| We have covered the long-term effects of Crohn's | | | | best way to treat this predator is with medications and |
| disease is the previous entries, but maybe the worst | | | | the advice of an experienced doctor. |
| side effect is the onset of arthritis. There are three | | | | The first kind of spinal arthritis causes pain and |
| different kinds of arthritis that are common among | | | | stiffness in the lower spine and the joints in the lower |
| long-term Crohn's sufferers, two that affects the spine | | | | back. Studies have shown that with younger sufferers |
| and another type that affects large joints, such as the | | | | of Crohn's, this type of arthritis can show up months or |
| knees. | | | | possibly years before the more traditional symptoms. |
| Arthritis is broadly defined as a group of conditions that | | | | Unlike the joint arthritis, permanent damage to the |
| affect the joints of the body. It is the leading cause of | | | | bones of the spinal column can happen if left |
| disability for people over the age of 65. It causes | | | | untreated, requiring the vertebrae to be fused. This |
| swelling, nagging pain and a reduction in flexibility that | | | | results in a severe loss in the range of motion in the |
| can turn into a complete loss of flexibility. In Crohn's | | | | back. Luckily, this form of arthritis tends to go away |
| patients, arthritis will be a reality for about 25 percent | | | | after age 40. |
| of sufferers. | | | | The final common form of arthritis associated with |
| In most cases, the arthritis begins to manifest itself | | | | Crohn's also affects the spine. This rare form (2-3 |
| after the onset of the other intestinal and | | | | percent of Crohn's suffers) not only causes the aching |
| gastronomical symptoms, but there have been rare | | | | and possible deformity if left untreated in the spine, but |
| cases where the arthritis actually happens first. What | | | | also inflammation in the eyes, heart valves and lungs. |
| makes this form of arthritis so devastating is that once | | | | It's believed that this form of arthritis is genetic, but |
| it has begun, there isn't any real way to contain it, even | | | | there has been little study on the subject. Therapy has |
| if you are able to contain your Crohn's flare-ups. | | | | shown to help stave off the affects of this form of |
| The joint-oriented arthritis is the least sinister of the | | | | arthritis, but it appears that a fused spine is an |
| three and usually flares up at the same time as the | | | | inevitability. |
| associated Crohn's does. The joint arthritis doesn't | | | | The best way to treat these forms of arthritis is to |
| normally lead to permanent deformity, but damage to | | | | treat the gastronomical symptoms that are more |
| the joints over a long period of time is common. This | | | | widely associated with Crohn's disease. Ending a |
| form of arthritis targets the elbows, wrists, knees and | | | | flare-up isn't guaranteed to lessen the arthritis |
| angles. The arthritis is said to be "migratory", which | | | | symptoms, but it's the best method doctors have at |
| means that it moves from joint to joint to joint as time | | | | the moment. Consult your doctor to find out what |
| goes by. X-rays and blood tests are common ways | | | | treatment methods are best for your particular case. |
| to diagnose the existence of this form of arthritis. The | | | | |