Crohn's disease also known as ileitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the intestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it usually attacks the colon and the lower part of the small intestine, or the ileum. Crohn's disease may recur after lengthy periods of remission. Children with Crohn's disease may suffer stunted growth and delayed sexual development

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain in the lower right area.
• Diarrhea - sometimes with blood
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sores and abscesses around the anus, which have a discharge.
• Fistulas (abnormal passageways between portions of intestines) are common.
• Intestinal bleeding persistent enough to cause anemia.
• Obstruction of the diseased portions (an emergency situation).

Causes:

• The real cause of Crohn's Disease is still unknown, but there is a hereditary tendency. Studies found that about 20% of those who have Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Some cases are triggered by gastroenteritis.
• Some scientists believe that the immune system is affected by a virus or a bacterium that triggers an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall.
• Symptoms can occur in periods of unusual or prolonged stress.

Tips on how to prevent and treat mild cases of Crohn's disease:

• Eating six or more small meals a day will less likely provoke symptoms than having three large ones.
• Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly in order to improve digestion.
• Eat plenty of lean meat, fish, and poultry for the protein necessary for healing.
• Take vitamin and mineral supplement to make sure you get complete nutrients that your body needs to overcome any diseases.
• Fiber is an important addition to the diet of a person with Crohn's disease because its bulking effect aids in the elimination of foods and toxins which may aggravate symptoms.
• Take fish oil supplement. Fish oil is one of the best natural remedies for Crohn's Disease. Not only has fish oil shown to help lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health, it is also a natural anti-inflammatory that will help to calm the entire digestive tract. Fish oil also provides vitamin D essential for calcium absorption. Once the calcium level in the body is improved the immune system will tend to be better regulated.
• Probiotics which contain living healthy bacteria can be taken during Crohn's disease flare ups to help replace the good bacteria that aid in digestion.
• Exercise is one of the best remedies for Crohn's disease, as it not only helps to get things moving through the digestive tract, it also helps to relieve stress which is a major trigger for Crohn's disease symptoms.

Medical treatment:

• In severe cases of Crohn's disease a patient may require total parenteral nutrition (TPN), in which all nutrients are given intravenously. This approach is most beneficial for patients who need to rest their intestinal tract so it can heal or who are unable to absorb enough nourishment from their regular diets. TPN is also beneficial in treating a child whose growth is being stunted by inadequate nutrition. Because it can be administered at home, TPN allows for a more normal lifestyle.
• Surgery is often needed to correct complications, such as an intestinal blockage, perforation, and abscesses. Sometime it is necessary to remove the diseased section of bowel; unfortunately, this does not prevent recurrences in other portion of the intestinal tract.

Avoid:

• Avoiding alcohol is recommended for several reasons: it worsens intestinal bleeding; it lowers the body's immunity; and it can contribute to malnutrition.
• It is important to avoid foods high in saturated and Trans fats, such as red meat and processed foods. Chemical additives, preservative, fertilizers and pesticides may also cause an inflammatory response, so eat organic as often as possible.
• You should also avoid sugars, refined wheat and flours to keep your Crohn's disease under control.