Crohns Disease Surgery Article

Crohn's Disease Surgical Options

Physicians have not been able to determine the cause of Crohn's Disease however, they believe it is a genetic condition. It most commonly affects the lower area of the small intestine or the colon can be affected. The lining of the small intestine swells and causes a tremendous amount of pain.

Some of the symptoms of the disease are severe pain, diarrhea, bleeding, skin problems and possibly weight loss. The bleeding can become very severe and may lead to anemia and other complications. It can be a very serious and debilitating illness.

In any situation surgery is generally regarded as a last resort. It can be risky because there can be unexpected complications and it can be stressful to the body. Everyone is different and responds differently to medications and other forms of treatment. Even when surgery is performed the end results are not guaranteed.

The disease can reach an uncontrollable stage and that is when physicians usually recommend surgery. The disease can cause some very serious complications such as a blockage, perforations, bleeding and other serious symptoms. There is also a possibility of relapse so additional medications are prescribed.

The purpose of the surgery is to control the symptoms so patients are able to live a relatively normal life. The surgery typically involves removing some of the patient's digestive tract. The types of surgery involved include colectomy, surgery for abscesses and fistulas as well as re-section surgery. The percentage of patients that end up having surgery is about 70%. Unfortunately, surgery does not cure the disease.

Re-sectioning the intestine is a very common type of surgery. It involves removing parts of the intestine that have been affected by the disease. It is not uncommon for relapses to occur. The patient will not be completely cured after the surgery as there may be additional complications down the road.

A colectomy involves cutting the colon out. A proctocolectomy involves removing the rectum. A patient must then carry a colostomy bag that collects stool and needs to cleaned out. If a patient is able to retain his rectum, it can be connected to his intestine. This will allow the patient to continue to pass stool.

Abscesses are common with this illness and can be found in the vagina and bladder. They are drained and then removed.

There are no specific foods that cause the disease however, there are foods that exacerbate the symptoms such as dairy products which may cause diarrhea and severe cramping. It is generally recommended that patients eat a well balanced diet and take a multi vitamin daily.

Stress, nervousness and anxiety can make the symptoms worse. So, discuss any unusual symptoms with your physician.