Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. Both inflame the lining of your digestive tract, and both can cause dirk Bouts of watery or bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Crohn's disease affects the deepest layers of the lining of the digestive tract, causing deep sores called ulcers. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. In the process, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation. These cells then generate harmful products that ultimately lead to ulcerations and bowel injury. In Crohn's disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and there can be normal healthy bowel in between patches of diseased bowel. There's no known medical cure for Crohn's disease. However, therapies are available that may greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease and even bring about a long-term remission. Causes of Crohn's Disease The common Causes of Crohn's Disease : People with a family history of ulcerative colitis (another inflammatory bowel disorder) also run a higher risk of getting the disease. Stress is thought to exacerbate the illness which can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. Most recent research has concentrated on mycobacteria. A diet low in fibre and high in chemicals is also suspected to have a role in the illness. Symptoms of Crohn's Disease Some Symptoms of Crohn's Disease : Crampy abdominal (belly area) pain Persistent, watery diarrhea Diarrhea. Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite. Treatment of Crohn's Disease Since there is frequently a bacterial infection along with Crohn's disease, antibiotics are often used to treat this problem. Two that are commonly used are ciprofloxacin (trade name: Cipro) and metronidazole (trade name: Flagyl). The anti-bacterial agent Metronidazole has been shown to be effective in treating lesions in the gut, but long-term use can lead to seizures. Other drugs which can be effective include sulfaslazine, immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea may be helped by medications, which often lessen the inflammation in the colon. More serious cases may require steroid drugs, antibiotics, or drugs that affect the body's immune system. A small number of patients, who temporarily need extra nutrition, may need periods of feeding by vein (intravenously). sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), Dipentum, Asacol, Rowasa, and Pentasa belong to a group of drugs called the 5-aminosalicylates. These drugs are most useful in maintaining a remission, once the disease is brought under control. They are most effective when the disease is present in the colon. These are available in oral and enema preparation.
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