Causes and Symptoms of Crohn's Disease, Enteritis, and Prevention Guidelines

I am trying to write about the causes, symptoms, and intestinal inflammation of Crohn's disease. I think there are many people who do not know much about Crohn's disease. I also didn't know much about Crohn's disease in the past, but now it is a disease I am interested in and know well.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by repeated episodes of intestinal inflammation, leading to diarrhea and abdominal pain. Although a specific cause has not been clearly identified, changes in the environment and a noticeable increase in processed food consumption in modern society have triggered intestinal inflammation, resulting in a rising trend of Crohn's disease.

A few years ago, I had surgery for a condition called fistula, which is one of the hemorrhoids. When I was about to have surgery for the fistula, the doctor told me that there could be various reasons, and that it might be related to men with deep anal canals or influenced by male hormones. During that time, I also learned about Crohn's disease.

Since the main symptoms of Crohn's disease are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, it is often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome, leading to delayed diagnosis. When I was hospitalized, there were cases where patients were diagnosed and treated for Crohn's disease only after the fact. Additionally, the fistula I underwent surgery for is not caused by an anal problem but by inflammation inside the intestine, which can also lead to fistula formation. Therefore, even if a fistula is treated, if the underlying issue is intestinal inflammation, the inflammation can continue to worsen.

Crohn's disease often has symptoms similar to fistulas or irritable bowel syndrome, so diagnosis is often delayed, requiring extra attention.

Crohn's disease requires particular attention to complications, and if a complication leads to intestinal resection surgery, the patient must live with an ostomy. They need to frequently empty the ostomy bag in the bathroom, which can be inconvenient.

As daily preventive measures for managing Crohn's disease, it is advisable to restrict foods that are low in dietary fiber and high in saturated fats and simple sugars. Typical foods include chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cereals, ice cream, biscuits, fruit drinks, chocolates, cakes, jellies, puddings, and brownies.

It's better to avoid processed foods that are generally considered unhealthy. I also really like cereal... but overeating anything isn't good. I hope everyone prevents intestinal inflammation through basic exercise and healthy eating habits.