What is Crohn's? (IBD)

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Although it can involve any area of theA tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. The majority of the cases are where the small intestine meets the larger intestine (lower right side of your belly button).

The disease is named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, Dr. Crohn and some of his colleagues published a paper describing the features of what is today known as Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s and a related disease, ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease, better known as IBD.

Let me tell you that last I read, almost over aA million Americans, and over 200,000 Canadians have Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are similar ?_” so similar that they’re often mistaken for one another. Both inflame the lining of your digestive tract, and both can cause abdominal pain. But Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in your digestive tract, often spreading deep into the layers of affected tissues. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine.

Crohn’s disease can strike at any age, but most people are diagnosed betweenA 15 and 35. Although whites have the highest risk of the disease, it can strike any ethnic group. If you’re Jewish and/or of European descent, then you’reA several times as likely as other people are to have Crohn’s disease. You’re at a higher risk if you have a close relative, with the disease. It’s also said that people living in Northern climates also seem to have a greater risk of the disease.

There is no known cause or cure for IBD. Most people experience periods of remission and flare-ups of the disease, often requiring medication. In worst cases,A hospitalization or surgery may be required. Although IBD is found throughout the world, it seems to be more common in North America and northern Europe. Canada is believed to have one of the highest incidence rates of IBD in the world.

As I mentioned earlier, there’s no known medical cure for Crohn’s disease. However, therapies (and alternative medicine) are available that may reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission.

I have a special interest in IBD, IBS, and Crohn’s disease so I hope to bring some guidance to my readers here in my blog. (and no, I don’t have it!)

Tags: Health

Category: Lifestyle