Crohn's disease affects the small and large intestines, causing inflammation within the intestines, fistulas, abscesses, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss and diarrhea. There is no cure for this disease, but there is medication and surgery to help alleviate the symptoms. Having a well-balanced diet and avoiding certain types of foods may help as well.
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is referred to as an inflammatory bowel disease because this disease causes inflammation in the small and large bowels, or in the small and large intestines. An estimated three to 14 people for every 100,000 has Crohn's disease. Approximately 50 percent of the people with this disorder have inflammation in both intestines, 30 percent have the inflammation in just the small intestines, while 20 percent have it in only the large intestines, according to Kenneth McQuaid, M.D., Chief of the Gastroenterology Section at the San Francisco V.A. Medical Center in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment."
Characteristics of Crohn's Disease
The inflammation goes through all of the layers of the intestines while at the same time, there will be an area of inflamed intestines, then an area of normal tissue, then another area of inflammation, and so on. Dr. McQuaid writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment that an estimated 30 percent have abscesses and fistulas. A fistula is the medical term for an abnormal opening that goes from one body part to another. People may have fistulas between different areas of the intestines, or from the intestines to the bladder, skin or vagina.
Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
People with Crohn's disease may have abnormal pains, weight loss, fever and a watery diarrhea. If they have inflammation in the rectum -- which is unusual -- they will have bloody diarrhea, explains Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Some may have a smelly, fatty diarrhea if their intestines cannot absorb fat due to the inflammation, which causes loss of fat through bowel movements. Others may have abdominal pain that resembles appendicitis. Children with Crohn's may not demonstrate normal growth and have anemia and arthritis.
Diet for Crohn's Disease
In "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment," McQuaid writes that people with this disease should have a well-balanced diet and consider eating smaller meals at frequent intervals. If diarrhea is present, they should drink fluids so they do not get dehydrated. Greasy foods and fried foods make the symptoms worse for many, and many people find that they are also lactose intolerant. It is therefore beneficial for many Crohn's sufferers to follow a specific diet in which fatty foods and dairy products are eliminated. Nuts, popcorn, raw vegetables and raw fruits may make the symptoms worse for some as well, so these may be added to the list of foods to avoid.
Medical Treatment
In addition to the specific diet for Crohn's disease, there are medications for this disorder. The primary medication for people who have mild to moderate symptoms is sulfasalazine and mesalamine, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." These medicines are used because they fight inflammation. Glucocorticoids is another type of medicine that is used, as it is also anti-inflammatory. For people who do not respond to glucocorticoids, the physician may prescribe infliximab, an antibody that fights against proinflammatory proteins.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2011
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Crohn's Disease
