Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a condition in which the lining of your digestive tract becomes inflamed, causing severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. The inflammation often spreads deep into the layers of affected tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complication.
Research for a Cure
Recent research in France has suggested that a shortage of the bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii may cause Crohn's disease by overstimulating the immune system. The researchers said that if ongoing animal trials prove successful, human patients could benefit from a probiotic treatment with F. prausnitzii. However, it was stated "It is too early to tell whether this will lead directly to a new treatment as other probiotics have tended to produce good results in animal studies only to prove disappointing in clinical trial in Crohn's disease."
Treatment
The goal of medical treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers your signs and symptoms. In the best cases, this may lead not only to symptom relief but also to long-term remission. Treatment for Crohn's disease usually involves drug therapy or, in certain cases, surgery.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
People with CD are often malnourished and studies indicate that as many as 70% to 80% of individuals with this condition experience significant weight loss. This may occur because gastrointestinal discomfort, pain, and nausea make it difficult to eat or because a badly damaged or surgically shortened bowel prevents adequate nutrient absorption and digestion. Some medications are also thought to reduce stores of certain nutrients and vitamins in the body. For example, sulfasalazine lowers absorption of folate and corticosteroids can reduce levels of calcium. Ensuring adequate nutrition is therefore a crucial part of CD treatment.
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