Crohn’s disease is a lasting digestive disorder that leads to inflammation and damage in the digestive tract. This disease is among the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
An expert of IBD ailments, Ryan Ungaro, shares profound knowledge of Crohn’s disease.
Usually, Crohn’s disease affects both the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon or large intestine. However, the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) states that inflammation can occur wherever in the digestive tract.
Crohn’s disease has no cure, but it is possible to manage the symptoms with various treatments. However, most people experience no symptoms and flares, which may cause worsening of the disease.
Crohn’s Complications
With severe Crohn’s disease or flares, it is not just the digestive system in trouble, but other complications can arise. In some Crohn’s disease cases, people can develop eye issues like episcleritis, uveitis, and scleritis, all types of eye inflammation. This eye inflammation tends to cause impaired vision and redness.
Inflammation linked with Crohn’s can also be a source of skin symptoms that appear on the legs and arms, such as tiny red bumps (erythema nodosum) and sores (pyoderma gangrenosum).
Another potential complication of Crohn’s is bile duct disease, also known as primary sclerosing cholangitis. The bile duct disease is prevalent in people with ulcerative colitis, a type of IBD but can also occur in people with Crohn’s.
Crohn’s and Various Autoimmune Disorders
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune ailment that occurs when your immune system wrongly self-attacks or reacts inappropriately to a seeming intruder. If you happen to have an autoimmune disorder, the chances of having another escalate.
Crohn’s disease often joins with inflammatory arthritis types, particularly ankylosing spondylitis. This is a disorder caused by inflammation in the lower spine and pelvis joints. Psoriasis, an autoimmune illness famous for causing scaly skin spots, is also mutual among Crohn’s patients.
When you have Crohn’s and start to experience joint pain or skin problems, it would be best if a dermatologist or rheumatologist ruled out the cause. Occasionally the symptom may be from Crohn’s complication, but not always from an underlying GI disease. Therefore, someone who has inflammatory arthritis or psoriasis is advisable to have particular treatment for those problems, on top of Crohn’s treatment.
Crohn’s and Diet
There’s no particular diet meant for all people with Crohn’s disease. However, making substantial dietary alterations helps decrease uncomfortable symptoms when flares, like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Foods that frequently trigger Crohn’s symptoms include:
- Specific whole grains
- Seeds and nuts
- Spicy foods
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Fatty or greasy foods
- Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
If you have malnourishment from Crohn’s disease, it would be best to focus on getting particular adequate nutrients in your diet. If you experience the worst symptoms, you should eat more bland soft foods.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone take necessary safety precautions in maintaining ultimate health. Therefore, there are resources to assist people with Crohn’s disease get through the coronavirus difficult times. These resources involve medical assistance as well as virtual mental therapy.