Some Options For Those With Crohn's Disease

If you suffer from Crohn's disease you know that this condition can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating. While the symptoms can vary from individual to individual, it typically includes pain in the midsection, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, weight loss or gain, and even other problems such as infections in the eye or skin rashes. The pain from Crohn's disease can interfere with one's life to the point where a sufferer can miss work and career opportunities and even in some extreme cases be bed or housebound.

Crohn's disease is usually considered an autoimmune disease and can actually affect any area of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. This is why symptoms are different for each sufferer and individual. Most doctors believe that it has genetic origins since it seems to run in families and appears to be inherent in many cases. Sibling with the disease are 30 times more likely to develop it than the normal population. Unfortunately there is no cure as of yet for Crohn's disease so doctors instead concentrate on controlling the symptoms and preventing relapses.

Many people with Crohn's disease have symptoms for years prior to the diagnosis by a doctor. The usual onset is between 15 and 30 years of age and between 50 and 70 years but it can occur at any age. Periods of flare-ups and periods of remission are quite common with this disease.

The scientific community believes that early childhood exposure to illness is necessary for the creation of a healthy immune system in adults. In other words children need to be exposed to minor illness in order for the immune system to combat the nastier diseases as adults. This disease is associated with clean living conditions and the disease is linked with the upper class of a countries population. Third World countries rarely have anyone with Chron’s disease despite the fact that it occurs in all races.

The most important thing any sufferer can do if they have Crohn's disease is to stop smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to get Crohn's disease. Smoking causes a great deal of irritation or damage to the digestive system and irritates the symptoms of Crohn's disease. The reason for this is that the poisons in nicotine are easily absorbed through the blood and because blood travels to every cell in the body, these poisons are then transported to the digestive system. The body uses the digestive system as a way to absorb vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other important nutrients and because of this absorption process, nicotine is pulled into the body through the digestive system and then sent to every part of the body.

It's also important to be careful of one's diet if you have Crohn's disease. While the condition itself is not caused by one's diet, eating certain foods can trigger an attack or the symptoms of the disease. High fiber foods can increase gas in one's system and irritate the disease, so you may want to avoid raw fruits and vegetables. To be sure you're getting the nutrition you need from these types of foods, have them steamed or as part of soups and stews. Spicy foods, dairy products, and citrus fruits also seem to irritate most people with Crohn's disease. It might be helpful in your case to start a food diary and keep track of what you eat and whether or not this causes flare-ups.

If your Crohn's disease does not seem to get better and is interfering with your everyday routine, it's time to talk to your doctor. He or she can recommend other treatment options such as certain anti-inflammatory medications. He or she can also be sure that you're getting the nutrition you need by recommending a supplement; in some extreme cases a patient may need intravenous nutrition or the services of a dietician.

This report is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.