What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It
primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large
intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the
anus. It is named after the physician who described the disease in 1932. It also
is called granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or
terminal ileitis.
Crohn's disease is related closely to another chronic inflammatory condition
that involves only the colon called ulcerative colitis. Together, Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have no medical cure. Once
the diseases begin, they tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity
(remission) and activity (relapse). They affect approximately 500,000 to 2
million people in the United States. Men and women are equally affected. IBD
most commonly begins during adolescence and early adulthood, but it also can
begin during childhood and later in life.
What Causes Crohn's Disease?
Several theories exist about what causes Crohn's disease, but none have been
proven. The human immune system is made from cells and different proteins that
protect people from infection. The most popular theory is that the body's immune
system reacts abnormally in people with Crohn's disease, mistaking bacteria,
foods, and other substances for being foreign. The immune system's response is
to attack these "invaders." During this process, white blood cells accumulate in
the lining of the intestines, producing chronic inflammation, which leads to
ulcerations and bowel injury.
Scientists do not know if the abnormality in the functioning of the immune
system in people with Crohn's disease is a cause, or a result, of the disease.
Research shows that the inflammation seen in the GI tract of people with Crohn's
disease involves several factors: the genes the patient has inherited, the
immune system itself, and the environment. Foreign substances, also referred to
as antigens, are found in the environment. One possible cause for inflammation
may be the body's reaction to these antigens, or that the antigens themselves
are the cause for the inflammation. Some scientists think that a protein
produced by the immune system, called anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF), may be a
possible cause for the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease.
The Symptoms of Crohn's Disease :
The symptoms of Crohn's disease depend on where in the intestinal tract the
disorder appears. When the ileum (ileitis) is involved, recurrent pain may be
experienced in the right lower abdomen. At times, the pain mimics acute
appendicitis. When the colon is the site, diarrhea (sometimes bloody) may occur,
along with fever and weight loss. Crohn's disease often affects the anal area
where there may be a draining sinus tract called a fistula.
Diet and Crohn's Disease :
Diet and nutrition is very important when one is suffering from Crohn's disease,
and should be considered in four separate roles :
* For reversing growth-failure in children
* Elemental diets as primary treatment for reducing disease activity
* As maintenance therapy on a long-term basis in the case of severe intestinal
failure or short-bowel syndrome.
* As important add-on treatment to medical therapies for maintaining nutrition
and correcting any nutritional deficiencies
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DIET IN CROHN'S DISEASE?
The role of diet and nutrition is very important in Crohn's disease and should
be considered in four separate roles:
" As important add-on treatment to medical therapies for maintaining nutrition
and correcting any nutritional deficiencies.
" Elemental diets as primary treatment for reducing disease activity.
" As maintenance therapy on a long-term basis in the case of severe intestinal
failure or short-bowel syndrome.
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