Crohn's

Crohn's disease is a disease in which inflammation damages the intestines (inflammatory bowel disease). This disease typically begins between 15 and 30 years old.

Nobody knows for sure what triggers the initial intestinal inflammation of Crohn's disease. It is believed that the disease process might start with a bacterial or viral infection which activates the immune system in a persistent manner, causing inflammation even after the infection has been eliminated.

Certain genes that pass from parents to children can increase the risk of a person developing a Crohn's disease in the presence of the factor triggering appropriate.

Once started, Crohn's disease may cause symptoms for life, evolving through periods of exacerbation and remission. The mucosa or lining and deeper layers of the intestinal wall become inflamed with irritation and increased thickness erosion in some areas. This process leads to the emergence of ulcers, fissures and cracks, and inflammation may also lead to the appearance of abscesses (pus bags) or stenosis (narrowing intestinal areas).

Fistulas, which are a common complication of Crohn's disease are abnormal connections between organs of the digestive system, usually between two parts of the intestine. Fistulas may arise after the inflammation has become very sharp and penetrating deep, reaching to the wall of adjacent organs.

The terminal region of the small intestine, called the ileum, is particularly prone to be damaged by Crohn's disease. The ileum is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. However, ulcers and inflammation can occur in all areas of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Some other areas of the body such as eyes and joints may also be affected by Crohn's disease.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent Crohn's disease.

Nevertheless, the patient can prevent the disease causes substantial damage to his body. Maintain a nutritious and balanced diet for storing vitamins and nutrients between episodes or exacerbations. Thus, they can be reduced to malnutrition associated complications, such as loss of weight and anemia.

The patient should also quit smoking.

When in the context of Crohn's disease inflamed area is the large intestine may be increased risk of colon cancer and the patient should be regularly monitored in order to identify the presence of abnormal precancerous or cancerous. If Crohn's disease has affected the entire colon eight years or longer (or, where more localized disease, twelve to fifteen years or more), the patient should start to perform colonoscopy regular intervals of one to two years.

Treatment

The drugs, most of which acts to reduce intestinal inflammation are very effective in improving the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

One group of anti-inflammatory aminosalicylates is usually experienced called first. Aminosalicylates are chemically related to aspirin and suppress inflammation in the gut and joints. These drugs are administered in the form of tablets (oral) or enemas (rectal).

Certain antibiotics help to kill bacteria irritated areas of the colon and may also decrease inflammation.

Antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide, may be useful if the patient has diarrhea but not infection.

Other anti-inflammatory drugs more potent as corticosteroids may be useful, but can also depress the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. For this reason, these drugs are frequently not used in the long term.

The drugs most recently approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) such as infliximab and adalimumab. These drugs block the effect of TNF, a substance produced by cells of the immune system that causes inflammation. The TNF inhibitors can have potentially serious side effects so that, in general, these drugs are prescribed only for the condition of moderate to severe Crohn which is not responding to other treatments.

Surgery to remove a segment of intestine is another possible treatment. In general, surgery is only recommended if there is:

• Obstruction of the bowel

• Symptomatology persistent despite medical therapy

• A fistula that does not heal.