Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic condition characterized by patchy areas of inflammation and ulcers (open sores) along the innermost layer of the digestive tract. Such lesions can develop anywhere from the mouth to anus, but the majority of cases involve the small intestine or the first part of the large intestine. Between these patches of inflammation and ulceration there remain stretches of normal, healthy tissue.

CD is closely related to a similar condition known as ulcerative colitis (UC). Both CD and UC are considered inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). CD affects between 2 and 7 out of 100,000 people and researchers believe that these numbers are growing. CD develops mostly between the ages of 15 and 40, although children and older adults may also develop the condition. People of Jewish heritage are up to six times more likely to develop CD than are people in the general population.

Although medication and strict diets can reduce the inflammation of CD, most people with the condition will require surgery to remove part of the digestive tract at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, however, surgery does not completely cure or eradicate the disease.

Symptoms

Crohn disease is intermittent. This means that the inflammation occurs (flares) without warning and then goes away (goes into remission) over time. It is impossible to predict when the condition will flare, how long the flare will last, and when it will flare again. Most people feel pretty well when their disease is not active.
 
The most common symptoms in Crohn disease are those related to the inflammatory damage to the digestive tract.

• Diarrhea - Waxes and wanes; stool may contain mucus, blood, or pus
• Pain in the abdomen - Crampy or steady; in the right lower part of the abdomen or around the belly button; often relieved temporarily by having a bowel movement
• Bloating after eating - Less common, usually seen in cases of bowel obstruction
• Constipation - Usually seen in cases of bowel obstruction
• Pain or bleeding with bowel movement
• Infection of the urinary tract or vagina - Suggests a fistula from the intestinal tract

General symptoms occur in some but not all cases:

• Low-grade fevers
• Weight loss
•  Fatigue

Here are some options we use at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine LOCATED IN Cincinnati, Ohio

• Acupuncture
• Medication, Herbal Therapies and Supplements
• Energy Healing
• Mind/Body Relaxation Techniques