Crohn disease

What Is Crohn disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. It can occur anywhere between the mouth to anus region (including oesophagus, small and large intestines, stomach and anus) that is responsible for the gastrointestinal activities in the body. The disease shows up signs of tissue injury with pain, swelling and redness. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Crohn disease?

Crohn's disease can be diagnosed through a number of symptoms. Some of them are:

• Abdominal and rectal pain.
• Fatigue.
• Anaemia.
• Weight loss.
• Diarrhoea.
• Gastrointestinal bloating with flatulence, vomiting, bowel blockage and blood in the tool.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fever.
• Mouth ulcers.

What Are The Causes Of Crohn disease?

Crohn's disease can occur in people due to a number of causes. Some of these are mentioned below.

• Genetic causes.
• Smoking.
• An infection that occurred in the past.
• Weak immune system.
• Environmental factors like virus or bacteria

In short, Crohn's disease occurs because of the weakening of the intestinal cells caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetics. 

What Are The Things One Should Do To Manage Crohn disease?

What Are The Things One Should Avoid To Manage Crohn disease?

What Are The Best Foods For Crohn disease?

It is prudent to follow a strict and healthy diet for which the best foods are:

• Liquid meals: During Crohn's disease, it is not always easy to intake solid food so a liquid diet is helpful in keeping the energy levels regulated. Freshly-prepared shakes that are rich in nutrients can help in strengthening the immune system and reducing the symptoms. 
• Yoghurt: Yogurt is helpful in this diet as it helps in soothing the pressure on the intestines of the patient. However, a patient should avoid it if he/she has trouble digesting dairy products as it can make diarrhoea much worse.
• Iron-rich foods: Iron helps in increasing blood in the body, so it is prudent for people with Crohn's disease as they often become anaemic. Some foods rich in iron for this diet are spinach, beans, sea food, etc.
• Vitamin B12-rich foods: Vitamin B12 is another nutrient needed for maintaining the RBCs in the body during the treatment of this disease. Some foods rich in this vitamin are tofu, soy milk, fish, eggs, cheese, etc.
• Calcium- and Vitamin D-rich foods: The presence of calcium and vitamin D in foods in this diet helps to keep the bones of the body strong and healthy. 

What Are The Worst Foods For Crohn disease?

• High-fibre foods: It is advisable to skip high-fibre food items from the diet as these will trigger inflammation in the body. Various foods with high fibres are broccoli, peas, Brussels sprouts, lima beans, black beans, nuts, etc.
• Spicy foods: Avoid consuming anything that is hot and spicy. Extra flavorful dishes will only make it harder for the body to digest, leading to worsening of diarrhoea in the body.
• Foods with skins: Patients should avoid consuming food items with the skin, whether fruits or vegetables. This can lead to digestive problems. The skin of such foods should first be peeled off and then cooked if they can be. These include cucumbers, apples, eggplant, etc.
• Popcorn: This may be a whole grain food, but it is very hard to digest, which is why a person with Crohn's disease should avoid it.
• Fried food: Fried food clogs the internal walls of the intestines, making it hard to be digested. Moreover, it brings in hundreds of other diseases with it so it is advisable to stop its consumption. Such foods include the chicken fry, fish fry, French fries, fast foods, pan-fried noodles, ramen, etc.   

What Are The Medicines For Crohn disease?

What Are The Tips To Manage Crohn disease?

Monitor the foods that suit the diet during Crohn's disease and try consuming the ones that are easy to digest. Avoid fibre intake.