There are a lot of particulars that figure into or aggravate Crohn's disease, but the exact cause is still unknown. It may involve an abnormal immune response against some microorganism in which your tissues are also attacked. Genetics might also play a role.
There's no known cause of Crohn's disease. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing the condition, including: Autoimmune disease: Bacteria in the digestive tract may cause the body's immune system to attack your healthy cells. Genes: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often runs in families.
The disease can occur at any age, but Crohn's disease is most prevalent in adolescents and adults between the ages of 15 and 35. Diet and stress may aggravate Crohn's disease, but do not cause the disease. Recent research suggests hereditary, genetic, and environmental factors contribute to Crohn's disease development.
The average life expectancy for females is 78.4 years and for males, it is 75.5 years. However, other studies suggest that Crohn's life expectancy is the same for people with the disease and without it. This mainly accounts for lifestyle modification and dietary changes.
There's no cure for Crohn's disease. People who have it tend to go through periods of remission with flares from time to time. Reaching deep remission should increase the chances that you'll stay in remission longer -- perhaps for many years.
Over time, Crohn's disease can lead to other complications, including bowel obstruction, ulcers, fistulas, anal fissures, malnutrition, and other health problems. It can also increase your risk for blood clots and colon cancer.
People Most at Risk of Developing Crohn's Disease
Studies have shown that the disease is most prevalent in adolescents and adults up to 30 years of age as well as in White people and Ashkenazi Jews. In recent years, the prevalence of Crohn's disease among Asians and Hispanics has also significantly increased.
Does Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis get worse with age? Both conditions can change as you age, but not necessarily for the worse. For some people, their condition may improve over time due to a treatment plan that works for them. For others, it may worsen or stay the same.
Causes for Crohn's disease are not completely known. Researchers believe genetic, hereditary, and environmental components may play a part in the condition. And while stress does not cause Crohn's, past research shows it can affect IBD and Crohn's disease.
It is characterized by digestive tract inflammation, which can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. While several treatments are available to manage symptoms and reduce inflammation, there is currently no known cure for Crohn's disease.
If you enjoy alcohol, you can allow yourself a drink or two from time to time. In general, it's safe for people with Crohn's disease to drink alcohol in reasonable amounts. "Particularly when it's the holidays or a special occasion, that can be an important quality-of-life factor.
Do You Poop a Lot With Crohn's? Some people who have Crohn's disease will go to the bathroom more often than people who don't live with a digestive disease. In severe Crohn's disease, diarrhea could occur many times a day. For some people with Crohn's disease, stools are infrequent.
It may go undiagnosed for years, because symptoms usually develop gradually and it doesn't always affect the same part of the intestine. Other diseases can have the same symptoms as Crohn's disease. But doctors can diagnose Crohn's by doing a test that looks at the inside of the intestine and doing a biopsy.
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. It may also occur in any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus).
Coffee Has Its Pros and Cons
In either case, the high amount of caffeine in coffee can aggravate certain unpleasant Crohn's symptoms. But some people with Crohn's tolerate coffee in small doses, such as a morning cup. “I think it's fine for people to have their morning coffee,” Dr. Longman says.
To help your body digest fibrous foods during a flare, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCF) recommends avoiding the skins of fruits and vegetables; raw produce, especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower; and high-fiber whole grains, and opt for low-fiber fruits such as bananas and melons.
Do: Eggs. They're a quick, easy-to-digest breakfast choice. And they're a good source of high-quality protein. If you like them fried or scrambled, go light on fats like butter or oil.