Several Types Of Treatment For Crohn's Disease example essay topic

433 words
There are many different types of gastrointestinal disease that affect many different people. One of these diseases is Crohn's Disease. Crohn's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that is able to effect any part of the gastrointestinal system, but most of the time effects the ileum, the place where the small intestine and the large intestine connect. Crohn's Disease also has a couple of other names.

It also goes by Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Regional Enteritis, Lle itis, or Granulomatous Illocolitis. Crohn's Disease is caused when the immune system attacks the body's own cells, like any other gastrointestinal disease, but is different in the fact that it is also believed to have genetic factors. Crohn's Disease can occur at any age, but people who are at highest risk are people who are adolescence or young adults. Some symptoms of Crohn's Disease are: Abdominal pain Fever Diarrhea Loss of appetite Weight loss Abdominal mass Abdominal Sounds Clubbing of fingers or toes Gastrointestinal bleeding Foul-smelling stools Tenesmus Bloody stools Joint pain Incontinence Swollen gums Constipation Abdominal fullness Gas There are also some other diseases that are often confused with Crohn's Disease. These diseases include: Ulcerative Colitis Appendicitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diverticulitis Peptic Ulcer Disease Inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas If you have Crohn's disease, then it is a good idea to keep a record of your signs and symptoms so that the right cure and treatment can be found. It is also a good idea to see your doctor if you have the following symptoms: Severe abdominal pain Blood in bowel movements Change in bowel habits Ongoing diarrhea Unexplained fever for a few days There are several types of treatment for Crohn's disease, and more cures are currently being found.

Sometimes, though, symptoms may go away for a little while, but then they may come back. One of the treatments for Crohn's disease is to take medicines. One of the first medicines that a Crohn's disease patient would take is mesalamine, which helps control inflammation. Some of the other possible medicines that one may take are: Corticosteroids, which help control inflammation, but side effects are increased blood pressure, cataracts, osteoporosis, and weight gain.

Immuno modulators, which block the immune reaction that causes inflammation, side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low white blood count, and lower resistance to infection. Other measures of treatment, besides medicines, are: Relaxation training Biofeedback Acupuncture Homeopathy Vitamin therapy Herbal and botanical treatments Until a cure is discovered, about eighty percent of Crohn's patients will require surgery.