Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus, with common symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and weight loss. The exact causes are not well understood, but they may involve genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors. Treatment options include medications to reduce inflammation and diet modifications, although success varies and the efficacy of specific dietary interventions needs further research.

1. WHAT IS CROHN’S DISEASE?
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Crohn’s disease refers to an inflammation of the digestive tract. The
disease is chronic. It affects the digestive tract (gastro-intestinal
tract) anywhere from the mouth to the anus. An estimated 25% of
patients who develop Crohn’s disease develop it in childhood.
Patients should see a physician if they develop common symptoms
of the disease such as diarrhea, fever and fatigue, blood in stool,
mouth sores, reduced appetite and weight loss, and inflammation in
the anus or nearby areas. These symptoms can cause slight
discomfort or even severe pain. Children and adolescents are at a
higher risk of developing the disease. Further research is needed to
determine whether there are ethnic or gender differences in
developing the disease.

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Radiology techniques such as conventional enteroclysis,
ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic
resonance imaging can be used to evaluate Crohn’s
Disease (CD). Some methods are preferable to others
because they allow the evaluation of the small bowel that is
often affected over 80% of the time.
Treatment of Crohn’s disease may be challenging as the
causes of the disease are not well understood. Perhaps the
disease occurs as a culmination of genetic, environmental,
and immunologic factors.

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It is possible that some hosts are genetically
susceptible, although it is unclear how or why they are
more susceptible. Overall, it is possible that the
development of the disease depends on the
interactions between diet, the intestinal wall, and the
permeability of the intestinal wall. Some research
studies suggest that both extremes of weight (low
body mass index or high body mass index) may be
associated with the disease and that patients at either
extreme are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease.
These results indicate a U-shaped relationship with
Crohn’s Disease, with risk being highest in those with
low Body Mass Index (BMI) and very high BMI.

5. Treatments for Crohn’s Disease include
glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and
biologic agents. These are primarily directed against the
inflammatory process of the disease. Their role is to
reduce inflammation, slow down disease progression, and
maintain remission.
Additionally, personal dietary intervention has been used
to treat Crohn’s Disease although the degree of success
has been variable. Thus far, very few diets have improved
disease outcomes in a clinical setting and perhaps
molecular nutrition interventions could be more useful.

6. Exclusion diets that eliminate all food types and
introduce new foods one at a time may be used to
assess clinical response to diet modification. However
these have not been rigorously studied, in part
because exclusion diets tend to be complex and time-
consuming and in part because patients are less likely
to comply with these restrictive diets. Preliminary
studies indicate that the exclusion of red meat and
other forms of animal protein appear may be
beneficial and that an increased diet rich in fiber may
not be helpful.

7. In summary, it is important for researchers to continue
investigating the precise dietary components that help
mitigate or treat the disease. It is also important for
researchers to develop methods to better understand how
the disease develops.

8. Call Your GI Doctor
If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms be sure to call your
GI doctor. These conditions can often be treated effectively with timely
recognition, management and appropriate therapy.
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