Crohn’s disease may not be a life-threatening condition, but for many patients it can change lifestyle so significantly that a “normal” lifestyle becomes impossible.
Sure, many of us suffer indigestion from time to time, but life with Crohn’s disease can mean making sure of always knowing where the nearest bathroom is, not knowing when sudden flare-ups can interfere with daily schedules, and cause health complications as the disease progresses.
As an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) similar to ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Although ulcerative colitis mostly affects the large colon, Crohn’s disease affects the small intestine and can spread into deep layers.
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t clear. While scientists once though diet and stress were factors, more recent research suggests that the body’s immune response is what triggers symptoms. The disease may have a hereditary aspect, but Crohn’s disease caused the body’s immune system to attack its own cells in the digestive tract.
Symptoms typically include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in your stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
Crohn’s disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications, but even when the disease isn’t too serious it makes daily life a chore. Patients must:
- Cope with dietary challenges to carefully manage food intake
- Need frequent bathroom visits that can make social events awkward
- Suffer fatigue that can interfere with work, school, and other activities
This is why many Crohn’s disease patients suffer not only physical symptoms, but also feelings of isolation with a tendency to be less active, which can impact health.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recently held its (name of conference we are promoting with link) to help patients and their families better understand treatment options and how new research may offer even more effective treatments. This research is important because while current treatments that are usually offered can help some patients, others can continue to suffer from severe symptoms.
Treatment options for Crohn’s disease
One goal of medical treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers symptoms. The first treatment options are usually medications. These include anti-inflammatory medications, including corticosteroids or even immune suppressors such as Azathioprine and mercaptopurine
These medications may help relieve many symptoms, but patients may suffer serious side effects. Or medications may become less effective over time.
Biologics such as Vedolizumab or Ustekinumab may also be prescribed because they target specific immune system proteins. Some patients take antibiotics because some research suggests they can reduce bacteria that cause inflammation.
But no medication or biologic can do much more than relieve symptoms. They do not actually repair damaged digestive tissue or slow the disease process.
Your doctor may recommend nutrition therapy – a special diet, even given by a feeding tube. This can improve overall nutrition and allow the bowel to rest and reduce inflammation in the short term.
When medications become ineffective, the only standard treatment option is surgery. Nearly half of patients with Crohn’s disease require at least one surgery. During surgery damaged portions of the digestive tract are removed and then reconnected to healthy sections. The benefits of surgery for Crohn’s disease are usually temporary. The disease often recurs, frequently near the reconnected tissue.
Unfortunately without effective treatment, complications can develop that can seriously impact overall health throughout the body.
Complications from digestive diseases
Chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to a range of potential issues. complications often seen in patients with Crohn’s disease:
- Bowel obstruction. Over time, parts of the bowel can scar and narrow, which may cause a stricture that blocks the flow of digestive contents.
- Fistulas. Sometimes ulcers can extend completely through the intestinal wall, creating a fistula — an abnormal connection between different parts of the body, for example between intestine and another organ. These can cause serious infections.
- Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping may make it difficult to enough nutrients to keep you healthy and even develop amenia.
- Colon cancer. Crohn’s disease increases risk of colon cancer so more frequent screenings becomes necessary.
How stem cells can help when other treatments fail
At BioXcellerator, we treat many patients with Crohn’s disease. Current treatments merely address symptoms, but do not help regenerate damaged tissue or help restore immune function. Yet ongoing research into regenerative medicine shows that mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue administered intravenously – in combination with a holistic approach to treatment – can:
- Reduce symptoms of Crohn’s, including cramping and pain
- Reduce the frequency of bowel movements and bloody stools
- Repair and regenerate damaged gastrointestinal tissue
Based on our proprietary protocols, these cells are cultured and expanded and tested to
make sure they meet high standards for purity and potency and can offer:
- High levels of anti-inflammatory properties
- Best potential to modulate your immune system
- More potential to stimulate healing
We have treated many patients for Crohn’s disease and other digestive conditions.
Colby Baughan says that he has suffered from Crohn’s Disease since he was nine and was treated at our clinic.
As he explains, “I’ve tried every medication possible. I’ve read that stem cells can help and searched for how to get the best cells. BioXcellerator came up everywhere. And I’ve had some friends come here who’ve had amazing results.”
He says he will return for more treatments because “I’ve got issues with my ankles and back and I want to get my life back—go after my goals and dreams.”
Another patient we treated, Kevin Feng, points out that Crohn’s disease “is a stressful disorder and there’s no cure for it. My entire body was inflamed. You also can’t eat. So I was literally eating boiled, blended cauliflower and carrots almost two months in a row.”
But after treatment he said, “I felt effects starting actually just two weeks in. I noticed my inflammation just going down. Within three or four months I was almost close to back to normal. I put on about probably close to 25 or 30 pounds, mostly just muscle weight. It’s fantastic.
Improve your quality of life or help a loved one who suffers from Crohn’s disease. Learn how stem cells can help relieve the symptoms and possibly regenerate damaged tissue and improve overall health.
