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Crohn’s Disease
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional
enteritis), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive or
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can lead to various symptoms, as detailed below.
The disease is named after a physician, Dr Crohn, who first described it in 1932. It most commonly begins during adolescence and early
adulthood, but on rare occasions it has also been known to start in childhood and later in life.
Crohn's disease affects between 400,000 - 600,000 of people in North America and approximately 90,000 people in the UK. Prevalence
estimates for Northern Europe have ranged from 27-48 per 100,000. Men and women seem to be equally affected, but parents, siblings and
children of people with Crohn's disease are 3 - 20 times more likely to develop the disease.
It is thought that it can be contracted when the body’s immune system has an abnormal response to normal bacteria in the intestine. Because
it is caused by the immune system, Crohn’s disease is classified medically as an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body
produces antibodies that work against itself. Other kinds of bacteria and viruses may also play a role in causing the disease.
Crohn’s disease symptoms
Crohn’s disease primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines - most commonly the ileum - but can
affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ and can cause pain
and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhoea (which may be bloody). Other common symptoms include abdominal
pain, vomiting and weight loss.
Although less common, Crohn’s disease has also been known to cause complications outside of the GI tract. For example, skin rashes,
arthritis and inflammation of the eye.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are very similar to other digestive disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac
disease and ulcerative colitis. As such, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of
the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved and normal healthy bowel can be found
between sections of diseased bowel. Together, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel
diseases (IBDs).
Once a person has the disease, it tends to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse). Treatment options are
restricted to controlling symptoms, maintaining remission and preventing relapse - see further below.
Crohn’s disease diet
Unfortunately, doctors don’t know what causes Crohn's disease and there is no known medical cure.
Although not certain, Crohn’s is understood to have a large environmental component, as evidenced by the significantly higher number of
cases presenting in Western industrialised nations. This could, of course, be linked to diet and lifestyle. For example, smokers are 3 times
more likely to develop Crohn's disease than non-smokers.
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Crohn’s Disease
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional
enteritis), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive or
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can lead to various symptoms, as detailed below.
The disease is named after a physician, Dr Crohn, who first described it in 1932. It most commonly begins during adolescence and early
adulthood, but on rare occasions it has also been known to start in childhood and later in life.
Crohn's disease affects between 400,000 - 600,000 of people in North America and approximately 90,000 people in the UK. Prevalence
estimates for Northern Europe have ranged from 27-48 per 100,000. Men and women seem to be equally affected, but parents, siblings and
children of people with Crohn's disease are 3 - 20 times more likely to develop the disease.
It is thought that it can be contracted when the body’s immune system has an abnormal response to normal bacteria in the intestine. Because
it is caused by the immune system, Crohn’s disease is classified medically as an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body
produces antibodies that work against itself. Other kinds of bacteria and viruses may also play a role in causing the disease.
Crohn’s disease symptoms
Crohn’s disease primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines - most commonly the ileum - but can
affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ and can cause pain
and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhoea (which may be bloody). Other common symptoms include abdominal
pain, vomiting and weight loss.
Although less common, Crohn’s disease has also been known to cause complications outside of the GI tract. For example, skin rashes,
arthritis and inflammation of the eye.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are very similar to other digestive disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac
disease and ulcerative colitis. As such, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of
the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved and normal healthy bowel can be found
between sections of diseased bowel. Together, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel
diseases (IBDs).
Once a person has the disease, it tends to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse). Treatment options are
restricted to controlling symptoms, maintaining remission and preventing relapse - see further below.
Crohn’s disease diet
Unfortunately, doctors don’t know what causes Crohn's disease and there is no known medical cure.
Although not certain, Crohn’s is understood to have a large environmental component, as evidenced by the significantly higher number of
cases presenting in Western industrialised nations. This could, of course, be linked to diet and lifestyle. For example, smokers are 3 times
more likely to develop Crohn's disease than non-smokers.
Need some help? 0845 094 3627
This is an information site only!
[Irritable Bowel Syndrome] [Crohn’s Disease] [Ulcerative Colitis] [Coeliac Disease] [Organic Food] [Organic Supplements] [Superfood Powder Blends] [Alternatives to Juicing]
[Digestion System Health] [Diet Foods] [Colon Cleanse Products] [Diarrhea Free] [Specialist Supplements] [Future Nutrition] [Organic Food Supplements] [Organic Food Supplier] [Dietary Products]
[Own Label Products] [Web Design] [Drop-ship Service] [Healthy Weight Loss] [Health Care] [Health Blog] [Probiotics Supplier] [Slimming Products] [Products Catalogue] [Turnkey Websites]
[Cleanse and Detox] [Superfood Supplements] [Women’s Health] [Weight Management] [Protein Shakes] [Meal Replacements Slimming] [Health Supplements UK] [New and Coming Soon]
[Home] [Products] [Services] [Digestive Health] [Go Organic] [Juicing] [Living and Raw Foods] [Health Information Pages] [Blog] [Contact] [Sitemap]