Crohn’s disease is a progressive disease of the gastro-intestinal tract that is considered an autoimmune disorder. It’s related to ulcerative colitis in that they both involve heavy inflammation of the GI tract, but where ulcerative colitis always targets the colon, Crohn’s disease can target any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus. Typically, Crohn’s disease only affects areas of the large intestine. Because Crohn’s disease is most commonly associated with the large intestine, the most common symptoms are diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal pain and cramping. (more…)
Written by Nancy Blackett on December 9th, 2009 with 2 comments.
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by Angkoon Anuwong
Crohn’s disease is a bowel disorder. It involves inflammation of the area and is inoperable. As a consequence, it can be quite a difficult disorder to live with, along with its many symptoms. This disease has a tendency to effect the quality of life of those who suffer with it, which is why they usually search for Crohn’s disease treatment. There are a certain number of conventional treatments available for the disease, though many sufferers find that they do not work for them, searching instead for alternative treatments.
Before any Crohn’s disease treatment is advised, the patient will firstly be looked at closely ” including their individual symptoms and the severity. In the earlier stages of treatment, an anti-diarrhea type medication such as Imodium A-D or other over the counter remedies are recommended for the treatment of the disease. Sufferers may also need to see a gastroenterologist who will recommend Corticosteroids or Aminosalicycaltes for symptoms that are moderate to mild. However, if all of these treatments remain ineffective or the symptoms still remain even after taking the drugs then the patient may be prescribed medication that can curb the immune system.
Unfortunately, traditional anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen, cannot be used by those with Crohn’s. Medications such as these will often exaggerate the symptoms and cause more to appear. This is why corticosteroids are often prescribed. However, even these kind of steroids cannot be used for the long term as there is possibility of addiction to the steroid, as well as the fact that they become ineffective over time. Not only this but they may cause a number of serious side effects including high blood pressure, osteoporosis and the risk of infection.
If the treatment used for Crohn’s disease is based on medicine to suppress the immune system then this will also come with an increased risk of infection. It simply leaves the immune system in a poor position when it comes to being able to fight off infection. It can even mean that those using the drugs will have an increased risk of developing cancer ” where the body is left unable to destroy cancer cells.
When symptoms experienced by sufferers of Crohn’s disease are particularly extreme then the gastroenterologist may even recommend surgery that removes affected parts of the bowel. Though this will reduce symptoms, many sufferers of the disease choose not to go with this treatment.
One way to avoid the side effects listed with the above treatments is to go for natural ways to treat Crohn’s disease. One of the most popular options is with Aloe. This can work as an anti-inflammatory, but does not come with the risks of traditional anti-inflammatories. It does not obstruct the immune system and therefore is a lot healthier for the sufferer.
Before choosing any of these Crohn’s disease treatments it is important to seek advice from a gastroenterologist.
Written by Angkoon Anuwong on December 8th, 2009 with no comments.
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