Crohn's Disease and History:
Crohn's Disease was named after Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, who first described the disease in 1932 along with colleagues Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon D. Crohn's Disease belongs to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. The GI tract contains harmless bacteria, many of which aid in digestion. The immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Under normal circumstances, the harmless bacteria in the intestines are protected from such an attack. In people with IBD (Crohn's), these bacteria are mistaken for harmful invaders and the immune system mounts a response. Cells travel out of the blood to the intestines and produce inflammation (a normal immune system response). However, the inflammation does not subside, leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration, thickening of the intestinal wall, and eventually causing patient symptoms. Crohn's is an immune related disease; however, the exact immune problem is not clear. It may be an immunodeficiency state. Crohn's and Colitis Symptoms:
Fever, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Fatigue, Night sweats, Loss of normal menstrual cycle, Diarrhea, Rectal bleeding, Abdominal cramps and pain, anemia, skin rashes, inflammation of the eye, tiredness. Crohn's Disease can cause complications with the endocrine system, iron deficiency, and neurological complications such as seizure, stroke, headache, depression, myopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. Crohn's Disease can even lead to cancer of the bowel. Crohn's and Colitis Treatment:
There are ccurrently no medications or surgical procedures that can cure Crohn's Disease. Treatment options will help with symptoms, remission, and prevent relapse. Crohn's Statistics:
Crohn's Disease may affect as many as 700,00 Americans. Men and Women are equally likely to be affected, and while the disease can occur at any age, Crohn's is more prevalent among adolescents and young adults between ages of 15 and 35.
1 in 5 people are admitted to the hospital each year, and half of those with the disease will require surgery for the disease at some point over a 10 year period. Surgery should be used as little as possible and reserved as a last resort; however, it is necessary to address abscesses, certain bowel obstructions, and cancers. Crohn's Disease contains a genetic component. Siblings with Crohn's are 30 times more likely to develop Crohn's than the general population. Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: (All donations and money raised by Kellen's Cause will go directly to the National Foundation)
386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016-8804
Phone: 1-800-932-2423 or 1-212-685-3440
Internet: www.ccfa.org
