What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is one of the more volatile of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, (IBD). So similar is it to another IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, until doctors have difficulty sometimes distinguishing between the two.

A key symptom is bloody diarrhea. Blood loss can lead to anemia and malnourishment. In children can stunt their mental and physical development, to say nothing of the distress it puts on the parents to witness their child's suffering.

Crohn's disease can cause severe swelling and inflammation deep, through several layers in fact, of the intestinal wall. It can be painful enough to force intestines to expel waste material prematurely in the form of loose stools or diarrhea. It commonly affects the intestines, but it can also affect other areas along the digestive tract including the mouth and throat. In some cases, non-consecutive segments of the digestive tract can be diseased leaving adjacent segments in perfect condition.

Symptoms of Crohn's Disease

Symptoms of Crohn's disease include abdominal pain along the right side and diarrhea, and possibly weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, fever and rectal bleeding which in excess could also lead to anemia.

Treatments for Crohn's Disease

Doctors generally suggest surgery at least once to remove affected areas. The problem is that it's not a sure fix. And in some cases the problem recurs in those areas that were previously unaffected. People with this disease sometimes have multiple surgeries in an effort to relieve the symptoms of Crohn's Disease.

Addressing the root cause of the disease is a better plan than the invasive practices only to relieve the symptoms of Crohn's Disease. Regular colon cleansing and addition of soil based Probiotics can often give the colon time to repair itself, without need of surgery.

Populations at Risk

Most often Crohn's disease is diagnosed in people aged 20 to 30 years old. Often times, it occurs in more than one family member, leading scientists to believe that genetics plays a part. People with Jewish heritage seem to be at greater risk of having this disease manifest, while African Americans show decreased risk.