All you Need to Know About Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic medical condition that is known to cause inflammation in the digestive stack. It is a common inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s is quite painful and it can even be debilitating. Sometimes, it can be life-threatening. The good news is that the disease can be managed. By working with a reliable family medicine practitioner who has experience in managing Crohn’s disease in Santa Monica, CA, you can get your symptoms under control and consequently improve your quality of life. Below are some important things that you should know about Crohn’s disease.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
In some cases, the disease only affects the last segment of the ileum. In other cases, it is confined to the last part of the large intestines. Its symptoms vary in intensity from one case to another. In some cases, the symptoms can be mild, while in other cases, they can be severe. The disease often develops gradually, but also can occur suddenly and without any warning. Some of the most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Blood in stool
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Mouth sores
- Fever
In severe cases, patients may experience symptoms such as:
- Inflammation of joints, skin, and eyes
- Inflammation of bile ducts and the liver
- Delayed sexual development and growth in children
Causes of Crohn’s Disease
The cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown. In the past, researchers and practitioners suspected diet and stress. However, recent studies have shown that although these factors tend to aggravate the disease, they do not cause it. Some of the possible causes of Crohn’s disease include:
- Immune System: An abnormal immune response to some viral or bacterial attack may trigger Crohn’s disease
- Heredity: If there are close members of your family with Crohn’s disease, you may also be at risk of getting it.
Some of the risk factors that are associated with Crohn’s disease include:
- Age: The disease can occur at any age, but it is most likely to develop among people below the age of thirty.
- Race: Although the disease can affect people of all races, it is more common among whites compared to other races.
- Family History: if you have close relatives with the disease, you might be at a higher risk of developing it
- Environment: if you live in an industrialized country or an urban area, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Treatment and Management of Crohn’s Disease
Once you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, there are several ways in which it can be treated. However, there is no one method of treatment that works for everyone. Some of the treatment options available include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids
- Immune system suppressors
- Medical marijuana
- Antibiotics
- Nutritional therapy
- Surgery
If you are looking for a reliable family medicine practitioner to help you manage Crohn’s disease, GreenBridge Medical is an excellent family care facility to consider. Feel free to contact them today for more information about their treatments for Crohn’s disease.
