What is Crohn's disease? Know its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

2022-03-17 12:43:48

Due to the hustle and bustle of life, all of us are unable to pay attention to our health and especially the things we eat due to which many types of stomach related diseases arise in the body. One of these diseases is Crohn's disease which can enter the body with abdominal pain, bloating, burning, diarrhoea, or other symptoms described in this blog. Therefore, correct information must be kept about this disease. Through this blog, we’ll know the causes, symptoms and what changes can be made in lifestyle to avoid it.

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory bowel disease that is counted in the category of chronic disease. This disease causes swelling and redness in the lining of the digestive tract. This disease affects the digestive tract of a person with swelling and irritation. Apart from this, this inflammation can affect any part of the digestive system (from the mouth to the anus). It usually affects the small intestine (ileum) or large intestine (colon).

The digestive system is the part of the body that works to digest food. This includes the mouth, stomach, and intestines. If the digestive system is functioning normally, the body's immune system kills germs and bad cells but instead of killing the cells if the body's immune system starts attacking the healthy cells, so it is called an autoimmune response, this is what causes Crohn's disease. In this disease, the bad cells attack the thin lining of the digestive system that causes internal inflammation. Along with this, there may also be wounds i.e., ulcers and bleeding.

How common is this disease?

Crohn's disease can affect men and women or people of any age. This disease is mostly seen in people between the ages of 15 to 35 but by controlling its causes, this disease can be got rid of.

Symptoms of Crohn's disease

There are many symptoms of Crohn's disease but not all symptoms are spotted in only one person. It is seen differently in people which are as follows-

• Pain and swelling in the intestine.
• Ulcer in the intestines.
• Loss of appetite.
• Burning in chest.
• To be constipated.
• Blood in stool.
• Feeling more tired.
• Anaemia (lack of blood in the body) disease.
• Weight loss.
• Abdominal distention even after defecation.
• Feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
• Abdominal cramps or pain.
• Blisters in the mouth.
• To be upset.
• Acne and pimples on the skin.
• Flatulence or diarrhoea.
• Failure of the child to develop.
• Inflammation of the bile ducts.
• Arthritis, joint pain.

Causes of Crohn's disease

There can be many reasons behind having Crohn's disease. The exact reason for which is not yet known but a weak immune system, viruses, and bacteria is the main reason. It is a type of immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its gut, leading to swelling, pain, etc. Apart from this, the problem of having Crohn's disease is mainly related to our lifestyle and diet such as-

• Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking.
• Not consuming fibre-rich food.
• Consuming fewer fluids.
• Eating more sweet and fatty food.
• Not eating food at the right time.
• Consuming extra oily and spicy food.
• Overuse of aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Lack of physical labour.
• Taking more health supplements medicines.
• Heredity (familial disease-related) factors- If a parent, sibling or other family members already has Crohn's disease, there are high chances of developing this disease in other members.

Lifestyle changes and Home remedies for Crohn's disease

• Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Eat more fibre-rich foods such as legumes and whole grains.
• Instead of eating two or three large meals, eat five or six small meals in small quantities.
• Avoid eating foods that make symptoms worse.
• Drink a sufficient amount of water daily.
• Reduce intake of tea, coffee, smoking etc.
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• Avoid consumption of fried and junk food.
• Chew the food properly.
• Do not drink water while eating.
• Do not lie down immediately after a meal.
• Walk and exercise regularly in the morning.

Tests for Crohn's disease

• Blood test.
• Stool test.
• X-ray.
• CT scan and MRI scan.

When to go to the doctor?

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately-

• Persistent pain in the stomach.
• Bleeding in stools.
• Fever persists for more than a day or two.
• Rapid weight loss etc.