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What causes Crohn's disease? Symptoms and Diet.
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This is a chronic
condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
Inflammation may cover any part of the digestive tract - from the mouth to the
anus, but most often happens in the last part of the small intestine (ileum)
and colon.
The most common symptoms include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- exhaustion
- weight loss
Over time, inflammation
can lead to damage to the digestive system, which in turn can lead to narrowing
of the colon. Patients suffering from Crohn's disease may not develop symptoms
(for weeks or even months). This condition is known as remission - a temporary
reduction or disappearance of the symptoms.
Less common symptoms are:
• high temperature of 38
degrees (fever)
• feeling sick (nausea,
vomiting)
• joint pain and
swelling (arthritis)
• inflammation and
irritation
• rashes
• blood and mucus in the
stool
5 factors causing Crohn's disease
Exact causes of this
disease are not known yet, but there is a combination of factors that may be
responsible:
1.Genetics - genes inherited from parents.
There is a vast amount
of facts showing that genetics play a significant role in the development of
Crohn's disease. They were identified 32 different specific genetic mutations
which are more common in people with Crohn's disease than in the general population.
There is also proof that this disease can be a hereditary defective.
Three of 20 people have close
relative who has suffered from Crohn's disease. Moreover, this disease may be
more prevalent in some ethnic groups, unlike others.
2.Imunne system - it may be responsible for inflammation of the
digestive system.
The immune system
provides protection from harmful bacteria that could potentially come into the
digestive system. She in turn, "hosts" 500 different bacteria that
help digest food. In Crohn's disease, it occurs a collapse of the immune
system, thereby it could be a send a special signal / agent to kill all
bacteria, no matter is it good or bad. So, it’s the reason for swelling of the
lining of the digestive system.
3.Infection, appeared earlier - it can provoke a breakthrough in the immune system.
In some genetically
susceptible individuals, who have had previous infections in childhood, may
develop Alzheimer's disease at a later stage of their life. Possible source of
this disease is the bacterium (Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis). It occurs in cows, sheep and goats. This can happen when
drinking milk from infected animals, but there is no precise evidence yet.
4.Environment - it can also provoke Crohn's disease.
According to some
sources, Crohn's is known as rich men’s disease.It occurs more often in the US
and UK, and less in Africa and Asia. It is assumed that children in rich
countries aren’t so often exposed to infections(as in poorer ones) and their
immune system is "frail" because of sterile and controlled
environment.
5.Smoking
-smokers usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers.
According to some
sources smoking is the major risk factor of the development of Crohn's disease.
When to seek medical help?
• Non stop diarrhea
• constant pain in
abdomen
• unexplained weightloss
• blood in stools
Crohn's disease - nutrition. Which foods to avoid?
Foods that should be
avoided are different for each person, but some of these foods may trigger the
symptoms:
• alcohol (beer, wine)
• oil, mayonnaise,
margarine, oils
• carbonated beverages
• coffee, tea, chocolate
• dairy products
• fatty foods (fried
foods)
• foods high in fiber
• legumes (lentils,
beans, legumes, cabbage, broccoli, onions)
• nuts and seeds (peanut
butter, other nut butters)
• raw fruits and raw
vegetables
• red meat and pork
• spicy foods, whole
grains
Experiment with
different types of foods to see which is best for you. You can experiment with
different preparations. Restricting certain foods can help control symptoms.
