Crohn's Disease Medications | HealthInfi

Overview

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and weight loss. Crohn’s treatment consists of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and a healthy diet, as well as over-the-counter antidiarrhetics and prescription anti-inflammatory medication.

What Causes Crohn’s Disease?

Although there are many theories about what causes Crohn’s disease, none of them have been proven. There is a benefit, though, in understanding the possible causes of Crohn’s disease and how they interact with one another. Doing so can help one better understand the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Crohn’s disease.

Scientists believe that Crohn’s disease is caused by a combination of these factors:

• Immune system problems
• Genetics
• Environmental factors

How might each of these factors contribute to Crohn’s disease? Read on to learn more.

How do immune system problems relate to Crohn’s disease?

Scientists have linked immune system problems to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s. Usually, cells of the immune system defend the body from harmful microbes — bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign substances — that have entered it. The body doesn’t usually respond to all microbes, however. Many microbes are helpful, especially for digestion. And so the immune system leaves them alone.

If there is an invader that needs to be eliminated, your body’s defense reaction begins. This immune system response causes inflammation. Immune system cells, chemicals, and fluids flood to the site to overcome the offending substance. After the substance has been disabled or removed, the immune response ends. Inflammation subsides.

For some reason, though, people with Crohn’s disease have an immune system that reacts inappropriately. The immune system may be defending the body against helpful microbes by mistake. Or, for some other reason, the inflammatory response simply will not stop. Either way, over time, this chronic inflammation in the digestive system can result in ulcers and other injuries to the intestines.Read More