Understanding

SO, lately i have been doing some research on Crohns disease as over the last weekend, i had another flare up.

So what is it exactly?

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the full thickness of the bowel wall and may involve any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus (back passage). Most frequently the ileum, which is the lower part of the small bowel (ileitis), the large bowel (colitis) or both (ileo-colitis) are involved.

I had surgery in April on my large intestine, which is less common than on the small intestine. Usually, crohns sufferers tend to have infections in their small intestine. On the weekend i was submitted to hospital for cramps that were occuring, which were similar but different to what i have had before which raised alarm bells in my head immediately.

Other crohn sufferers know that toilet habits, are a constant topic of conversation. Majority of sufferers also loose weight rapidly, where i was loosing weight but now have stopped since surgery. So after visiting the hospital,  i was told that i need to have another ultra sound as there maybe some swelling in my small intestine. So where to from now????

Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

The drugs used to treat Crohn’s disease  are more commonly used to help control the inflammation and as maintenance therapy. Active Crohn’s disease is generally treated with steroid tablets (usually prednisolone).
Sometimes, antibiotics are also used.

Where drug therapy is ineffective, an infusion into the vein of infliximab (Remicade), (an antibody that mops up an important protein made by the body during inflammation), may be used.

However, some people do require surgery if drug treatment is ineffective, or if Crohn’s disease causes a blockage or leak in the bowel. Surgery may also be necessary for people with Crohn’s disease of the anus that which is not responding to tablets.

I really need to sit down and sort out what is working for my body, and what is not. What foods are sitting well, and what foods are not.

Its critical i give my body every chance to function properly, and so be it if it means not being able to eat or drink certain things. I need to be strong, and believe that i can do this, and my body can get through this.

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