What You May Not Know About Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract, mostly affecting the small intestine and sometimes extending to the colon. A misconception of inflammatory bowel disease categorizes and defines it by the fact that the person has diarrhea and cramping. Anyone who suffers from it knows that would make illnesses like Crohn’s Disease way too simple. The unfortunate reality is that there is no medical test that will consistently point the doctors to the precise diagnosis. Many times, it will be a question of process of elimination. The different types of Crohn’s disease will depend on the location of its manifested symptoms within the digestive system.
Where are the symptoms of Crohn’s found?
Even though this inflammatory disease appears to be in the digestive system, the symptoms can also be extra-intestinal thus affecting skin, eyes, liver and joints. People who live with Crohn’s can even develop arthritis and osteoporosis due to the disease itself or to some of the medications that are prescribed as part of the Crohn’s disease medical treatment.
Where does Crohn’s disease start and where does it end?
Some experts say Crohn’s Disease starts in the genes, therefore it is a lifelong chronic condition without any cure but the individual may be in long-term remission. The most common complication seems to be a blockage of the small intestine caused by an excessive amount of inflammation and swelling of the gastrointestinal wall, which often leads to severe cramps, bloating and even vomiting. Diet and stress seem to flare it up, yet an integrative approach can ease the symptoms and help the body find its balanced state.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect the digestive tract, leading to severe pain in the abdominal region, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss due to malnutrition, and lethargy. Although the potential reversal of the disease eludes science, there are many ways to find the cause of your imbalance, help manage the symptoms and gain your life back. Contact our office and learn about your options.
