Research Paper On Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Shauna Griffin
Immunology
Spring 2016
April 23, 2016
Dr. Turner
Crohn’s disease, also known as Ileitis, is a chronic, inflammatory disease involving the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The main purpose of the GI tract is to break down food in order to allow the nutrients to be absorbed effectively. This is extremely important to the body’s functioning and overall performance. The GI tract is essential for energy, growth and repair and it is because of these reasons that Crohn’s disease is such a serious condition. Like any disease, understanding how it develops, knowing the symptoms and complications, as well as being able to recognize ways to treat them, are all key factors in living with Crohn's Disease. Through …show more content…
years of research we have gained a better understanding of these aspects and continue to identify, test and improve ways to prevent and treat this life altering autoimmune disease.
Crohn’s disease has no exact cause, but the trigger of the inflammation and flare ups is strongly related to stress and diet. Although these aspects are strongly related to the disease, there are several other possible causes for the development of Crohn's. Research has shown that a weakened immune system, hereditary aspects, and genetics can all have an impact on the development of Crohn's. In regards to the immune system, Crohn’s disease evolves as a result of innate immunity that involves the mucosal barrier and cellular components such as neutrophils and macrophages (J R Korzenik, 2007). A study done by Dignass et al explain how increased growth of lamina propria T cells and inefficient control and regulation of apoptosis leads to accumulation of T-cells which results in intestinal inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease (Dignass et al,2004).
Crohn’s can be difficult to recognize due to the fact that the symptoms are specific and can differ from person to person.
The symptoms of Crohn's can also reflect symptoms of other diseases and illnesses, making it hard to diagnose. Although Individuals’ symptoms vary, some of the common symptoms of the disease include; abdominal cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea and rectal bleeding (Lashner, B. A. 2013). Crohn's disease is a chronic disease, meaning that those who have it will experience symptom free bouts, but the symptoms return eventually whether it be weeks, days, months or years later. Crohn’s is a very complex disease, there are several complications that accompany the common side effects listed previously. These accompanying complications include; ulcers, fistulas, malnutrition, bowel obstruction, and certain cancers. Many of these complications can arise due to the inflammation, symptoms and side effects, or a combination of all three (Lashner, B. A. …show more content…
2013).
Ulcers are one of the more severe side effects of Crohn's, especially when they develop into fistulas. Fistulas are products of sores, or ulcers, which have completely penetrated through the intestine wall. If a fistula becomes infected, it can be extremely life threatening if left untreated. As of today there is no true cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there are medications and treatments available to help reduce and ease the symptoms and complications that come with it.
Different types of treatments include bowel rest, dietary monitoring, and surgery.
Bowel rest allows the GI tract to recover from any recent damage that has occurred. Surgery may be an option for some individuals depending on the severity of their case of Crohn's. Some surgery consists of removing certain damaged parts of the GI tract and reconnecting it to the healthy parts of the tract. Another surgery regarding fistulas involves clearing and disinfecting the wound and surgically closing the hole in the intestine. Although it helps with immediate issues, surgery is not a permanent solution to these problems and can leave some patients lacking the ability to absorb the key nutrients their bodies
need.
The drug Infliximab is anti-tumor necrosis antibody that has been shown to be effective in the inducing remission and helping to maintain both inflammatory and fistulous Crohn's disease.
Dietary monitoring is one of the biggest tasks a person living with Crohn's encounters. He or she must not only identify which foods worsen or improve their condition, but also ensure that they are getting enough nutrients to sustain their body’s needs. Every person living with Crohn's should develop a diet that gives them the best possible living situation, while also satisfying their own dietary needs. The key to dieting is specificity and tolerance. Not only will monitoring your diet help with day to day inflammation, and discomfort, it will also help heal any previous damage to the intestines caused by the chronic inflammation which accompanies the disease.
Although Crohn's is specific to each individual, just like the symptoms, there is a list of common foods and beverages that have been found to cause discomfort and inflammation in most patients. These include; alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee, chocolate, butter, red meat, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, spicy foods and various others. (Pearson et al, 1993). These foods cause problems as many of them are high in the key nutrients that the body needs for optimal performance.
Patients who cut these foods from their diet in order to avoid pain and discomfort can experience a deficiency in essential nutrients. Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin A, D, K, E, and B12 and Calcium are the major nutrients absorbed by the body. They all play a role in the optimal functioning and efficiency of our body’s performance on a day to day basis. The most common deficiency with a restricted diet is Iron. Iron is used to transport oxygen via red blood cells throughout the body, without this supply of oxygen the body cannot survive. Therefore, a deficiency in Iron can cause obvious problems for the patient. Vitamin A helps with white blood cell production; this helps the immune system fight against bacterial and viral infections. Lacking this would cause obvious harm resulting in defective proliferation of white blood cells and a weakened immune system. Vitamin D is necessary for Calcium absorption. It also aids in the regulation the immune system and neuromuscular system.
Overall, it is clear that nutrients are the most important aspect of our diet. Inadequate amounts of these nutrients can have major effects on the performance of the body. Unfortunately for Crohn's patients, it is an ongoing battle of diet restriction, life choices and overall monitoring of day to day activities. Crohn’s is and continues to be, one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S, with every attempt being made to improve the lives of those suffering from this chronic disease. The impact of this disease not only affects their diet, but also their capabilities and comfort performing physical activities and exercise. The key to living with Crohn's is to find a tolerable balance of dietary restrictions, consumption of adequate nutrients and appropriate lifestyle choices. Researchers all over the world continue to improve and find ways to identify and treat this disease with new information being discovered every year. The goal of research of this disease is to one day reduce its prevalence severity and effect on the world’s population. Works Cited
(Formatted according to GUT journal)
M. K. Basu, p. Asquith, r. A. Thompson, and w. T. Cooke, 1975.Oral manifestations of Crohn's disease. Gut, 1975, 16, 249-254.
M Pearson, K Teahon, A Jonathan Levi, I Bjarnason 1993. Food intolerance and Crohn's disease. Gut 1993; 34: 783-787
Agne`s Gardet et al, 2010. LRRK2 Is Involved in the IFN-g Response and Host Response to Pathogens. J Immunol 2010; 185:5577-5585
A. U. Dignass, d. C. Baumgart & a. Sturm, 2007. The aetiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease — immunology and repair mechanisms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004; 20 (Suppl. 4): 9–17.
J R Korzenik, 2007. Is Crohn’s disease due to defective immunity? Gut 2007; 56:2–5.
Lashner, B. A. 2013. Crohn's Disease. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/gastroenterology/crohns-disease/
Shauna Griffin
Immunology
Spring 2016
April 23, 2016
Dr. Turner
Crohn’s disease, also known as Ileitis, is a chronic, inflammatory disease involving the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The main purpose of the GI tract is to break down food in order to allow the nutrients to be absorbed effectively. This is extremely important to the body’s functioning and overall performance. The GI tract is essential for energy, growth and repair and it is because of these reasons that Crohn’s disease is such a serious condition. Like any disease, understanding how it develops, knowing the symptoms and complications, as well as being able to recognize ways to treat them, are all key factors in living with Crohn's Disease. Through …show more content…
years of research we have gained a better understanding of these aspects and continue to identify, test and improve ways to prevent and treat this life altering autoimmune disease.
Crohn’s disease has no exact cause, but the trigger of the inflammation and flare ups is strongly related to stress and diet. Although these aspects are strongly related to the disease, there are several other possible causes for the development of Crohn's. Research has shown that a weakened immune system, hereditary aspects, and genetics can all have an impact on the development of Crohn's. In regards to the immune system, Crohn’s disease evolves as a result of innate immunity that involves the mucosal barrier and cellular components such as neutrophils and macrophages (J R Korzenik, 2007). A study done by Dignass et al explain how increased growth of lamina propria T cells and inefficient control and regulation of apoptosis leads to accumulation of T-cells which results in intestinal inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease (Dignass et al,2004).
Crohn’s can be difficult to recognize due to the fact that the symptoms are specific and can differ from person to person.
The symptoms of Crohn's can also reflect symptoms of other diseases and illnesses, making it hard to diagnose. Although Individuals’ symptoms vary, some of the common symptoms of the disease include; abdominal cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea and rectal bleeding (Lashner, B. A. 2013). Crohn's disease is a chronic disease, meaning that those who have it will experience symptom free bouts, but the symptoms return eventually whether it be weeks, days, months or years later. Crohn’s is a very complex disease, there are several complications that accompany the common side effects listed previously. These accompanying complications include; ulcers, fistulas, malnutrition, bowel obstruction, and certain cancers. Many of these complications can arise due to the inflammation, symptoms and side effects, or a combination of all three (Lashner, B. A. …show more content…
2013).
Ulcers are one of the more severe side effects of Crohn's, especially when they develop into fistulas. Fistulas are products of sores, or ulcers, which have completely penetrated through the intestine wall. If a fistula becomes infected, it can be extremely life threatening if left untreated. As of today there is no true cure for Crohn’s disease. However, there are medications and treatments available to help reduce and ease the symptoms and complications that come with it.
Different types of treatments include bowel rest, dietary monitoring, and surgery.
Bowel rest allows the GI tract to recover from any recent damage that has occurred. Surgery may be an option for some individuals depending on the severity of their case of Crohn's. Some surgery consists of removing certain damaged parts of the GI tract and reconnecting it to the healthy parts of the tract. Another surgery regarding fistulas involves clearing and disinfecting the wound and surgically closing the hole in the intestine. Although it helps with immediate issues, surgery is not a permanent solution to these problems and can leave some patients lacking the ability to absorb the key nutrients their bodies
need.
The drug Infliximab is anti-tumor necrosis antibody that has been shown to be effective in the inducing remission and helping to maintain both inflammatory and fistulous Crohn's disease.
Dietary monitoring is one of the biggest tasks a person living with Crohn's encounters. He or she must not only identify which foods worsen or improve their condition, but also ensure that they are getting enough nutrients to sustain their body’s needs. Every person living with Crohn's should develop a diet that gives them the best possible living situation, while also satisfying their own dietary needs. The key to dieting is specificity and tolerance. Not only will monitoring your diet help with day to day inflammation, and discomfort, it will also help heal any previous damage to the intestines caused by the chronic inflammation which accompanies the disease.
Although Crohn's is specific to each individual, just like the symptoms, there is a list of common foods and beverages that have been found to cause discomfort and inflammation in most patients. These include; alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee, chocolate, butter, red meat, raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, spicy foods and various others. (Pearson et al, 1993). These foods cause problems as many of them are high in the key nutrients that the body needs for optimal performance.
Patients who cut these foods from their diet in order to avoid pain and discomfort can experience a deficiency in essential nutrients. Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin A, D, K, E, and B12 and Calcium are the major nutrients absorbed by the body. They all play a role in the optimal functioning and efficiency of our body’s performance on a day to day basis. The most common deficiency with a restricted diet is Iron. Iron is used to transport oxygen via red blood cells throughout the body, without this supply of oxygen the body cannot survive. Therefore, a deficiency in Iron can cause obvious problems for the patient. Vitamin A helps with white blood cell production; this helps the immune system fight against bacterial and viral infections. Lacking this would cause obvious harm resulting in defective proliferation of white blood cells and a weakened immune system. Vitamin D is necessary for Calcium absorption. It also aids in the regulation the immune system and neuromuscular system.
Overall, it is clear that nutrients are the most important aspect of our diet. Inadequate amounts of these nutrients can have major effects on the performance of the body. Unfortunately for Crohn's patients, it is an ongoing battle of diet restriction, life choices and overall monitoring of day to day activities. Crohn’s is and continues to be, one of the most prevalent diseases in the U.S, with every attempt being made to improve the lives of those suffering from this chronic disease. The impact of this disease not only affects their diet, but also their capabilities and comfort performing physical activities and exercise. The key to living with Crohn's is to find a tolerable balance of dietary restrictions, consumption of adequate nutrients and appropriate lifestyle choices. Researchers all over the world continue to improve and find ways to identify and treat this disease with new information being discovered every year. The goal of research of this disease is to one day reduce its prevalence severity and effect on the world’s population. Works Cited
(Formatted according to GUT journal)
M. K. Basu, p. Asquith, r. A. Thompson, and w. T. Cooke, 1975.Oral manifestations of Crohn's disease. Gut, 1975, 16, 249-254.
M Pearson, K Teahon, A Jonathan Levi, I Bjarnason 1993. Food intolerance and Crohn's disease. Gut 1993; 34: 783-787
Agne`s Gardet et al, 2010. LRRK2 Is Involved in the IFN-g Response and Host Response to Pathogens. J Immunol 2010; 185:5577-5585
A. U. Dignass, d. C. Baumgart & a. Sturm, 2007. The aetiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease — immunology and repair mechanisms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004; 20 (Suppl. 4): 9–17.
J R Korzenik, 2007. Is Crohn’s disease due to defective immunity? Gut 2007; 56:2–5.
Lashner, B. A. 2013. Crohn's Disease. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/gastroenterology/crohns-disease/