Crohns disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, the general name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines.
Because the symptoms of Crohns disease are alike to other intestinal disorders, such as bad-tempered bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be hard to diagnose.
Ulcerative colitis causes irritation and ulcers in the top coating of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohns disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.
Crohns disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohns disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child.
Crohns disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.
People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohns disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohns disease.
Causes of Crohn's Disease
Researchers have not yet identified the cause of Crohn's disease, so it is described as an "idiopathic" disease.
It is known that inflammation is part of the body's immune response, and an immune response is usually triggered by something. But to date no specific "trigger" has been found to cause the inflammatory response seen in Crohn's disease.
There is some evidence that Crohn's disease has a genetic component. While there is no simple correlation from parent(s) to offspring, the disease tends to "run" in families.
Symptoms of Crohn's Disease
The severity and types of symptoms of Crohn's disease vary from person to person. Typical symptoms comprise diarrhea and abdominal pain, often in the inferior right section of the abdomen.
Rectal blood loss due to severe GI tract irritation or the development of ulcers may also occur. People with Crohn's disease may also experience skin problems, weight loss, arthritis, and fever.
Not all of the above symptoms are always related to Crohn's disease. Although abdominal pain and diarrhea are typical of Crohn's disease, they and other symptoms can be related to many other potentially serious conditions, including food poisoning, appendicitis, and pancreatitis.
Home Remedies for Crohn's Disease
The following herbal remedies are believed to be beneficial to Crohns sufferers, however only under strict guidance:
Gingko Biloba A natural remedy containing anti-oxidant ingredients known to be beneficial in protecting the gastrointestinal tract from the harmful effects of Crohns.
Green Tea Known to have anti-inflammatory properties, this product is popular because of its potential contribution to reducing the risk of cancer (a possible complication of Crohns).
Cats Claw Known to be used by those who live in the Amazon, cats claw is used to treat intestinal disorders.
Salai Guggal This Ayervedic herbal remedy has been likened to sulphasalazine a potent anti-inflammatory drug which is commonly prescribed to those suffering from ulcerative colitis (U.C). Crohns causes many similar symptoms to U.C therefore salai guggal has been introduced as a natural treatment for it.
Goldenseal This remedy discourages bacteria from adhering to the intestinal wall, thus protecting the gut from Crohns disease.
Aloe Vera Popular for its stool softening effect. For a person suffering from Crohns, the passing of soft stools can lessen the discomfort felt on the rectum during inflammatory periods.
