Introduction Causes Complications Homoeopathic treatment

Types Symptoms Diagnosis

Crohns disease is an autoimmune disorder presenting itself as a chronic recurring inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It comes under the group of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases). The inflammatory lesions are characterized by involvement of the entire wall of the affected bowel (transmural). The disease may affect any part of the bowels from the mouth to the anus and the main gastrointestinal symptoms are pain in abdomen, diarrhea (occasionally bloody) and weight loss. Its extra gastrointestinal affections are skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eyes.

It is most commonly seen in teenagers and older individuals in the age group of 60 70 years. Both the sexes are equally affected. The disease affects nearly 600,000 people yearly in the US alone.

• Ileocolic Crohns disease: it affects both the ileum (last part of small intestine connecting it to large intestine) and the large intestine (colon). This type of affection is seen in nearly 50% of patients.
• Crohn's ileitis: It involves the ileum only and accounts for nearly 30% of cases.
• Crohn's colitis: It affects the large intestine and about 20% of total cases have this affection.

• Although the cause of Crohn's disease is not known, Its autoimmune nature is widely accepted. The altered immune system induces an inflammatory reaction in the intestine when exposed to triggering factors. Here th immune system does notrecognise the normal bactrias of the intestine and induces an inflammatory reaction.
• Genetic affiinity makes the person susceptible to the ailment.
• Stress plays an important role in manifestation of Crohs disease.
• Many cytokines in the Th1 classification, including TNF-a, interleukin-2, and interferon ? are elevated in Crohn's disease, and are involved in mediating the inflammation.

• Diet rich in Sugar, fatty/refined food, shell fish, etc.
• Smoking
• Oral contrceptives
• Systemic illnesses like SLE, RA, etc.
• Drugs like porphyrinogenic drugs, sulfasalazine, etc

• Cramp like abdominal pains better after defecation.
• Diarrhea may or may not be accompanied by blood. Ileitis typically causes large watery stools. Colitis causes less volume and increased frequency of stools.
• Flatulance and bloating of abdomen
• Peri-anal discomfort in the form of itching, pain, skin tags, fecal incontinence, etc may be present may be present.
• Extra intestinal affections like Aphthous ulcers cause difficulty in swallowing.
• Occasional involvement of the esophagus and stomach may cause upper abdominal pain and vomiting.
  Systemic symptoms: Affected children show growth failure. Amongst older individuals it may cause weight loss.
• Recurrent infections may cause malabsorption

Some of the extra intestinal manifestations are as follows:
Erythema nodosum
Pyoderma granulosum
Acute arthritis (large joints, transient)
Eye complications, conjunctivitis, and Episcleritis uveitis.

• Stricture formation (i.e. narrowing of the passage due to shrinkage after inflammatory response) this can lead to intestinal obstruction.
• Fistulas may develop between the loops of the intestines adjacent to the bladder and vagina. If the patient suffers from recurrent urinary tract infection or Pneumaturia it indicates that the fistula open into the bladder.
  If there is passage of flatus or feculent vaginal discharge it signifies a vaginal fistula.
• Perianal diseases fissures fistulas and abscess formation. Fleshy tags with violaceous hue are common.
• Cancer may complicate long standing disease.
• Ileoceacal disease may involve the right ureter causing recurrent pyelonephritis, uteric stenosis and hydronephrosis Hyperoxaluria and oxalate stones may develop in patients with steatorrhea with intact colon.

• Stool examination
• Sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy
• Imaging
• Barium meal
• Small bowel enema
• Ultra sonography
• CT scan
• MRI scan.

As per the basic principles of Classical Homeopathy each person is understood and evaluated in his totality. All aspects of the person including his mind and body are understood. His genetic predisposition, stress factors are also taken into consideration. Hence the Homeopathic medicines thus prescribed are more effective in giving relief to patients suffering from Crohns disease.

After taking Homeopathic medicines the patient will find relief in his current symptoms like pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, etc. The medicines also help to control the progress, and spread of disease. The intensity, duration and recurrence of the ailment too are controlled. Long term management with Homeopathic medicines gives lasting relief and the benefits are not limited to the ailment per say; there is overall improvement in the immunity of the person and patient lives a healthier and fruitful life.