Crohn's Disease And My Aching Gut

Crohn's disease attacks the digestive system and leaves its tell-tale imprint on the bowels of its victims. This inflammatory disease can leave patients with a painful gut and even unintentional weight loss. For those with severe Crohn's it can be totally life altering and debilitating. This is not an easy disease to manage but it certainly can be done.

No, we currently do not understand the true underlying reason for this wicked disease, but we do have a few hints in that some studies indicate that perhaps genetics are involved while other studies seem to hint at a connection between diet and life style. Other studies seem to point to problems with the immune system. Regardless of the real reason, the bigger issue is that this medical condition is one that can cause you chronic issues for years and years to come.

With Crohn's disease ulcers can develop along the digestive tract leaving those who suffer with an even more complicated medical course. These ulcers can appear along all portions of the gastrointestional tract. They are not particular and focus on just one area of the GI tract, no, they are known to appear along all portions.

A very interesting issue that leaves patients and their families very frustrated is that this condition can quickly run the extremes of being completely quiet and essentially leaving the patient in a remission and without symptoms and yet other times it can be raging out of control. Of course this can be a real challenge to manage since patients can be lulled into the mistaken thought that they are cured. Wrong! Symptoms that have become quieter just mean that they are quiet, it does not mean that they are gone. Do not make a mistake with your health and stop taking your medications or stop any other treatment options that you are following. Listen to your body and your health care provider.

These ulcers that develop in the digestive tract cause swelling and a subsequent narrowing of the intestinal wall, and as such, will impact the body's ability to digest food properly. This will result in the inability to pass stools efficiently and ultimately lead to the most common visual symptom of Crohn's disease; that being the presence of blood in the stool. Aside from the obvious red flag, blood in the stool is also an indication that the body is losing valuable vitamins and minerals as a result.

Crohn's disease can vary wildly in its symptoms. There are many patients who experience mild symptoms but other patients may have symptoms that are so severe that daily life is altered. Be honest with your physician and let her know all of the symptoms that you are experiencing.

Medical research continues to search for answers. Some leads us to believe that perhaps dietary alterations can help to treat and control this disease; in fact, this is often the least aggressive of the treatments suggested and often the first thing your doctor will suggest you try to manage your symptoms.

No, tragically there is not a current cure for Crohn's disease, but early diagnosis, and by working closely with your physician to develop a treatment plan that you can live with are great places to start. You want to be able to have control over your life and by managing your Crohn's disease you have the best shot at having a healthier life style. Talk with your physician today.

By: Tammy Foster

For more important information on stomach pain visit a-stomach-pain.com There's information on stomach pain causes such as Crohn's disease and other articles at www.a-stomach-pain.com

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