Crohn’s Disease is one of a variety of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBDs, which manifest with symptoms of inflammation to the intestines, the anus, the mouth, and also the gastrointestinal tract.  The disorder is thought to have genetic components regarding causes and origins, and evidence supports the idea that the condition is partly hereditary.  Crohn’s Disease differs from conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis because in addition to it being an IBS, it is also known as an autoimmune disease, which is characterized by the body’s immune system attacking itself, in this particular case, the gastrointestinal tract.

Crohn’s Disease was named after an American specialist named Burrill Bernard Crohn, in 1932.  It typically presents during adolescence or early adulthood, but can also develop in older individuals ranging in age from between the fifties to the seventies.  Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, loose stool, nausea, vomiting, and, or, weight loss.  In some cases, the disorder can also generate symptoms such as arthritis, skin lesions, irritation and inflammation of the eye, or arthritis.  Like other IBSs, there is no outright cure, but rather a set of treatments and strategies, some of which are preventative, others of which strive to maintain remission, but whose ultimate objective is to control the various symptoms.

Crohn’s Disease in children has very specific indicators, which are mainly distinguished by a failure to achieve growth.  In this population diagnoses are frequently made when growth retardation has been demonstrated.  Amongst older individuals, a lack of appetite in addition to weight loss and the symptoms previously noted is a common indicator the disorder is present.  In addition to the gastrointestinal symptoms, Crohn’s Disease can also show symptoms affecting the skin, the blood, and also the endocrine system, which is the body’s glandular apparatus responsible for monitoring hormonal balance.  Symptoms that target the skin tend to be red or pink lesions on the shins, and results from inflammation occurring in what is known as the subcutaneous tissue, or tissue that resides directly underneath one’s outer layer of skin.  In rarer cases the disorder can cause complications which include intestinal obstruction, where passing stool becomes difficult or impossible, abscesses, or what is called fistulae, which is an abnormal connection in the body between tissues that is not meant to be linked.  Other, more serious risks, can include an increased vulnerability to developing cancer in the region that is inflamed.

Crohn’s Disease diagnoses at times are problematic because symptomatically the disorder can closely resemble Ulcerative Colitis, and typically a number of tests may be required to distinguish one from the other, and to determine the exact nature of one’s ailment.  Although complete eradication of the disease is not possible, following a medication regiment and making alterations to one’s lifestyle are prescribed modes of remedying the disorder.  Medications include antibiotics to treat secondary infections, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aminosalicylates and Corticosteroids.  Other drugs that are employed to treat symptoms include prednisone and aminosalicylates, while in other cases immunosuppressive drugs are required to maintain a state of remission.

Crohn’s Disease also demands certain lifestyle changes, which include dietary alterations, restricting use of tobacco, and maintaining adequate hydration.  Exercising, maintaining proper weight and a balanced diet, eating smaller meals frequently as opposed to large meals sporadically, and combating fatigue by ensuring one is rested are also measures commonly prescribed to assist with both prevention and resolution of symptoms.  Whatever course is decided upon, it is imperative to acquire the proper information to assist making the best possible decision.  Communicating with one’s physician is paramount to helping resolve symptoms and achieve long-term relief from Crohn’s disease.

References

[i] Cited from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease, taken from, Daly, Mark J.; Jeffrey C Barrett, Sarah Hansoul, Dan L Nicolae, Judy H Cho, Richard H Duerr, John D Rioux, Steven R Brant, Mark S Silverberg, Kent D Taylor, M Michael Barmada, Alain Bitton, Themistocles Dassopoulos, Lisa Wu Datta, Todd Green, Anne M Griffiths, Emily O Kistner, Michael T Murtha, Miguel D Regueiro, Jerome I Rotter, L Philip Schumm, A Hillary Steinhart, Stephan R Targan, Ramnik J Xavier, the NIDDK IBD Genetics Consortium, Cécile Libioulle, Cynthia Sandor, Mark Lathrop, Jacques Belaiche, Olivier Dewit, Ivo Gut, Simon Heath, Debby Laukens, Myriam Mni, Paul Rutgeerts, André Van Gossum, Diana Zelenika, Denis Franchimont, Jean-Pierre Hugot, Martine de Vos, Severine Vermeire, Edouard Louis, the Belgian-French IBD Consortium, the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, Lon R Cardon, Carl A Anderson, Hazel Drummond, Elaine Nimmo, Tariq Ahmad, Natalie J Prescott, Clive M Onnie, Sheila A Fisher, Jonathan Marchini, Jilur Ghori, Suzannah Bumpstead, Rhian Gwilliam, Mark Tremelling, Panos Deloukas, John Mansfield, Derek Jewell, Jack Satsangi, Christopher G Mathew, Miles Parkes, Michel Georges (2008). “Genome-wide association defines more than 30 distinct susceptibility loci for Crohn’s disease“. Nature Genetics 40: 955-962. 

[ii] National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

[iii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease

[iv] Bernstein, Charles N. (2006). The Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: A Population-Based Study. 101. pp. 1559–68. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00603.x. PMID 16863561.

[v] National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

[vi] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease, Beattie, R.M.; N. M. Croft, J. M. Fell, N. A. Afzal and R. B. Heuschkel (2006). “Inflammatory bowel disease”. Archives of Disease in Childhood 91 (5): 426–32.

[vii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_system

[viii] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease – Ekbom A, Helmick C, Zack M, Adami H (1990). “Increased risk of large-bowel cancer in Crohn’s disease with colonic involvement“. Lancet 336 (8711): 357–9. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(90)91889-I. PMID 1975343.

[ix] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease

[x] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crohn’s_disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is today one of the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders amongst adults in the United States.  It is typically associated with symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and constipation.  Although it is unclear exactly how and why the condition of Irritable Bowl Syndrome develops, it is nonetheless defined by specific symptoms and characteristics that in turn are amenable to a variety of treatment remedies.  One of the most frequent prescriptions for dealing with the disorder is to learn stress management.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome’s symptoms, unlike the symptoms that attend Ulcerative Colitis, can be alleviated in part by learning to better cope with the daily exigencies and rigors which commonly precipitate anxiety and stress.  It is not entirely clear what mechanism stress management affects, or even if there is a causal link between poor stress management and the development of the condition; however, because evidence seems to support the theory that undo stress impacts the overall severity of the condition, physicians routinely advise their patients to conduct a multi-pronged approach for treatment that should include strategies aimed at improving stress management.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers show a marked predisposition to suffering from emotional or psychiatric disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Depression.  As stated previously, whether or not this link is causal, or merely a symptomatic response to the body’s inability to cope with emotional stress, remains obscure.  However, the theories propounded explaining this association include:

a) Sufferers of Irritable Bowl Syndrome  show greater sensitivity to emotional crises and appear to be more susceptible to anxiety or depression.

b) A secondary symptom of high-stress is a heightened awareness of physical discomfort, which includes greater sensitivity to symptoms such as colon spasms .

c) Because stress affects the immune system, Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be activated by a compromised immune system.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome responds well to a variety of exercises, including relaxation techniques, which can be learned from, and practiced with, a professional, performed alone or with a partner, and involve using techniques such as deep breathing and guided or non-guided visualization, in which a tranquil situation or scene is conjured in the mind and then explored.  Since stress is frequently an outgrowth of lifestyle, it is often advised to integrate into one’s life style activities that are set apart from one’s daily schedule and that will generate calm and contentment.  For example, doctors will advise sufferers to explore activities such as hiking or meditating or yoga, or suggest finding a hobby that promotes a sense of well being.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome also appears to respond favorably to medications, some of which are psychiatric in nature, and include anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants, others which directly treat symptoms such as bloating or cramping.  Traditional therapy too can assist one to better cope with stress, which in turn can help to alleviate symptoms.  Clinical therapeutic modalities associated with reduction of IBS symptoms include Behavioral therapy, which seeks to curb certain destructive tendencies or behavior patterns, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which seeks to make the individual conscientious of thought patterns or behaviors that reinforce negative aspects or self-images one has developed over time.  Other alternative modes include biofeedback and hypnosis, although the evidence supporting efficacy for these remedies is still largely circumstantial.  There is, of course, no one treatment plan that will work for all people, and since the disorder affects and manifests differently for each individual, care should be taken to create a regiment that fully addresses one’s specific situation.  In the event one is suffering from the disorder, it is imperative to remain open to all of the treatment possibilities at one’s disposal and thus ensure a comprehensive plan is implemented to address their case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

written by David Gilbert

© Hemorrhoid Information Center 2009

Ulcerative Colitis is a condition in which the lining of the colon develop ulcers, or sores, which in turn generate rectal inflammation and a variety of painful symptoms.  The condition is one of what are known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBSs, and is typically caused when swelling in the rectal area has become severe enough to have destroyed the cells that line the walls of the colon, eventually producing bleeding, prolonged diarrhea, or the presence of pus or blood in the diarrhea or the stool.

Ulcerative Colitis typically manifests in individuals who range in age from their mid-teens to their early thirties.  In less frequent cases, it can also manifest in people who are in their fifties, in their sixties, and even in their seventies.  It does not seem to favor men over women and is thought to be hereditary, passing from one generation to the next.  As noted, the most common symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are abdominal pain or diarrhea in which blood or pus is evident.  However, in addition to these universal symptoms, other symptoms can include fatigue and anemia, rectal bleeding, abrasions on the skin, soreness in the joints, as well as both appetite loss and weight loss.  Approximately fifty percent of individuals diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis report relatively mild symptoms, while the other fifty percent experience more severe symptoms, including severe abdominal cramping, nausea and fevers.  Although there is no conclusive data yet to support the hypothesis, these more severe symptoms are thought to be the result of immunological failure in the patient.

Ulcerative Colitis’s exact cause or causes as yet remains obscure, although researchers conclusively assert that, unlike Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is not typically excited by, or the result of, certain dietary habits, foods, spices, or poor stress management.  There are several theories proposed why the condition occurs, one of which is outstanding peculiarities in the immune system, which involves the body responding in an abnormal fashion to the bacteria commonly found in the intestines that is responsible for breaking down foods for digestion.  This is supported by the apparent correlation between immunological abnormalities and the presence of the disease.  Another theory, complimentary to the first, is heredity; the fact that the condition appears to run in families, therefore indicating genetic predisposition as a causal factor. Ulcerative Colitis is diagnosed through a series of tests, which seek confirmation of conditions that in turn indicate the presence of the disorder.  For example, one’s physician will test for anemia, which, if present, might indicate that bleeding in the rectum is occurring.  In the event anemia is present, tests will then be performed to determine the exact state of one’s anemic condition, specifically testing for an elevated white blood cell count, which indicates the presence of an infection in the body or the presence of inflammation.  Stool samples might also be collected, which can reveal if bleeding is present in the colon as well as allow for one’s physician to rule out the presence of bacterial infection, or the presence of parasites.

Ulcerative Colitis is detected with the greatest accuracy if one undergoes either a colonoscopy or what is known as a sigmoidoscopy, both of which involve the doctor inserting a tool called an endoscope (a long camera that is attached to a monitoring device) into the anus, which then reveals if bleeding, inflammation, or sores on the walls of the anal canal are present.  If necessary, material from the anus in the form of tissue might be collected and later biopsied to ensure that colon cancer is not developing.

Ulcerative Colitis affects people differently, depending on a variety of considerations, including one’s individual health and their particular hereditary factors.  Because no two cases are identical, no two treatments can be exactly alike.  However, because there are also consistent similarities both causally and symptomatically, treatments follow fairly standard procedures.  Drug treatments are often prescribed to address the attendant symptoms mentioned previously, and in rarer cases that are more severe, surgery might be recommended.  The three drugs that are commonly prescribed to help alleviate symptoms are 1) Aminosalicylates, 2) Corticosteroids, and 3) Immunomodulators.  If one does not respond to drug therapy, or if the side-effects produced by the medications become intolerable or further compromise one’s health, surgery or hospitalization may be advised.  For example, in the event one experiences heavy bleeding or chronic diarrhea that is severe enough to generate dehydration, it might become necessary to be hospitalized, during which time doctors will replenish bodily fluids, or, if necessary, recommend a procedure to counter the loss of blood.

Ulcerative Colitis is one of the most common IBSs diagnosed today in the United States, and because of this, there is substantial information and a variety of Colitis treatment options available.  Current research focuses on the various factors that operate on the immune system, in what ways the immune system is either compromised or activated, the ways in which the disorder impacts the colon, and which treatments best foster rectal healing.  It is imperative one remains informed to make the most effective and comprehensive decision possible, which will enable them to successfully treat and prevent a worsening or continuation of Ulcerative Colitis.

David Gilbert received his BA from U.C.L.A. He is currently doing graduate work in psychology at California Graduate Institute, in Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his career in the mental health field he has worked clinically with several populations, and also contributed to academic works whose topics address both health and mental health issues.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – H.I.C ©

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, affects approximately twenty to twenty-five percent of the adult population in the United States.  It is amongst the most prevalent disorders diagnosed by physicians, and typically targets both men and women thirty-five to forty years of age.  IBS is distinguished most commonly by symptoms of diarrhea, constipation and bloating, in addition to cramping and abdominal pain.  Although the symptoms are often distinctly uncomfortable, and occasionally painful, the disorder is not known to generate long-term damage to the intestines or foster more serious diseases like cancer.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome’s symptoms are usually manageable if one adheres to a proper diet, learns to effectively process and manage their stress, and follows both the treatment plan and medication regiment set out by their doctor.  In rare cases, however, IBS symptoms can become so pronounced that the sufferer becomes incapacitated.  In such extreme cases, even what are regarded typically as low-stress activities, such as travel, vacationing, or attending social occasions, become impossible.  Although IBS commonly follows a fairly predicable set of symptoms, the disorder manifests differently depending on the individual and their specific circumstances.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause constipation or what is refereed to as interrupted bowel movements, in which one produces bowel movements with either no regularity, or in a manner that demonstrates regularity has been interrupted.  Individuals who suffer from constipation also report experiencing extreme cramping when trying to produce a bowel movement, and often complain that they are either unable to make a bowel movement, or that what they produce is minimal and that they are left feeling bloated.  The symptoms can vary regarding duration and severity, and it is not uncommon for symptoms to worsen, disappear, and then return after a period of time, typically worsening with each cycle. Other symptoms that may arise are spasms in the colon, which can also result in complete interruption of what is referred to as peristalsis, in addition to changes in the colon’s lining, which indicates that changes to one’s immune system have taken place; in this latter scenario the colon’s fluid regulation has been impacted, resulting in production of stool that is either too wet, causing diarrhea, or desiccated, which results in constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms that a physician will look for specifically are: prolonged bouts of abdominal pain for durations of twelve to fourteen weeks during any annual period; abdominal pain that is distinguished by the following traits: a) the pain is alleviated when a bowel movement is produced, b) when symptoms commence, one experiences alterations in the frequency bowel movements are made, and c) alterations in the appearance of one’s stool.  Other symptoms doctors look for are the presence of mucus in the stool, or the sensation of having to make a bowel movement with associated feelings of urgency, as well as bloating. IBS, it should be noted, is not associated with symptoms such as fever or bleeding, and in the event these symptoms are present, in addition to symptoms such as weight loss or severe, sharp pain, one should immediately consult their physician.  Incidentally, research seems to indicate that in women there is a worsening of symptoms during periods of menstruation, which tentatively supports the notion that reproductive, hormonal fluctuations are causal factors in IBS symptoms.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome’s causes remain obscure.  There are several theories as to what generates the disorder, but as yet no conclusive data why.  One theory propounds that IBS is caused by sensitivity in the colon or large intestine to specific foods, which is why physicians will almost always request their patients alter their dietary habits, while another theory holds that IBS is the body’s reaction to being exposed to undo stress.  It is also theorized that a weakened immune system, which is the body’s first defense against disease, may be a contributing factor.  As such, prescribing treatments are usually multi-pronged in their approach.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is frequently amenable to lifestyle changes that start with making modifications to one’s diet.  For example, restricting or eliminating foods that contain caffeine, or that are high in sugar, can help generate relief, as is the elimination of certain dairy products and liquor.  Reducing one’s intake of vegetables that are known to cause gas or bloating, such as beans or cauliflower, can also help to relieve symptoms.  Consuming adequate amounts of both fiber and water can assist reliving symptoms of constipation, while striving to reduce one’s stress, through meditation or exercise, can also help to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatments will always take into account one’s specific dietary, health, and life style considerations, therefore, no two treatments will be exactly alike.  Many of the remedies employed can be regarded as both interventions and preventative, and will usually involve alterations to one’s lifestyle.  Increasing one’s daily exercise regime is a factor that can be explored, as is the use of various medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, and drugs that specifically treat the symptoms of cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.  Because no single intervention is appropriate for all people, it is important to consult with your physician or healthcare provider to determine what course of action best fits your lifestyle and your needs.  Understanding the importance of controlling one’s stress is another factor that should be considered to round out one’s treatment plan.  Being mindful is imperative, and understanding that one’s actions will impact one’s recovery is paramount.  Ultimately, information and prevention are pivotal criteria to achieving and maintaining long-term treatment and resolution of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

David Gilbert received his BA from U.C.L.A. He is currently doing graduate work in psychology at California Graduate Institute, in Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his career in the mental health field he has worked clinically with several populations, and also contributed to academic works whose topics address both health and mental health issues.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – H.I.C ©