Crohn’s disease is a chronic disorder that can cause irritation and inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract, from the mouth all the way to the anus. It develops most frequently in the colon and small intestine.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, it is likely that Crohn’s disease develops due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. This broad range of factors gives researchers many areas in which to search for a cure.
In this article, we take a look at the current research into a cure for Crohn’s disease, as well as the best treatment options that are available at present.
Current research into a cure
Scientists are currently exploring many different options to try to find a Crohn’s disease cure.
Researchers are exploring links between Crohn’s disease and a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP). These bacteria cause Johne’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract in cows that has similar effects to Crohn’s disease in humans.
MAP bacteria are also more likely to be present in the blood cells of people with Crohn’s disease than in those of people who do not have this condition.
If MAP bacteria also cause intestinal inflammation in humans and might lead people to develop Crohn’s disease, creating an antibiotic to attack MAP bacteria could have benefits for people with this condition.
Some researchers are using this approach to study a new medication called RHB-104. An earlier study found that people with Crohn’s disease who took this antibiotic reported a positive impact on their symptoms after 18 weeks, but no overall positive change after 2 years. Further research is necessary, but the results so far show potential.
Other scientists are exploring the ecology of the human microbiome, which refers to the millions of bacteria that are present throughout the human body and particularly in the digestive tract. One theory is that changes to these bacteria could relate to changes in the gut.
Chronic inflammation is a key aspect of Crohn’s disease. As a result, many researchers are interested in exploring the different ways that inflammation develops in the body and finding new techniques to counteract it.
For example, one medication called vedolizumab can specifically prevent white blood cells from attacking the bowel wall. In one study, researchers used vedolizumab to treat people who had not seen any improvement from a standard first-line treatment. The results showed that the drug was no better than a placebo after 6 weeks, but that some benefits occurred after 10 weeks.
While there is not yet a cure for Crohn’s disease, people with this condition may find that certain lifestyle changes can make their symptoms more manageable.
For example, lowering stress levels can help reduce the frequency of flare-ups and make it easier for people to live with their illness.
Living with an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s can be challenging and stressful at times. As a result, many people with the condition practice a variety of stress reduction techniques, including:
- progressive muscle relaxation
- diaphragmatic breathing
- yoga
- tai chi
- meditation
- biofeedback
- cognitive behavioral therapy
Quitting smoking is particularly important for people with Crohn’s disease as tobacco use is a controllable risk factor that can make the disease more severe.
Some people with Crohn’s disease find it helpful to limit their intake of dairy products, especially if they are intolerant to lactose.
It is best to avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, because these can make Crohn’s disease worse in some people.
Outlook
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition. This means that, although it is treatable, there is currently no cure.
The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease typically occurs between the ages of 15 and 35. The condition does not usually shorten life expectancy, and most people with Crohn’s disease enjoy full and rewarding lives.
Research indicates that the areas of the body where Crohn’s disease is active rarely change over time.
However, the progress of the disease is different in every individual. Some people may have long periods of remission while others will experience more frequent flare-ups.
One study found that, over the course of their lifetime, people with Crohn’s disease condition spent an average of:
- 24 percent of the time in remission
- 27 percent of the time with mild cases of the disease
- 8 percent of the time with various severe forms of the disease or in surgery
- 41 percent of the time in remission after surgery
Even though a cure for Crohn’s disease remains elusive, researchers have found that once a year has passed since diagnosis, most people begin to spend more time in remission. Many people also see a drop in the frequency of their severe flare-ups.
Source: Read Full Article