Crohn’s disease is a disease of the digestive system, which causes chronic inflammation of the lining of the intestines and can be caused by genetic factors or by malfunctioning of the immune system, for example.
This disease can cause symptoms such as intestinal irritation, bleeding, sensitivity to some foods, diarrhea or intestinal pain, and can take months to years to appear and, therefore, it is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. Check out all the symptoms of Crohn’s disease .
Crohn’s disease has no cure, however, the treatment aims to relieve symptoms and promote a better quality of life, and should be done according to the guidance of the nutritionist or gastroenterologist.
Possible causes
Crohn’s disease has not yet fully clarified its causes, however it is believed that some factors that may influence its onset include:
- Genetic factorsmay be related to the development of Crohn’s disease, being more common in people who have a close relative with the disease;
- Changes in the immune systemthat leads to an exaggerated response by the body during an infection, causing an attack on the cells of the digestive system;
- Changes in the intestinal microbiota, which can cause an imbalance in the amount of bacteria present in the intestine;
- Smoking frequently, as cigarettes contain substances such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and free radicals that can alter the way the blood flows into the intestines and thus increase the risk of developing the disease or contribute to increasing the crises of the disease Crohn’s.
This disease can manifest itself at any stage of life, but it is more common to appear after periods of great stress or concern. Crohn’s disease can affect both men and women, and its appearance may also be related to the use of medications such as oral contraceptives, antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of Crohn’s disease should always be done according to the guidance of the gastroenterologist and nutritionist and aims to reduce the inflammation of the intestine that causes the symptoms, improve the quality of life or decrease the risk of complications.
In addition, you should eat a balanced diet with a healthy and balanced diet.
The main treatments for Crohn’s disease are:
1. Use of medicines
Medicines used to treat Crohn’s disease should always be recommended by the gastroenterologist and are indicated to relieve symptoms or prevent attacks and include:
- Corticosteroidslike prednisone or budesonide to help reduce inflammation of the intestine;
- Aminosalicylates suchas sulfasalazine or mesalazine that act by reducing inflammation to prevent and reduce attacks;
- Immunosuppressants suchas azathioprine, mercaptopurine or methotrexate that help to decrease the action of the immune system and can be used in cases where there is no improvement with the use of other medications;
- Biological drugs suchas infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol or vedolizumab that help modulate the actions of the immune system;
- Antibiotics suchas ciprofloxacin or metronidazole can be used in cases of complications from infection, bacterial overgrowth or perianal disease.
In addition, other medications to relieve symptoms can be used as medications for diarrhea, pain or vitamin supplements in case of nutritional deficiency due to malabsorption of food.
2. Adequate food
Inflammation in the intestine caused by Crohn’s disease can impair the digestion and absorption of food, which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain or growth retardation in children, so it is important to eat a balanced diet, guided by a nutritionist or nutritionist, and avoid eating foods that may worsen symptoms such as coffee, chocolate or raw vegetables, for example. Know what to eat in Crohn’s disease .
In addition, if even with the proper diet, there is no improvement in the absorption of nutrients or reduction of symptoms, a specific diet made by enteral or parenteral nutrition may be indicated by the doctor.
Watch the video with nutritionist Tatiana Zanin on what to eat in Crohn’s disease:
3. Surgery
Surgery may be indicated by the doctor if changes in diet or treatment with medications are not effective in improving the symptoms of Crohn’s disease or if complications arise such as fistulas or narrowing of the intestine.
During surgery, the doctor removes damaged portions of the intestine and reconnects the healthy parts.
Possible complications
Crohn’s disease can cause some complications in the intestine or other parts of the body like skin or bones, for example. Other possible complications of this disease include:
- Narrowing of the intestinethat can lead to obstruction and the need for surgery;
- Bowel rupture;
- Formation of ulcers in the intestine, mouth, anus or genital region;
- Formation of fistulas in the intestinethat are an abnormal connection between different parts of the body, for example between the intestine and the skin or between the intestine and another organ;
- Anal fissurethat is a small crack in the anus;
- Malnutritionthat can lead to anemia or osteoporosis;
- Inflammation in the hands and legswith lumps under the skin;
- Increased formation of blood clotsthat can cause obstruction of veins and arteries.
In addition, Crohn’s disease increases the risk of developing bowel cancer, and regular medical follow-up and colonoscopy tests are recommended, as indicated by the doctor. Find out how colonoscopy is performed .
