Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal system or other parts of the body from mouth, oesophagus, stomach, intestines and colon. It usually affects the lower end of the small intestine and the start of the colon area. It is also known as ileitis, regional enteritis and colitis, resulting in ulceration bleeding and scar tissue.

Symptoms:
1. Diarrhoea which can be bloody at times leading to iron deficiency anaemia.
2. Abdominal pain
3. Bloating especially after meals.
4. Patients are afraid to eat which can lead to loss of weight and sometimes malnutrition.

Causes:

• The cause of this disease is unknown but scientists think it starts with inflammation which can affect the immune system and is caused by the bacteria in the intestine.
• This disease can run in families.

This is the disease of young people usually between 20-30 years old but can also affect kids in turn can affect their growth and can cause stress and depression leading sometimes to social isolation and other emotional issues.
It usually starts with inflammation causing ulcerations which can spread leading to scars and narrowing of the bowel ,which can lead to an intestinal obstruction if left untreated. This disease can also lead to another complication known as a fistula which can sometimes be helped by surgical intervention.

If you think you are suffering from crohn’s you should see your doctor who might refer you to a gastroenterologist for investigations, diagnosis and treatment to avoid sometimes very serious complications.

There are other inflammatory bowel diseases which have to be ruled out especially ulcerative colitis in which the inflammation is mostly superficial and uninterrupted in the colonic area while inflammation of crohn’s is deeper, patchy and interrupted and can begin anywhere in the body such as the joints causing arthritis, osteoporosis, it can affect the eye sight, invades skin causing a condition called Erythema Nodosum,also gall bladder causing gallstones.

Treatment depends on it's severity:

1. Steroids, Aminosalicylates and Antibiotics
2. Immunosuppressant’s
3. Biological Medicines.
4. There are new biological medicines being developed showing promising results.

In severe cases when medication fails to work, surgical intervention might be the only answer. As this disease can be associated with nutritional deficiencies, psychological stress and emotional issues, complementary therapies can offer some help such as Laser medical acupuncture, Natural gut and microbiome restoration therapy, Nutritional therapy, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Mindful nutrition, mindful eating and other new therapies offered in our clinic.