A disease that can affect the entire digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms to keep under control. And foods to avoid
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the intestine that can affect the entire gastrointestinal path, from the mouth to the anus. Although in the majority of cases, Crohn’s disease affects the ileum, i.e., the last part of the small intestine and the colon.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is not hereditary or genetic, although a possible predisposition cannot be ruled out, and scientific studies are multiplying on this. Unfortunately, at the moment, the underlying causes of this pathology are not yet specific, and even a definitive cure with a relevant protocol has not yet been introduced. Thus, it remains a pathology that effectively affects the entire digestive system.
Causes
The only certainty about the causes of Crohn’s disease is a combination of triggering factors, including:
- The smoke
- The alteration of the intestinal bacterial flora and the immune system.
- Environmental factors, such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Family predisposition
Symptoms
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be obvious and very uncomfortable.
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Persistent fever
- Blood loss in the stool
- Liver, eye, skin, and joint complications
- Chronic fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosis
For a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to put together more information, such as the persistent presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, alterations in laboratory tests, such as anemia and elevated calprotectin (which signals the presence of intestinal inflammation), the outcome of a colonoscopy (which possibly also explores the last centimeters of the small intestine) with signs of inflammation and specific characteristics on histological examination. Furthermore, the diagnosis must be completed with other tests such as ultrasound of the intestinal loops or magnetic resonance imaging. If in doubt, microcapsule enteroscopy can also be used.
Care
Treatments for Crohn’s disease are necessary only for the active forms and involve limited duration cycles of cortisone and biological drugs, which act on defined targets of the immune system. For some years, therapies with chemically synthesized organic compounds, which have mechanisms similar to biological ones, have been available. Medical therapies work best in the initial stages of the disease, while if the lesion persists for a long time and becomes fibrotic, but only in this case, surgery may be required.
Prevention
The first form of prevention of Crohn’s disease consists of identifying the pathology at the first symptoms and then proceeding with blood and stool tests and a non-invasive examination of the abdomen. Then there is the fundamental role of diet. For those who do not have an active form of disease, it is not necessary to follow restrictive diets; correct eating habits are enough.
However, if symptoms are present, it is best to follow simple diets with easily digestible and minimally processed foods so as not to disturb an already inflamed intestine. If the disease has caused narrowing of the intestine, it is necessary to avoid fiber; therefore, cereals, whole foods, and some fruits such as apples, pears, and plums, especially if consumed with the peel.
In general, the more timely the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease are, when the first symptoms appear, the more targeted and effective the treatments can be. Thus making healing possible and avoiding surgery. The statistics, unfortunately, say the opposite: a study conducted in 103 centers in ten European countries showed that 54 percent of patients with Crohn’s disease in Italy need to be controlled effectively and promptly.
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