Crohn’s Disease in Scottsdale, AZ
The Scottsdale Stem Cell Treatment Center offers treatment for Crohn’s disease to the residents of Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the surrounding Arizona communities.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. The condition may cause fatigue, malnutrition, weight loss, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea. The disease can affect different parts of the digestive tract, and the inflammation often spreads deep into the layers of the bowel tissue.
Crohn’s can be debilitating and painful, and sometimes it cause life-threatening complications. There is no known cure for the condition, but therapies can significantly reduce the signs and symptoms. Certain therapies may even result in long-term remission of the disease. With proper treatment, many people afflicted with Crohn’s disease can have well-functioning digestive systems.
What Causes Crohn’s Disease?
The precise cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. While stress and diet were previously suspected, medical professionals now know these factors may only trigger the symptoms rather than cause the underlying condition. Several other factors, such as a malfunctioning immune system or congenital traits, are likely to contribute to the disease’s development.
- Immune System: Bacteria or viruses may be triggers for the development of Crohn’s. When the immune system tries to fight invading microorganisms, an abnormal immune response makes the immune system attack cells in the digestive tract as well.
- Congenital Traits: Crohn’s disease occurs more often in people whose family members are also afflicted with the condition, leading medical professionals to believe genes could play a role in making some individuals more susceptible. However, more people with no family history of the disease have it than those who do have a family history.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
The two most common places that are affected by Crohn’s disease are the ileum and colon. Only the last part of the small intestine (the ileum) is affected in some people who suffer from Crohn’s disease. In others, the condition may be confined to the section of the large intestine known as the colon.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease can range from moderate to severe. Although symptoms most often develop gradually, sufferers could experience sudden symptoms. Some individuals have also been known to experience periods of remission when they have no symptoms. The symptoms that could occur when Crohn’s disease is active include the following:
- Abdominal Pain and Cramping: Ulceration and inflammation in the digestive tract can affect the normal movement of contents and cause pain and cramping. Sufferers of Crohn’s could have anything from slight discomfort to severe pain as well as vomiting and nausea.
- Blood in Stools: Some individuals may notice bright red blood in the toilet when they have bowel movements or dark blood mixed in with their stools. Occult blood, which is bleeding that cannot be seen, could also occur.
- Diarrhea: A common problems among Crohn’s sufferers is diarrhea, and intense intestinal cramping can contribute to loose stools.
- Fatigue and Fever: While some individuals can have low energy or feel tired, many experience low-grade fevers because of the infection or inflammation.
- Mouth Sores: Some people with Crohn’s disease develop ulcers similar to canker sores in their mouths.
- Reduced Appetite and Weight Loss: Pain and cramping in the abdomen and inflammation in the bowel tissue can affect the appetite of sufferers as well as their ability to digest and absorb food.
- Perianal Disease: Pain or drainage around or near the anus could occur because of inflammation from a tunnel into the fistula (skin).
Other Signs and Symptoms
People who have severe Crohn’s disease might also experience the following:
- Delayed sexual development or growth (children)
- Inflammation of the eyes, joints, and skin
- Inflammation of the bile ducts or liver
Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Although conclusive results are still under evaluation, researchers believe SVF cells are effective in treating Crohn’s disease. The anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and immunosuppressant characteristics in the cells work together to enhance the process of healing in Crohn’s sufferers. SVF cell treatment is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and only takes a few hours.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, please contact us at Scottsdale Stem Cell to find out whether STV or another form of stem cell treatment is right for you and your unique condition.