Crohn’s disease is a short term for chronic inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but it most often refers to the back part of small intestine or colon. This disease can manifest at any age, with long periods of remission possible when there are no symptoms. The exact cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t known, but it is most commonly connected to infections, dysfunction of immune system and diet.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease
Considering the fact that Crohn’s disease can appear in any part of gastrointestinal tract, symptoms can differ the patient to patient.
Standard symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
- stomachache
- dhiarreha
- poor appetite and weight loss
Less frequent symptoms of Crohn’s disease:
- swelling
- feaver
- night sweats
- rectum pains
- rectal hemorrhages
- skin lesions
- joint pain
- anal fissures
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease depends on the location and severity of inflammation. Different sub-types of Crohn’s disease and their symptoms are:
- Crohn’s disease limited to colon – usual symptoms are stomach ache and diarrhea followed by bloody discharge. Appearance of anal fistula and perirectal abscess is possible.
- Crohn’s disease within small intestine – causes pains in stomach and diarrhea, problems with small intestine functioning are possible
- Crohn’s disease at the every end of small intestine – usually causes stomach ache and diarrhea, also there’s the danger of minor intenstinal obstructions
- Corhn’s disease spreading over small instenstine and colon – causes stomach ache and diarrhea followed by bloody discharge and minor intestinal obstructions.
Third of patients with Crohn’s diseases one or more of the following symptoms manifest in the area of colon:
- Swelling of the anal sphincter tissue
- Development of ulcers and fissures (abscesses) in the area of anal sphincter, which may lead to hemorrhaging
- Development of anal fistula (between anus or rectum and skin around anus)
- Development of perirectal abscess, which can cause high temperature and pain and sensitivity
Diet during Crohn’s disease
Stress and unhealthy diet further worsen the symptoms with Crohn’s disease, therefore the patients are advised a healthy diet adjusted to their individual needs. If you have Crohn’s disease, balanced diet can help you feel better and remove the symptoms while reducing the odds of development of coronary disease or certain types of cancer.
Those suffering from Crohn’s disease burn their fat more easily, so in the case of malnutrition increased intake of calories and proteins is recommended.
The following foods are suggested for the people suffering from Crohn’s disease:
- Food rich in proteins (fish, soy, processed and lean meats, dried peas, legumes)
- Calcium rich foods (fresh cow cheese, fish, avocado, bananas)
- Complex carbohydrates (whole grain cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables)
- Omega-3 fatty acids rich oils (flaxseed oil, olive oil, soy oil, fish oil, as well as oils obtained from seeds and walnuts)
- Probiotics – they can restore balance in the gut flora. Lactobacillus products and yoghurt with live cultures can facilitate the recuperation of the intestines.
- Large amounts of liquid (water, fruit teas, natural juices)
Many people suffering from Crohn’s disease have food intolerance, therefore it is advisable to perform an elimination diet as to ascertain which of the foodstuffs causes sensitivity.
People with Crohn’s disease are advised against:
- Saturated fats (animal and dairy products) – they worsen the inflammation of mucous membrane of small intestine during Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Dairy products – in the case of lactose intolerance. However, yoghurt with active live bacterial cultures are recommended
- Alcohol, spicy foods, simple sugars and caffeine – they can cause or worsen the inflammations
- Eggs, peanuts, tomatoes and other foods that can cause allergic reactions
- Foods based on wheat seed, barley, oats and other products containing corn or gluten
- Fruits with a high sugar content – pineapples, figs, watermelons, pears and similar fruits
- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale can irritate the inflamed mucous membrane and worsen the symptoms
- It is recommended to reduce the intake of high fibre food if there is bowel obstruction (nutty fruits, seeds, corn, popcorn and some vegetables).
- Moderation is advised with chocolate, cocoa, black tea, peppers, spinach, beets and parsley consumption
Treatment
Treatment of Crohn’s disease can include therapy my medicaments, surgical procedures or dietary supplements, as well as different combinations of these methods. As far as medicaments are concerned, corticosteroids are most often applied, then antibiotics, aminosalicilates and immunosupressors. Biological medication that aid the patients that didn’t react well to conventional treatments may be used. Dietary supplements include supplementation with vitamins. Surgery that removes parts of the intestine can inhibit the absorption of vitamins , fats and other essential micronutrients.