Crohn's Disease Research Paper

Definition: Crohn’s Disease commonly called Crohn’s is a persisting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is typically located in the ileum (end of small intestine) and the cecum (beginning of large intestine), although it can be found anywhere along the digestive tract (mouth to anus). This happens when areas in the digestive system swell and have open sores called ulcers. Many doctors do not know what causes Crohn’s, but they do know that it can happen when the body has an irregular response to a known bacteria within the body. Smoking and a family member having the disease raises the chance of someone getting it. This disease is very painful and exhausting and can even be life threatening.

Signs/Symptoms(S/S): The signs and symptoms of Crohn’s …show more content…
Rather than being Crohn’s it could be anemia, rectal bleeding, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or Ulcerative Colitis. Anemia is a condition when an individual does not have enough healthy red blood cells.This can easily be confused with how Crohn’s patients seem anemic because of the occurrence of bloody stool with diarrhea. Rectal bleeding is very similar. It too can be confused with the bleeding due to diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is much like Crohn’s. They have similar signs and symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping etc., but IBS does not change the tissue within the bowel. IBS can be managed with medications and change in lifestyle/eating habits and does not increase chance of colon cancer, whereas Crohn’s increases chance of colon cancer. Ulcerative colitis is the most common differential diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. They both have very similar signs and symptoms but Crohn’s is widespread and Ulcerative Colitis is located in the colon with presence of gastritis. Accompanying Crohn’s disease, bleeding, obstruction, anal fistula, weight loss and perianal disease are all very common where these S/S are uncommon with the exception of bleeding in Ulcerative …show more content…
Although there is not a cure for the disease, these treatments are designed to relieve symptoms and long term remission. There are two approaches that doctors may take called the “step-up” (start with milder drugs) or “top-down” (start with stronger drugs). One kind of drug that a doctor may prescribe first are anti-inflammatory drugs such as oral 5-aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. Oral 5-aminosalicylates are used when the disease affects the colon. These drugs have many side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn and headache. Corticosteroids can relieve inflammation anywhere in the body, but have many serious side effects such as puffy face, excessive facial hair, night sweats, insomnia and hyperactivity. There are even more serious side effects including high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, bone fractures, cataracts, glaucoma and increased chance of infection. These are not for long term use and may not work for everyone. Another drug a doctor may prescribe are immune system suppressors. These help to diminish inflammation by attacking the immune system which makes what causes the inflammation. Many people benefit from a combination of the anti-inflammatory and immune suppressors. Different immunosuppressants are Azathioprine (Imuran) and mercaptopurine (Purinethol), Infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira) and certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), Methotrexate (Rheumatrex),

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Research Paper on Crohn's Disease