• Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease in which there is inflammation of the digestive tract. The parts of digestive tract involved vary from person to person.
• The inflammation involves deeper layers of the alimentary tract. Most commonly affected areas of the gut are small and large intestine.
• Crohn’s disease can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, malnutrition and rapid weight loss. There can occur flare up episodes also.
• It is a lifetime condition, means there is no permanent cure of it. However, with proper treatment the symptoms can be lessened and patient can perform the daily functions of his life normally.

TYPES OF CROHN’S DISEASE

It is of different types depending on the area in which it is present. Following are the types of crohn’s disease:

Ileocolitis: It is the most common type of crohn’s disease. In this, inflammation occurs in small intestine and a part of large intestine.

Ileitis: Inflammation and swelling in the ileum part of small intestine.

Jejunoileitis: Inflammation present in upper half of small intestine.

Gastroduodenal: Inflammation in the stomach and upper part of small intestine.

CAUSES OF CROHN’S DISEASE

The exact reason of its occurrence is not known. However, there are certain factors which are believed to be its cause:

• A person having a sibling or a close relative suffering from the disease
• Weak immune system makes a person more susceptible to infections, thereby triggering the disease
• Some of the environmental factors

RISK FACTORS OF CROHN’S DISEASE

Following are the risk factors associated with crohn’s disease:

• People of any age can get affected but generally below the age of 30 years are affected the most.
• White people are more affected
• Cigarette smoking
• Taking Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

SYMPTOMS OF CROHN’S DISEASE

People suffering from Crohn’s disease often develop severe symptoms followed by no or mild symptoms. These are called flare ups.

The common signs and symptoms of crohn’s disease are:

• Chronic diarrohea
• Abdominal cramps
• Indigestion
• Feeling of fullness
• Loss of hunger
• Fever
• Anal fissures
• Anal fistulas
• Blood in stools
• Feeling tired
• Mouth sores
• Weight loss
• Anemia

COMPLICATIONS OF CROHN’S DISEASE

Following are the complications which are related with Crohn’s disease:

• Malabsorption
• Abscess
• Strictures
• Skin tags
• Scleritis
• Uveitis
• Arthritis
• Kidney stones
• Hydronephrosis
• Gall stones
• Delayed puberty

DIAGNOSIS OF CROHN’S DISEASE

The doctor will take the complete medical history of the patient. He will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease.

He may also suggest some of the following tests:

• Blood tests
• Stool test
• Endoscopy
• CT scan
• MRI

TREATMENT OF CROHN’S DISEASE

The medicines which are used for the treatment of Crohn’s disease are:

• Antibiotics
• Corticosteroids
• Immune system modifiers
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

 AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF CROHN’S DISEASE

According to Ayurveda, Crohn’s disease comes under Grahani. There is vitiation of the three doshas – vata, pitta nad kapha. The main reason of its occurrence is mandagni/poor appetite and poor digestion.

However, it can be managed by some of the lifestyle and dietary changes.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDA CENTER’S MEDICATIONS FOR CROHN’S DISEASE

Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayruveda Center for the treatment of Crohn’s disease:

• DETOX PREMIUM POWDER

These herbal sachets are prepared from ingredients such as Shankh bhasma, Sutshekhar ras, Parvalpishti, Shukta, Giloy, Kamdudha ras, Shvetparpati that gives calming effect on the stomach.

Shankh bhasma: This ayurvedic bhasma is prepared from conch shell. The bhasma shows antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antacid, digestive stimulant properties. The problems like indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, etc are easily treated with it.

Sutshekhar ras: It is an ayurvedic preparation that maintains pitta dosha in the body. This ras provides effective results in abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, fever, headache, epigastric tenderness, etc.

Parval pishti: This pishti is prepared from coral calcium processed in rose water. It provides effective results in acidity, burning sensation, headache, etc.

Shukta pishti: This pishti balances the pitta dosha in the body and removes all toxins from the body.

Giloy satv: Giloy satv possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, immunomodulator, etc properties. It eliminates the ama from body hence provide good results in acidity problem.

Kamdudha ras: This ras reduces heat, burning sensation, epigastrium tenderness, irritability, heartburn, and acidity.

Shwet parpati: It is also effective in acidity.

Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily.

• KUTAJ GHAN VATI

Kutaj Ghan vati is purely herbal formulation. It is very useful in curing diarrhea, intestinal infection, and dysentery. These herbal tablets deal with all signs & symptoms related to diarrhea patients. Kutaj ghan vati contains ingredients like Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) that manage the symptoms like abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, general weakness, fatigue, etc. The herbs in these tablets show antioxidant, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, etc properties.

Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice a day before meal with water.

• DIGESTION SUPPORT TABLET

This tablet is unique blend of best digestive herbs like kutaz chal, bilav, dhania, mustak, shankh bhasm, piper mint, and dadim that maintain natural Ph balance in the stomach and aid digestion of all types of food. The herbs present in this control acidity, gas, flatulence and constipation.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

• SHEET DHARA SYRUP

As the name suggests sheet dhara, it provides a cooling effect to the body. This herbal syrup is prepared from ingredients like Ajwain satv, Mushk Kapoor, Peppermint. These all in combination reduce hyperacidity problem & maintains healthy digestion.

Recommended Dosage: Mix 1 teaspoonful of this syrup in 30ml water & drink early in the morning on an empty stomach.

• PANCHSAKAR CHURNA

This is classical herbal churna prepared from ingredients such as Saindhavan Lavana (Rock Salt), Swarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia), Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa), Shunti (Zingiber officinale), Balaharitaki (Terminalia chebula). These all in combination deal with problems like loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, constipation, weak digestion, etc.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful at bedtime with lukewarm water.

• PURAN PACHAK

Puran Pachak is a herbo-mineral Syrup of 200 ml and is Purely Ayurvedic formulation. CAC Puran Pachak syrup helps in Digestion, Supports the Digestive system, and Maintains the doshas in our body. It also helps to remove out impurities or ama from the body. This syrup reduce the Acidity, Detoxify the blood and also Supports the body health. It shows Antacid, Digestive, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Expectorant, and Antioxidant properties. This syrup is made up of pure ayurvedic herbs such as Mulethi, Saunf, Vasakha, Ajwayan, Prpati etc. that helps to maintain the Digestive system and in the body.

Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

• PITTASHEKHAR RASA

These are herbal tablets prepared from ingredients like Sootshekhar rasa, Bilva majja, Kalmegha, Shankha bhasma, Kapardika bhasma, etc. that balances pitta dosha in the body. Regular use of these tablets improves digestion, enhances appetite, carminative, reduces acidity, prevents gastric ulcers, reduces heartburn, acts as a laxative, & reduces pain in the abdomen, etc.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.