Crohn's Disease

If you want to learn more about Crohn's disease, The Fitmap.com can help. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, which results in red and swollen intestines and abdominal pain. While the exact causes of Crohn's disease aren't known, it's believed to be an autoimmune disease, meaning that the inflammation of the bowels is caused by a malfunction of the immune system. Because there is no known cure and the focus is placed on putting the illness into remission, educating yourself about Crohn's Disease is vital for all sufferers. So how can you live with Crohn's Disease and maintain your quality of life?

This painful illness is characterized by inflammation, sores and lesions in the intestinal wall. Sufferers experience pain and discomfort which is often alleviated by passing waste. Depending on the area of the intestine that is affected, sufferers may have diarrhoea, or constipation. If the illness affects the upper intestine, it will usually result in large quantities of watery diarrhoea, whereas the lower intestine often leads to smaller amounts of feces, but more often, and the consistency may be hard or soft. Other symptoms may include rectal itching, vomiting and nausea. In severe cases, damage to the intestine through repeated bouts of the disease may result in the formation of scar tissue which can eventually completely block the intestine. In this situation, surgery may be necessary to remove the obstructed part of the digestive track.