Crohns Disease
by Hong Curley
in Bowel, Diet, Health, TCM
Don’t take a diarrhea attack lightly. Aside from causing dehydration, chronic loose bowel movement and watery stools may be an indication of the serious inflammatory disorder known as Crohns disease. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of your gastrointestinal system, starting from the mouth and all the way down to the rectum, but it is most often seen in the lower portion of the small intestine. This disease seems to run in families and its symptoms may be experienced by both men and women between the ages of 18 and 30.
Signs and symptoms
Crohn's Disease - Human Digestive System
Aside from abdominal pain and diarrhea, the following are the usual symptoms of Crohns disease:
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Arthritis
- Skin problems
- Inflammation of the eyes
Causes of Crohn’s Disease
While studies have yet to confirm its real causes, a combination of any of the following may lead to Crohn’s disease:
- Heredity
- Environmental factors
- Infections caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungi
- Dysfunctional immune system
- Stress
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that poor liver function or chronic liver qi (energy) stagnation causes gastrointestinal problems. The liver is in charge of producing bile, a digestive enzyme that aids the small intestines during digestion. When your liver is not functioning well, it may produce more bile than is needed by your intestine causing diarrhea.
