Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide

Crohn’s disease can have many symptoms and complications regardless of a person’s age, ethnicity or gender.   Given that there are different areas of the digestive track where Crohn’s can attack, not everyone who suffers from Crohn’s will experience the same complications of the disease.  For instance, it is not uncommon for someone with a serious case of Crohn’s to develop a fistula.

What is a fistula?  It is a small tunnel that unnaturally connects two organs or body cavities (IE. the bladder to the rectum) or an organ to the skin (IE. the outside of the body to the rectum).  All fistulas, regardless of where they occur, will eventually break through to an organ, body cavity or the surface of the skin.  It is estimated that one third (30%) of people infected with Crohn’s disease develop fistulas.

Fistulas can form from ulcers and from abscesses; fistulas can also result in an abscess.  An abscess can develop internally or externally on the body.  An abscess is usually a pocket that fills with pus and has a difficult time healing due to the fact that it is often constantly being filled with body fluids such as urine and feces.

An abscess that forms on the skin may closely resemble a boil and will appear swollen and have redness in the surrounding area.  An abscess is also painful and warm to the touch.  In the case of Crohn’s disease, abscesses usually form around the anus, genitals or abdomen.  Eventually it will form pus and continue to grow until it bursts

Abscesses that occur inside the body usually form within an organ, or in a space between two organs.  An internal abscess usually causes a person to feel ill, especially if the abscess breaks.  When an abscess is diagnosed, it is often treated with antibiotics, or if it is on the skin it may be lanced (the abscesses is opened so the pus can drain out and allow it to heal).

There are 4 different types of fistulas:

1. Enterocutaneous – Fistula that connects the stomach to the skin
2. Enteroenteric (Enterocolic) – Fistula that affects the small or large intestine
3. Enterovaginal – Fistula that connects the vagina to another body cavity or organ.
4. Enterovesicular – Fistula that connects the bladder to another body cavity or organ.

Fistulas can create many complications aside from the formation of an abscess in the affected region.  For instance, a fistula related to the bladder can result in constant urinary tract infections.

If you are a Crohn’s sufferer, and you suspect you may have a fistula or would like to know what to look for, the following are common symptoms associated with the condition:

• Pain, itching and tenderness in the affected area
• Pus drainage
• Discharge that has a foul odor
• Fever
• Generally not feeling well

As for any condition, the symptoms one experiences may vary.  However, most symptoms usually relate back to the region where the fistula is located.

A fistula is diagnosed by a professional through special examinations such as Barium enema, colonoscopy, and a fistulogram.  Once diagnosed, treatment can then be prescribed for the fistula.  Medical treatments that are often prescribed for this condition include antibiotics and immunosuppresants.  If the fistulas are not responsive to medical treatment, surgery may be required.

There isn’t much a person can do to prevent a fistula from forming.  Remember, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease.  All you can do is find out what medical treatments provide you with the best chance of putting the disease in remission.

For more information about controlling and treating Crohn’s Disease symptoms take a look at  Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.

Even though symptoms of Crohn’s disease can be controlled through a diet, there is no doubt that the illness is literally a pain in the rear for all sufferers regardless if they are male or female.  Unfortunately, it’s also a known fact that many women with Crohn’s experience gynaecological issues as a result of the disease.

Depending on the type of Crohn’s disease a woman has, and the severity she experiences, Crohn’s can wreak havoc on her reproductive system, affecting her menstruation cycle, vagina and ability to reproduce without complications. Each gynaecological affect will be discussed below.

Menstruation: Many women with Crohn’s disease (over 90%) report having irregular menstruation cycles.  Due to the fact that chronic diseases already cause the body to act abnormally, it is not uncommon for women to experience more severe Crohn’s symptoms prior to, or directly following their menstrual cycle.  The increase in symptoms, along with menses, often results in further inflammation of the intestine, as well as malnutrition.

Vaginal Issues: Some women who have a severe case of Crohn’s disease may develop Enterovaginal.  This is the medical term used to describe a fistula that occurs in the vaginal region.  A fistula is a small abnormal tunnel that connects two organs together and is formed from ulcers present in the digestive track. 

A vaginal fistula may be the connection of the vagina to the rectum.  This can lead to pain during intercourse, and can also result in other serious side effects including the formation of an abscess (painful, pus filled lump), or passing gas or feces through the vagina.  If you have pain during intercourse or notice any other strange side effects related to your vaginal area, consult your physician right away.

Reproduction: Many people are under the misconception that if a woman has Crohn’s disease, she is less likely to conceive a child.  This is untrue.  However, although a woman with Crohn’s is just as likely to conceive as any other woman, women with Crohn’s need to carefully consider their health before they decide to put their body through the change of pregnancy.  This is because pregnant women with Crohn’s have a high chance of a flare up which can lead to complications.

Many complications result in malnutrition and dehydration which can cause a miscarriage.  In addition, should the flare up of Crohn’s require emergency surgery, the unborn baby can suffer complications.

It is estimated that women who develop Crohn’s disease, or have an active case while pregnant, are at 2 to 3 times greater risk of having a miscarriage or a premature delivery.  Furthermore, many medications that are prescribed to control Crohn’s disease can not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding as they can harm the baby.  The lack of medication can also lead to flare ups.

Finally, Crohn’s can lead to other medical complications in women such as osteoporosis and colon cancer.   Osteoporosis can occur if a woman is being treated for the disease with steroids, and has limited the amount of calcium she puts in her diet, if dairy foods are one of the leading triggers for her Crohn’s symptoms.

Colon cancer is another risk.  However, this risk is not limited to women, and is something that every Crohn’s disease sufferer can face.  The same can be said about fistulas.   Although Enterovaginal is obviously specific to women, the many other fistulas that occur are not. Thus, make sure you talk to your doctor about the factors you are at risk for and discuss all your treatment options.
You can find more lots more information about controlling and treating Crohn’s Disease symptoms in my e-book Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.

Many Crohn’s disease sufferers find an elimination diet to be effective for controlling symptoms they experience with the disease.  If symptoms can be effectively controlled by a diet, Crohn’s sufferers may be able to put the disease in remission, allowing them to live a more normal life.

Many foods can cause irritation that triggers diarrhea and abdominal cramping.  Some common foods that have been known to induce diarrhea include, but are not limited to:

• Food high in acidity (IE. Red meat, fired food, natural and artificial sugars)
• Food high in fiber (IE. raw vegetables and fruit, beans, corn, popcorn, etc.)
• Dairy products (IE. eggs, milk, ice cream, cream, butter)
• Foods high in trans-fat (IE. processed foods)
• Alcohol
• Caffeine

You will notice that some of the food listed above provides your body with essential nutrients it needs to remain healthy.  Since you can’t eliminate essential nutrients from your diet, you need to create a well-balanced diet without further irritating your Crohn’s symptoms. 

Is this possible?  Of course!  However, before you can create a well-balanced diet that works, you need to first discover what foods need to be eliminated from your diet.  In order to accomplish this, you need to create a food journal. 

Creating a food journal is easy and only takes about 5 minutes to complete per each meal you eat.  You will need a pen or pencil and a small notebook you can take with you wherever you go for this project. 

A good idea is to organize your food journal so that each page contains 8 columns (Use one page per day) -

• Column 1 – “Food Quantity” – Estimate how much food you eat.  Record the size (inches/cm), weight (ounces/grams), volume (cups/liters) or number of pieces of food you ingested during the day.  Note:  Be honest and include all snacks, even if it was a little midnight snack of two grapes.

• Column 2 – “Food type” – What type of food did you eat?  Be as specific as possible and don’t forget to include the condiments (IE. ketchup, mayo, salad dressing, etc.).

• Column 3 – “Time” - What time during the day did you eat the food?

• Column 4 – “Where I ate my Meal” – Write down where you ate your food.  Did you have it at the dining table, standing over the counter, at a restaurant, etc.

• Column 5 – “Who did I eat with?” – Record who you ate your food with.

• Column 6 – “What was I doing?” – Write down what sort of activity you were engaged in while eating.  Were you driving, reading, watching TV, walking, etc?

• Column 7 – “How did I feel” – Write down what mood you were in while you were eating.  Did you feel stressed, sad, happy etc?

• Column 8 – “Symptoms” – Record any symptoms you had during or after you ate (IE, diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramps, stomach upset, heartburn, etc.)

It is important for you to be as honest as possible when creating the journal.  You’d be surprised to find out that emotions can play a role in the way your body reacts to digestion. 

After a couple of weeks, make an appointment with your doctor and bring your journal so he or she can review it.  Your doctor can help you establish a diet that works specifically for you based on your analysis. 

Although an elimination diet will not cure Crohn’s disease, a diet that has been designed to personally benefit someone, and is faithfully followed, has a higher chance of decreasing the negative effects of the disease.
There are also many more resources and information about controlling and treating Crohn’s Disease symptoms in my e-book Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.

Crohn’s disease isn’t fun to deal with and to make matters worse, it can be troubling both physically and psychologically to those who have it.  Crohn’s is a chronic IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) that attacks the intestinal immune system causing it to malfunction.  The intestines malfunction due to an overload of white blood cells that build up in the stomach’s mucosa (inner lining of the stomach). 

These cells release chemicals that cause the mucosa to become inflamed which irritates the small intestine and/or colon.   The resulting inflammation usually causes diarrhea and/or bloody diarrhea, which is one of the most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease. 

What is diarrhea?  In many cases it is a frequent increase in bowel movements and the decrease of producing stool that has form.  Diarrhea is loose, soft stool, that is often watery.   The softness of the stool is caused by excess secretions of fluid in the stomach or the upper small intestine.  When too much liquid occurs at one time, the colon and lower small intestine can not absorb the necessary amount of water.  Thus, the digested, and sometimes undigested food, remains watery and quickly passes through the anus resulting in diarrhea.

There are different variations of Crohn’s disease.   The 4 main sub-types include:

1. Crohn’s Colitis – inflammation of the colon
2. Crohn’s Enteritis – inflammation in the small intestine
3. Crohn’s Terminal ileitis – inflammation at the very end of the small intestine; the area closest to the colon.
4. Crohn’s Entero-Colitis (also known as Ileo-Colitis)  - inflammation of both the small intestine and the colon

Even though symptoms an infected person may experience differ based on the subtype they have, diarrhea is a common painful and unpleasant condition for all Crohn’s disease sufferers.  For this reason, many people affected with Crohn’s seek treatment to control the problem.

The most common symptoms that accompany diarrhea include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Dehydration
• Skin irritation
• Weight loss

To help alleviate the symptoms you can try applying a warm compress to your stomach to help with cramps.  Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids including water, chicken broth, apple juice, etc.  Keep your rectal area clean after you have a bowel movement and avoid sitting for long periods of time. 

You can also try other treatments to help control your diarrhea.  For instance, there are over-the-counter anti-diarrheal meds available such as:

• Fiber supplements – Anit-diarrheal that helps to add bulk to stool (IE. Metamucil®).  This treatment is often affective for those with mild cases of diarrhea.
• Loperamide - Anti-diarrheal that slows the contraction of the stomach muscles (IE. Imodium®).  This treatment is usually prescribed for those who have a more serious condition.

However, it’s best to consult a professional before you result to these treatments.  You should also pay a visit to your doctor should the medication you are taking fail to help treat your diarrhea or cause the condition to worsen.

Medication that is prescribed for diarrhea symptoms may or may not work depending on how serious Crohn’s disease affects a person.  For this reason, many people with the disease also try a diet plan that focuses on eliminating certain foods such as high fiber, high sugar, dairy, and fat that can trigger a bout of loose watery stool.

Since foods that trigger diarrhea may be different for everyone, the best way to create a diet that works for you is to create a personal elimination diet.

If you’re concerned about losing vital nutrients through diarrhea take a look at Epresat Liquid Multivitamin - it supplies ten essential vitamins, along with calcium and Vitamin D and is a great choice for people who have difficulty digesting solid vitamins.