Colitis Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease, also called granulomatous colitis is a chronic illness which affects human intestines. The name of the disease relates to the physician Burrill Bernard Crohn who described it in 1932. Besides intestines, the digestive system is attacked too. It is also related to another condition which affects the colon, named ulcerative colitis. This malady is not curable. It begins during adolescence and it's not contagious.

The causes which determine the Crohn's disease are still unknown. Scientists have several theories about the Crohn's disease. It is suspected that a certain bacteria cause it but there are no specific evidences to demonstrate it. Others believe that the immune system reacts abnormally in people who have this disease confusing foods and bacteria with foreign substances attacking the body and producing inflammations.

In order to diagnose the Crohn`s disease a series of tests need to be taken. Blood tests are important as they can show if a person suffers from anaemia which indicates intestine bleedings. The inflammation can also be determined by the raised white blood cells in the body. In order to take the test, the patient need to drink a special solution called barium which shows the inflammation when X rays is taken. In order to make a proper diagnostic, doctors can view the patient's colon by introducing a computer linked flexible tube into the anus. This procedure helps specialists see whether there is a colon problem. For better results, patients can have either a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy helping doctors to monitor the whole large intestine.

Crohn's disease can lead to critical complications such as intestine blockage and nutritional problems. The blockage appears when the intestinal walls get thick due to inflammations. It also can cause sores, ulcers, fistulas which can be treated with medicine although surgery is sometimes required. Patients can also have nutritional problems. Inadequate diets lead to loss or poor absorption of the needed proteins. Scientists call it mal-absorption. Patients can also have symptoms such as abdominal pains in the lower part, weight loss, vomiting, skin rashes, fever, kidney stones, as well as bleedings which may be persistent leading to anaemia.

The Crohn's disease treatment include drugs, nutrition supplements or in worst cases surgery. Although there is no permanent cure, the treatment helps patients to control the inflammations, to prevent and to reduce nutritional deficiency, the abdominal pains, bleedings and diaria. It depends on the disease's severity as some people can live several years of remission without any symptoms.

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