Crohn’s disease or regional enteritis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation in any part of the gastrointestinal tract starting from mouth to the anus. The effected part differs from person to person but the most common is the ileum or the last part of the small intestine. Crohn’s disease can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss or malnutrition. Some other complications like skin rashes, eye inflammation, arthritis, lack of concentration and tiredness are also associated with this disease. This painful disease can also be sometimes life-threatening. The causes, symptoms and risk factors of this debilitating disease are summarized below.
Causes of Crohn’s disease: The exact cause of this disease is still debatable before it was thought to be caused due to a bad diet or stressful situation. But, currently these factors are only considered to aggravate the condition and according to some doctors they are not the main cause behind this disease. Some other conditions are also related to this dreadful disease. Different studies have been conducted on this and the recent researches have shown that it is caused by a malfunctioning immune system or hereditary factors.
Immune system: Whenever there is a bacterial or viral infection in your body, then your immune system starts defending it. But sometimes there might be some abnormal response where the immune system attacks the cells of the digestive tract and lead’s to Crohn’s disease.
Heredity: According to some experts, in some case, a family history of Crohn’s disease or one or more genes may cause this disease. But, all the patients suffering from this disease do not have a family record of this dreaded disease.
Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease: In some cases the signs and symptoms of this disease may develop slowly and gradually whereas in some others it may crop up suddenly. The most common signs and symptoms are as follows:
Diarrhea: Large amounts of salt and water are secreted from the area of your intestine in which inflammation occurs. This extra fluid cannot be totally absorbed by the colon and so it leads to diarrhea. Moreover severe intestinal cramps can also result in the formation of loose stools.
Abdominal pain and cramping: The ulceration and inflammation in the walls of your lower intestine or rectum may cause swelling, thickening and production of scar tissues which may result in abnormal movement of the contents via your digestive system. This may be the cause of abdominal pain and cramping. In mild forms of the disease the pain is moderate whereas in severe cases the pain is severe and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Blood in your stool: The inflammation can cause the tissues of the intestine to bleed which is passed on in the form of bright red blood through your anus or is mixed with your stool and passed out. Sometimes there may also be occult bleeding which cannot be seen.
Ulcers: Small sores sometimes develop on the surface of the intestine which leads to larger deep-rooted ulcers. These ulcers sometimes also occur in the mouth.
Reduced appetite and weight loss: The inflammation, abdominal pain and cramping, may reduce your appetite, digestive ability and absorption; which leads to subsequent loss in the weight.
Some other signs and symptoms experienced by people suffering from severe Crohn’s disease are fever, fatigue, mouth sores, eye inflammation, arthritis, skin problems, liver or bile duct inflammation and delayed growth or sexual development in children.
Risk factors of Crohn’s disease:
Age: Crohn’s disease mostly occurs in younger people. Generally, most of the people suffering from this disease are first diagnosed when they are below 30 years of age.
Ethnicity: The whites are generally prone to this disease but the Eastern European or Jewish people are at the highest risk.
Family history: If any of your parents, sibling or children is suffering from Crohn’s disease, then you are at a higher risk of acquiring this disease. This disease is believed to be hereditary.
Cigarette smoking: Smoking can increase the severity of this disease but it is a controllable risk factor.
Where you live: The place of your living is also an important factor. People living in an industrial or urban area are more prone to Crohn’s disease. It may be due to environmental and lifestyle factors like a high-fat diet or intake of more refined food items etc. It is further noticed that people residing in northern climates are more susceptible to Crohn’s disease.
Thus, if you come under any of the risk factors and experience any of the signs or symptoms, then consult your doctor immediately because it is a question of your precious life.
