How to recognize and treat Crohn's disease

Also known as ileitis, Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the intestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, it most commonly at­tacks the colon and the lower part of the small intestine, or the ileum. Here are some tips on how to recognize and treat Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that may recur after lengthy periods of remission.

Common symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea.
Typically, diseased portions of the intestine are interspersed with normal segments; fistulas (abnormal passageways between portions of intestines) are common.
The diseased portions may become obstructed, an emergency situation.
There may also be weight loss, fever and intestinal bleeding persistent enough to cause anemia.
Children with Crohn's disease may suffer stunted growth and delayed sexual development.
Some scientists believe that the immune system is affected by a virus or a bacterium that triggers an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall.
Crohn's disease appears to run in families; about 20 percent of those who have the disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms can flare up in periods of unusual or prolonged stress, but stress doesn't appear to cause the disease.

Crohn's disease has no cure, but a combination of drugs usually alleviates symptoms.

• As in the case of colitis, 5-ASA agents are frontline therapy, with sulfasalazine being the most ­popular choice.
• When Crohn's flares up, prednisone is commonly used.
• Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as 6-mercaptopurine or the related azathioprine can also be effective. While these drugs do suppress the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation, they also increase the susceptibility to infection.
• If all these therapies fail to provide relief, in­fliximab (Remicade) has been approved as an intravenous treatment. This substance partially neutralizes the activity of a protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNF), which is thought to be responsible for the inflammation asso­ciated with Crohn's disease.
• Crohn's patients some­times suffer from bacterial overgrowth in the intestine, which requires the use of antibiotics.
• Surgery is often needed to correct complications, such as an intestinal blockage, perforation, and abscesses.
• Sometimes it is necessary to remove the diseased section of bowel; unfortunately, this does not prevent recurrences in other portions of the intestinal tract.

• Lean meat, fish, and poultry for the protein necessary for healing.
• Under a doctor's supervision, vitamin, mineral and other nutritional supplements.

• High-fibre foods, especially if the bowel is partially obstructed.

• Alcohol in any form.
• Any food that worsens symptoms.