Causes and Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
December 12, 2009
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an intestinal disease that causes chronic inflammation of the intestine. It is also called terminal ileitis, ileitis, colitis or granulomatous enteritis. It may affect any part of intestine starting from mouth to anus. Commonly crohn’s disease affects the ileum which is the small intestine’s lower part. Male and female are equally prone to this disease and this disease may affect people of any age. It is mostly seen in blood relatives. This disease may remain inactive during certain period and may reappear after sometime. It causes ulceration or cracks on the lining of the intestine and it may also accompany swelling and severe pain.
Causes of Crohn’s Disease
The gastro intestinal tract is having a lining and the immune system will protect this lining from the invading harmful substances. But in people having crohn’s disease the immune system may work differently and will treat the food and beneficial substances as invaders. Then the immune system will attack these invaders. As a result the intestinal lining will have an accumulation of white blood cells which in turn produces the inflammation that leads to injury and ulceration. This abnormal activity of immune system is inherited from family members.
The shallow scattered cracks on the infected area become deep and large in time and become the real ulcers. This in turn may cause stiffness and scaring in the intestinal tract and in extreme cases the intestinal tract becomes narrow and may get blocked. There are even chances of developing holes in the intestinal tract which may cause several serious problems.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
There may be abdominal pain usually in the lower right side. It may also be accompanied with persistent diarrhea and the feces may be blood stained. Chances for having peri-rectal abscesses and anal fistulae are also there. Fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation and skin problems are also reported. The affected person may experience fatigue too. Joint pain, deep vein thrombosis, eye inflammation, swollen gums, liver inflammations are also seen in certain cases.
If you have a family history of crohn’s disease then take care to avoid the disease and if got any of these symptoms check it with your doctor. This may help you to control the disease with proper diet and medication.
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