk for other digestive problems, including bowel obstructions, fistulas (small ulcerlike sores inside the intestine or rectum), fissures (small cracks in the intestinal tract), and infections. Nutritional problems are also common because the inflamed digestive tract often cannot properly absorb nutrients from foods as they pass through it. This nutritional deficit can contribute to additional complications of Crohn's that seemingly have no connection to the digestive tract, including arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, and other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these secondary health issues disappear on their own with proper treatment for Crohn's, while others must be treated separately. How Is Crohn's Disease Treated? Because Crohn's disease can differ so much from person to person, you and your medical professional may have to try several approaches to find what works best. Lifestyle changes, medications, nutritional supplementation, and surgery are all options used to treat Crohn's disease. Drug therapies may consist of anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone or steroids, immune system suppressors, inflammation-response blockers, antibiotics, antidiarrhea medications, and fluid replacements. Remember, over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements are drugs too, so be sure to tell your health care providers about any that you use. sneak a peek at this site http://www.everydayhealth.com/specialreport/living-with-crohns-disease/basics-of-crohns-disease.aspx
What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? The presence of the following "alarm symptoms" of Crohn's disease requires prompt consultation with a doctor: abdominal pain diarrhea (especially if it occurs at night) associated with the following: weight loss iron deficiency elevated inflammatory markers Crohn's disease is often diagnosed by a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in the digestive system). It can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms associated with the condition often mirror those of other conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many tests and procedures are often required when diagnosing Crohn's disease, which makes the overall process take some time. Tests and procedures involved in the diagnostic process include, but are not limited to, a thorough physical examination, colonoscopies, endoscopies, and blood tests. X-rays can help the doctor determine the extent of the inflammation. So, what are the symptoms of Crohn's disease? The symptoms of Crohn's disease include: abdominal tenderness or swelling loss of appetite and weight rectal bleeding You may also have other symptoms, such as: being prone to blood clots (hypercoagulability) eye inflammation (red eye) joint pain skin rash Crohn's disease can lead to an extremely rare and potentially life-threatening condition called toxic megacolon. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can make the colon enlarge to the point where it may tear open, spilling the contents of the colon into the abdominal cavity. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice these symptoms of toxic megacolon: abdominal pain altered mental status (e.g., confusion) dehydration Other serious complications associated with Crohn's disease include: obstruction (blockage) fistulas (a hole that connects the intestine with the skin, other organs, or other parts of the intestine) ulcers anal fissures (cracks in the skin near the anus or in the anus itself) malnutrition Crohn's disease can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer. People with Crohn's disease should have regular colonoscopies to screen for cancer, as recommended by their doctors. A colonoscopy is a test where a flexible tube is inserted through the rectum into the colon to check for cancer. previous http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4790&channel_id=2059&relation_id=75670
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