What is Crohn’s?
Crohn’s disease is a long-term illness that causes inflammation in the gut. It can affect any part of the digestive system, but most often the ileum (part of the small intestine) and colon. The disease typically follows a chronic course, which gets better and worse, with recurrent relapses or flare-ups of symptoms.
Between one in 1,000 and one in 1,500 people have Crohn’s disease in the UK. The symptoms of which usually first appear between the ages of 15 and 40. In Europe and North America, it most commonly affects caucasians.
Crohn’s & lactose intolerance
Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease. When Crohn’s involves the small intestine, there may be disruption of lactase production, causing lactose intolerance.
This type of lactose intolerance may last only a few weeks, during a relapse, and be completely reversible. However, if significant scarring of the small intestine develops, it may be permanent.
Lactofree allows people with Crohn’s, who may develop lactose intolerance, to remove lactose from their diet while continuing to enjoy real dairy.
Symptoms of Crohn’s
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea (which may be bloody)
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Feeling generally unwell
• Skin rashes
• Rectal bleeding
• Crohn’s may also affect other body tissues and systems causing symptoms in the eyes, joints, skin and liver
Causes of Crohn’s
The precise cause of Crohn’s is unknown. The condition can run in families and is three times more common in smokers. Not smoking may reduce the risk of developing the disease.
For more information on Crohn’s visit www.nhs.uk.