According to medical professionals, the diagnosis of Colitis and Crohn's disease (named for Burrill Bernard Crohn) can be problematic. Simply manifesting the symptoms of distress in the digestive tract is not necessarily indicative of Crohn's disease. Because the symptomology of the two diseases is similar, often overlapping, an immediate or timely diagnosis may be complicated by the ambiguity inherent in the two diseases. A battery of tests may be necessary to isolate the exact cause of the discomfort.
General Symptomology
Some of the shared or related symptomology of Colitis and Crohn's disease are as follows:
? Diarrhea (with blood)
? Abdominal Cramps
? Fever
? Low Energy
? Limited or loss of appetite
? Weight Loss
? Constipation
External manifestations include:
? Skin Rashes
? Arthritis
? Inflammation of the Eye
As you can plainly see, the symptoms of Colitis or Crohn's disease are rather general and depending on severity or how they manifest, it could be related to some other cause. This is one reason why testing may be indicated.
Differentiation
Both Colitis and Crohn's disease exhibit inflammation of tissues. With respect to Crohn's disease, the affected area is usually the large intestine. This is not, however, a hard and fast diagnosis. It can affect the stomach, appendix, esophagus, duodenum, anus, and large intestine. It is not a surface affliction, it is often penetrative, deep within the tissue. This is probably the single most significant aspect of the disease. It relegates surgery to a treatment of the condition rather than a cure. The affected area in the case of Colitis is usually confined to the colon and can be operated on with the distinct possibility of eliminating the condition.
To complicate the issue, not only is the physical manifestation of the Colitis and Crohn's disease similar, the psychological component is often similar as well. As remission and flare-ups can occur, so too does the depression and deterioration of the sense of well-being.
Treatment
Treatment for Colitis (surgery) and Crohn's disease can be similar but where Colitis can be cured through surgery, there is no known cure for Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is chronic and episodic. Because the affected area is so deep and wide spread in Crohn's disease, surgery is used only as an ameliorative tool. The goal of treatment in Crohn's disease is to place the disease into remission and then to maintain this state through the application of drugs such as aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and also antibiotics.
Bottom-Line
Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis appear similar. Both affect people in their teens and twenties. Both concern the inflammation of tissue. Both affect many of the same symptoms. However, Colitis is curable through surgery but Crohn's disease is chronic, episodic, and without cure. With proper treatment, diet management, prescribed medication, most sufferers can live a normal productive life. The incidence of mortality directly related to Crohn's disease is very low.
Disclaimer
The intent of this article is to inform and illuminate. At no time is this information represented as medical advice. Before acting on this or any information that may affect your health and well-being, please consult with a certified medical professional.
Colitis And Crohn's Disease
You can have Crohn's disease for quite a long time before your doctor figures out what is wrong with you and gives you the correct diagnosis. This is because the disease has many confusing symptoms, and it can be diagnosed as many other things before the true cause of your misery is found. Your pain and problems may not make any sense until the true diagnosis of Crohn's is made. You may find that the treatments you are getting from your doctor are not enough for you, or you may find that you cannot get relief not matter what you try. Some patients begin to wonder if acupuncture and crohns relief might be things that can go together.
Crohn's disease can be diagnosed at almost any point during adulthood, but there the majority of sufferers find out they have it when they are teenagers. When one or both parents have Crohn's disease, it is likely that their children may develop it also. Ongoing studies are suggesting that Crohn's might also be a result of environment, as spouses are occasionally diagnosed. This would mean it is not just a genetic disease. In most cases, your diagnosis will mean changes in your lifestyle, but it is not normally fatal. There are drugs that are proven to help some patients, but others are looking for a different, more natural approach. This is when they may turn to acupuncture.
This practice has been around for centuries, and has helped patients with the symptoms of Crohn's. You won't know if it will help you unless you try it. This from of alternative medicine is based on the theory that the body is a mass of energy, and there are energy channels running through the body. These are called meridians. When they become blocked for any reason, the energy cannot run freely. This stops the body from healing itself, and that can lead to many health problems. Acupuncture uses tiny needles to activate points along these different meridians to release the energy so that it flows freely and allows the body to regain its balance.
Severe weight loss is a huge problem with those who have Crohn's. The intestines are often the main focus for the disease, and this is why many vitamins and nutrients are not absorbed into the body. Calories are not absorbed, and the body is just not getting what it needs to function properly. Crohn's does not just affect the intestines, however, as it can flare up at point along the digestive tract. When acupuncture is performed on someone with Crohn's disease, the points chosen for the needles will be those that lie along the meridians relating to the digestive system. The points can also be stimulated with the skilled hands of a chiropractor, where pressure rather than needles are used to stimulate the body.
The jury is out as to whether acupuncture and Crohns go together, but there are many that swear by this type of therapy. The best way to find out if it will work for you is to try for yourself. You can usually find a qualified acupuncturist in your own community. Keep in mind that you should continue to seek medical treatment while you are undoing acupuncture and crohns treatment to be sure your body is getting what it needs. Also remember to communicate how you are feeling with both your doctor and acupuncturist to ensure they both know your current condition.
Both Dean Deal & Sharon Dobson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dean Deal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Crohns Disease, Gardening and Travel and Leisure. Dean Deal is a successful Internet marketer, the founder and CEO of Live Long, Well! LLC, an information marketing company. Please visit Crohn's Disease Journal your b. Dean Deal's top article generates over 4400 views. Bookmark Dean Deal to your Favourites.
Sharon Dobson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Crohns Disease, Health and Crohns Disease. By Sharon Dobson. Sign up for a free newsletter about managing Crohn's Disease naturally and discover more on. Sharon Dobson's top article generates over 4400 views. Bookmark Sharon Dobson to your Favourites.
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