Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic inflammatory processes affecting the inner walls and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. The insidious nature of this disease lies in its ability to spread to all parts of the digestive system and affect the intestines, esophagus, and ileum.
Causes
At this stage of medical science, the causative agent of this disease is not precisely identified, although successful treatment practices with antibacterial medications indicate its infectious nature. Many doctors lean towards the idea that disruptions in the body's immune system and the formation of antibodies that affect intestinal tissues may contribute to the development of Crohn's disease. Risk factors include heredity, allergies, previous viral illnesses, smoking, etc.
Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease in Israel
Due to its widespread manifestation throughout the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn's disease presents very diversely. The most common symptoms accompanying this disease include:
- fever, malaise;
- cramps, abdominal pain;
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- weight loss;
- joint pain;
- fissures, wounds in the anus.
After completing all consultation points at Ichilov, the patient is assigned a comprehensive set of diagnostic procedures:
- Blood test for anemia and infection detection;
- Stool test for hidden blood;
- Flexible rectosigmoidoscopy (using a flexible sigmoidoscope, the specialist examines the lower parts of the intestine and rectum)
- Colonoscopy (examination of the intestine using a thin tube with a special camera and lighting. This method allows monitoring and also taking tissue samples for more detailed analysis)
- CT, PET-CT;
- MRI;
- Double-balloon endoscopy (a more in-depth analysis when affected areas are unreachable by traditional instruments);
- Method of examining the intestine using barium liquid, which shows up during fluoroscopic examination.
Treatment of Crohn's Disease in Israel
After receiving diagnostic results, the patient at Ichilov is assigned an individually tailored treatment course. Typically, specialists at the clinic first prescribe a more conservative treatment, and if it is not possible to neutralize the inflammatory processes, they resort to more complex procedures and surgical intervention.
In pharmacological treatment, specialists at Ichilov mainly use the following groups of medications:
- Various anti-inflammatory agents;
- Corticosteroids;
- Immunosuppressive medications. Also, antibiotics that affect the immune system and suppress pathogenic microflora.
The method of dietary therapy is also used very effectively at Ichilov. A properly selected diet, meal timing, and intervals between meals all help to correct the patient's condition and positively affect the inflammation sites.
In the most complex cases of disease progression and when positive effects from conservative methods are not achieved, Ichilov widely practices various modern and high-tech surgical intervention methods:
- Resection of affected segments of the small intestine;
- Surgery to restore narrowed sections of the intestine;
- Suturing of perforated sections of the intestine;
- Ileostomy or resection of the large intestine with subsequent stool diversion through a colostomy (performed in the most complex cases).