CROHN'S DISEASE
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Morbus Crohn
Morbus Crohn, like ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It is a complex barrier disease in which the protective function of the intestinal mucosa, which normally acts as a barrier against bacteria and foreign substances, is disrupted. This disorder, combined with the reduced ability of certain cells to recognize and fight bacteria, allows bacteria to invade the intestines, which in turn results in an immune reaction and the inflammation that is triggered. This long-term inflammation ultimately leads to tissue damage.
In contrast to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease can manifest itself in the entire digestive tract from the oral cavity to the anus, often affecting the lower section of the small intestine or large intestine. Another important feature of Crohn's disease is that, unlike ulcerative colitis, the inflammation affects all layers of the wall. As a result, the inflammation can spread more quickly into adjacent tissue structures and organs (such as the urinary bladder, ovaries and uterus) and cause abscesses or fistulas, which make therapy more difficult and further limit the quality of life of those affected.
Morbus Crohn
Causes of Morbus Crohn's disease
Causes of Morbus Crohn's disease
In the past, Morbus Crohn's disease was classified as a classic autoimmune disease, but we now know that it is actually an immune-associated disease. This means that the immune response that contributes to inflammation is not innate to the body, as is the case with autoimmune diseases.
The exact causes of Crohn's disease are still not fully understood. However, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases always have complex backgrounds.
Genetic predisposition
In some cases of the disease there is a hereditary component. Mutations in certain genes that affect immune system function, intestinal barrier function, or inflammatory response may increase susceptibility to Crohn's disease. For example, changes in genes such as NOD2 and ATG16L1 have been linked to an increased risk of Crohn's disease. About half of patients with Crohn's disease have changes in the NOD2 gene. The level of risk depends on how severe the changes are and whether both genes are affected.
immune system
It is assumed that there is a disorder in the interaction between the intestinal immune system and the bacterial intestinal flora. Common intestinal bacteria invade the lining of the intestine, triggering an excessive immune response. Immune cells penetrate the tissue and continuously release inflammatory messenger substances. The immune system can also attack healthy tissue. In addition to the typical signs of inflammation, cell death and changes in tissue lead to progressive damage to the intestines. Numerous inflammatory messenger substances prevent the immune response from calming down, as happens in healthy people. The immune system remains in a persistently active state.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors can play a role in the development and progression of Crohn's disease. Although the exact causes of Crohn's disease are not yet fully understood, studies have shown that several factors may contribute to this condition:
⎯⎯•Smoke
Smoking is a known risk factor for Crohn's disease. Studies have shown that smokers are almost twice as likely to develop Crohn's disease and that smoking can worsen the disease.
⎯⎯•Altered intestinal flora
A disturbed intestinal flora, i.e. the microbial balance in the intestine, can play a role in the development of Crohn's disease. Studies show that certain bacterial strains are more common in people with Crohn's disease and that the intestinal flora can become unbalanced
⎯⎯•Nutrition
Although no specific diet has been identified as a cause of Crohn's disease, there is evidence that a Western diet high in saturated fat, sugar, and processed foods may increase the risk of Crohn's disease. A low-fiber diet could also play a role.
⎯⎯•Environmental toxins
It is thought that certain environmental toxins such as pesticides, chemicals and heavy metals may play a role in the development of Crohn's disease. Studies have shown that people living in developed countries are more likely to be affected by the disease.
⎯⎯•Psychological stress
Although psychological stress is not the direct cause of Crohn's disease, stress and emotional stress can worsen the course of the disease and trigger flare-ups.
It is important to note that these environmental factors do not affect all people with Crohn's disease equally. The exact connections and individual triggers can vary from person to person.
Symptoms of Morbus Crohn
Morbus Crohn often begins gradually. The disease progresses in episodes and symptoms can flare up and subside again and again.
The most common symptoms are:
⎯⎯• Crampy abdominal pain
⎯⎯• Chronic diarrhea (sometimes with
⎯⎯• Blood in the stool when the colon is severely affected
⎯⎯• Fever
⎯⎯• nausea
⎯⎯• Vomit
⎯⎯• Loss of appetite
⎯⎯• weight loss
If Crohn's disease has been present for a long time, not only the intestine is often affected, but also other organs. Possible symptoms are then:
⎯⎯• skin rash
⎯⎯• Joint pain and swelling
⎯⎯• Red eyes
⎯⎯• Liver and gallbladder problems
⎯⎯• Sore spots on the anus, sometimes also anal fissures
Treatment of Morbus Crohn
The Treatment for Morbus Crohn usually involves a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Medications used to treat Crohn's disease include anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics. Additionally, making changes to dietary habits, avoiding certain foods, and taking supplements can help improve symptoms.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to prevent complications such as intestinal obstruction, fistulas or abscesses. However, when deciding to have surgery, people usually try to preserve the intestines as much as possible and only remove the affected areas.
It is important to note that Crohn's disease is a chronic disease and there is no cure. Treatment aims to control symptoms, achieve remissions and slow disease progression to improve patients' quality of life.
INUSpheresis®
INUSpheresis® for Morbus Crohn
INUSpheresis® is a special blood plasma purification therapy that can be used for various diseases, including Crohn's disease. This therapy can help to specifically remove inflammatory substances, immune complexes, autoantibodies and harmful substances from the blood. By using innovative filters, the healthy components of the blood are preserved. The aim of therapy is to effectively alleviate chronic inflammation and the associated symptoms by washing out the corresponding inflammatory mediators and immune complexes. After INUSpherese® treatment, a significant reduction in inflammatory messengers such as CRP or TNF-a can be detected in the blood.
ELLANN® is one of the few certified centers in Germany that offer INUSpherese® therapy. It is important to us to provide our patients with the best possible support in freeing their bodies from stress that causes illness and thus promoting their health.
⎯⎯• Allergies
⎯⎯• Lyme disease
⎯⎯• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
⎯⎯• Chronic hepatitis C
⎯⎯• Hashimoto
⎯⎯• Hyperlipidemia
⎯⎯• Crohn's disease
⎯⎯• multiple sclerosis
⎯⎯• Multiple Chemical Hyper-
sensitivity syndrome (MCS)
⎯⎯• Parkinson's
⎯⎯• Post-COVID syndrome
⎯⎯• Post-vac syndrome
⎯⎯• Rheumatism (chronic inflammatory)
⎯⎯• Heavy metal poisoning
⎯⎯• and more
INUSpheresis® was developed to remove a variety of disease-promoting substances and toxic substances from the blood. These include environmental toxins, heavy metals, allergens, metabolic products, inflammatory messengers, infection toxins and harmful proteins. Specially developed filters make it possible to specifically filter out these pollutants while preserving healthy components of the blood. INUSpherese® does not affect your vaccination protection because antibodies and immune cells that are responsible for your vaccination protection are preserved. This makes INUSpheresis® an extremely effective method for cleaning blood plasma and supporting general well-being and health.
INUSpheresis® is not a conventional blood wash or plasma exchange method. It is also not dialysis, in which urinary substances are filtered out. INUSpheresis® is characterized by the targeted removal of harmful substances, while essential and healthy components of your blood remain untouched. This includes vital electrolytes, proteins, nutrients, blood cells and antibodies. The use of specially developed filters ensures that only pathogenic contamination is removed during the treatment. This makes the treatment particularly gentle and generally very well tolerated.
The number of INUSpherese® treatments required depends on your individual health status and health goals. A basic cycle of two treatments within 48 hours is recommended. For more intensive needs, such as extensive heavy metal elimination or complex clinical pictures, a third and even fourth treatment session every 6 to 7 weeks can make sense. Your personal treatment plan will be drawn up by our doctors after a detailed consultation.
An INUSpherese® therapy, which consists of two treatments, accompanying infusion concepts and a preparatory medical consultation, is usually priced between €5,400 and €5,700. This cost information is intended to serve as a rough guide, as the exact investment can vary depending on your individual health condition and any additional therapy options. As part of the therapy planning, you will receive detailed advice and a detailed cost overview that is individually tailored to your health goals.