TMJ 'dysfunction' - Health implications

The term. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is used to describe Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease.

Facts and Figures

Together, UC and Crohn’s Disease effect about 1 person in every 250 in the United Kingdom population. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease are chronic (ongoing) conditions, which are not infectious. The most common age for diagnosis is between 10 and 40 (although diagnosis can occur at any age)
In 10-15% of cases, UC and Crohn’s may be difficult to distinguish. Men and women suffer equally.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Affects up to 120,000 people in the UK, that’s about 1 in 500. Between 6,000 and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed each year

Crohn's Disease:
Affects approximately 60,000 people in the UK, that’s about 1 in 1000. Between 3,000 and 6,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Research indicates that the number of people with Crohn’s Disease has been rising steadily, particularly among young people.

It can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. It causes inflammation, deep ulcers and scarring to the wall of the intestine and often occurs in patches. The main symptoms are pains in the abdomen, urgent diarrhoea, general fatigue. Patients additionally may have painful and inflamed joints, skin and eyes

Ulcerative Colitis:
Affects the rectum and sometimes the colon (large intestine). Inflammation and many tiny ulcers develop on the inside lining of the colon, resulting in urgent and bloody diarrhoea, pain and continual tiredness. The condition varies as to how much of the colon is affected. Patients may also have additional symptoms like inflammation in the eyes, skin and joints.

For both illnesses:
The severity of the symptoms fluctuates unpredictably over time. Patients are likely to experience flare-ups in between intervals of remission or reduced symptoms.

The cause or causes have not yet been identified in either illness.

Treatments:
Ulcerative Colitis:
Most patients will be treated with drugs, including 5-ASA therapies (e.g.: mesalazine) and steroids, to control or reduce the inflammation. Suppressants of the immune system (e.g.: azathioprine) are used to maintain remission. Some people need surgery to remove the whole of the colon if their symptoms do not respond to treatment with drugs!

Crohn's Disease:
The drug treatment is similar to that for Ulcerative Colitis (above). In addition, various antibiotics can be used, and a new range of drugs are being introduced called monoclonal antibodies (e.g.: infliximab - Back again to all the *........mabs!). Crohn’s Disease can also be helped by special liquid feeds which rest the bowel. Surgery may be required to remove narrowed or damaged parts of the intestine.

For both illnesses:
UC and Crohn’s are relapsing, remitting conditions. (Please note the similarity of terminology to MS terminology!) Most patients remain under hospital follow-up. Urgent consultation or hospital admission may be required for ‘flare-ups’
There is no cure for UC or Crohn’s at present (Again, please note the similarity with MS) but drug treatment may control the disease in most cases.

Comment:
It is imperative that patients attend for a full Cranio-dental and Skeletal symmetry evaluation to avoid these chronic conditions which play absolute havoc on the lives of the sufferers. Please read the testimonials under Crohn's disease on these pages.

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