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Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Stages of Crohn's Disease
Key takeaways Crohn's disease symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. It's a progressive disease, but its stages are hard to determine because each person's condition progresses differently. The earlier you treat and manage Crohn's, the more likely you are to reduce your chance of developing more severe symptoms. There's no cure for Crohn's disease, but medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. This is why it's crucial to identify the disease when symptoms are still mild. Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It's considered a chronic condition, which means that you'll have it for your entire life. The exact cause of Crohn's is unknown. It most often develops in your late teens or 20s. Crohn's disease is marked by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The inflammation can appear anywhere in the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. What are the stages of Crohn's disease? Crohn's is a progressive disease that starts with mild symptoms and gradually gets worse. With mild to moderate Crohn's, you may experience diarrhea or abdominal pain, but you won't experience other symptoms or complications. You're able to move, eat, and drink as normal, and the disease has a minimal impact on your quality of life. In some cases, you won't even require treatment. If you have moderate to severe Crohn's disease, you may experience diarrhea or abdominal pain, as well as additional symptoms and complications, such as fever or anemia. If your Crohn's is severe, you might be in constant pain and discomfort, and you may need to use the bathroom frequently. That said, it's difficult to classify Crohn's disease into stages because people tend to experience ups and downs in symptoms. What progression looks like can be different for each person, and treatment can affect your outlook. How quickly does Crohn's disease progress? Over time, Crohn's can cause damage to the intestines and lead to potential complications such as strictures, fistulas, and abscesses. Stricture means that a portion of the intestine becomes narrower due to scar tissue on its wall. While there's no time frame for how long it would take for such complications to develop, there are risk factors that may speed up progression. These include: being under 30 years old having a history of smoking having ulcers found in a colonoscopy having the long bowel segments affected by the disease having anal inflammation having symptoms that go beyond the intestinal system, such as in the eyes, skin, liver, or joints having a history of bowel resections At diagnosis, 10% of people already have strictures, and an additional 15% to 20% will develop them within the next 10 to 20 years. Five types of Crohn's disease Progression may also depend on the type of Crohn's disease you have. These are: ileocolitis ileitis gastroduodenal Crohn's disease diffuse jejunoileitis Crohn's colitis Crohn's disease progression patterns The patterns by which Crohn's might progress are: Chronic relapsing: With this progression type, you typically experience at least 12 months of remission before experiencing a flare. Common symptoms of a Crohn's disease flare-up may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, blood in stool, and fatigue. Remission: Remission means that your symptoms improve or disappear completely. Various studies show most people will relapse within 8 years of diagnosis, with a 43% to 45% remission rate after 10 years. But if you stay in remission for a year, there's an 80% chance remission will continue for the next year. Improved and stable: This is when your condition has progressed to having no symptoms and has remained this way, though signs of the disease might still show up on tests. Chronic refractory: This means you continue to show symptoms without any breaks or remission. About 10% to 15% of people with Crohn's experience a chronic refractory disease course. That said, even different people living with the same Crohn's pattern might progress differently. Genetics, type of treatment, and surgery are also factors that may affect which disease course you follow. The earlier you treat and manage Crohn's, the more likely you are to reduce your chance of developing more severe symptoms. What is the life expectancy of someone with Crohn's disease? There's no cure for Crohn's disease, though many people can live fulfilling lives with long periods of remission. That said, although there's been an increase in life expectancy for people living with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), the life expectancy of Crohn's is still lower compared to those without IBDs for both males and females. When Crohn's causes complications, it can, in rare cases, lead to death. Common causes of death include cancer, heart disease, and infection. What are the early symptoms of Crohn's disease? In Crohn's disease, healthy cells in the GI tract attack themselves, causing inflammation. As a result, you'll likely experience a range of symptoms. Early signs of Crohn's disease include: frequent cramps ongoing abdominal pain frequent diarrhea bloody stools unintentional weight loss As the disease progresses, you may start feeling fatigued and even develop anemia. You may also experience nausea from constant irritation of the GI tract. In addition, you may start experiencing symptoms outside of the GI tract. These symptoms include: eye pain fever joint inflammation and pain red skin rashes and bumps mouth sores Early diagnosis is important to help prevent damage to the intestines. If you experience these symptoms and have a family history of Crohn's, you should ask your doctor for testing. How is Crohn's disease treated and managed? Medications can treat inflammation and stop your body from attacking its own cells. As your symptoms progress, your gastroenterologist may also recommend occasional bowel rest. However, not all doctors agree with this measure. A bowel rest involves a strict diet of only liquids for a few days. The purpose is to let the GI tract heal from inflammation and essentially take a break. To prevent malnutrition, you may need an IV. Talk with your doctor before switching to a liquid diet. Following this, your doctor may follow a special Crohn's diet and take supplements. You also may need to take pain medication. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), as these can make Crohn's worse. Instead, ask your doctor if you can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol). You may need surgery if your symptoms become life threatening. Around 67% to 75% of all people with Crohn's will eventually need surgery, according to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Surgery can't cure the disease, but it may help repair severely damaged tissues and remove blockages.
Independent Singapore
03-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'$50K in debt, no job yet, and scared I'll get rejected again cos of my credit' — 25 y/o Singaporean cries out for help
SINGAPORE: A 25-year-old Singaporean took to social media to express his worry that his poor credit score might once again stand in the way of landing a job. Posting on the r/askSingapore forum, he shared that he has accumulated about S$50,000 in debt, largely from credit cards and personal loans. And while he has consistently made minimum payments and never defaulted, his credit score has still dropped to 'EE.' 'I've got another job interview lined up (not banking, more IT side) and not gonna lie, I'm scared. Scared they'll check my credit and reject me again,' he said. 'It's eating me up. I haven't even started work, and I already feel like it's slipping away,' he added. The man added that ever since he was laid off in February, 'everything has been rough'—he lost his source of income, his mental health took a hit, and the debt continued to pile up. In an effort to turn things around, he said he made several lifestyle changes.'I've been trying to fix myself, quit smoking, hit the gym again, cut off distractions, just trying to get back on my feet.' See also Confusion clouds China's social credit system Despite these efforts, he admitted that the weight of his financial situation remains a constant source of stress. 'I just wanna know, do non-finance companies even check credit reports? Like gov, IT, healthcare sector roles? Or am I just overthinking?' he asked. 'If you've been through this or know how it works, please let me know. I just wanna make it out of this. Appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this.' 'Focus on doing well in your interview…' In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor advised, 'Solve the root cause of your debt issue first… Bought many luxury things? Time to sell them at a small loss and get some cash back. S$50K is not a huge sum, not life-changing. Can make it back one.' Another wrote, 'I think you worry too much, my friend. Focus on doing well in your interview. Most companies do not check credit scores except for financial institutions, especially for junior entry roles.' A third assured him, stating, 'Private companies have no access to your credit score. You're fine. It's only a concern if you are or were bankrupt. Not sure how they would even get that info either.' In other news, a woman was shocked to find a group of neighbours had entered her newly renovated BTO flat without her knowledge or consent. Among them were two children, a domestic helper, an elderly woman, and two other women. According to the woman's colleague, who shared the incident on the r/SingaporeRaw subreddit on Wednesday (May 28), the flat had just been fully renovated and professionally cleaned, ready for move-in. The woman and her husband had been eagerly anticipating starting their new life there, but were caught completely off guard when they turned up to find unfamiliar faces inside their home. Read more: 'The reno worker just let them in': Woman horrified as neighbours invade her new BTO unit Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Health Line
19-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What to Know About Treating Insomnia
You can treat insomnia with lifestyle changes, such as exercise, behavioral therapies, and medications. Your doctor can help you decide which option is best for you. Plenty of treatment options for insomnia are available. Good sleep habits and a balanced diet can remedy many cases of insomnia. Behavior therapy or medication may be necessary in some cases. It's important to determine whether or not an underlying issue or medical condition is causing your insomnia. Some cases of insomnia are a result of stress or some other emotional or physical condition that needs separate treatment. Many times, sleep patterns return to usual when these conditions are successfully treated. Read on for more information about what you can do to treat insomnia. Lifestyle changes Often, making lifestyle changes can relieve your insomnia. You might want to try: going to bed when you feel tired using your bedroom only for activities that don't stimulate the brain trying to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day reducing the stressors in your life that are disrupting your sleep You may also want to incorporate other lifestyle changes, such as: Avoiding smoking If you currently smoke, try a smoking cessation program. Nicotine is a stimulant that triggers insomnia and influences your sleep patterns. Ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs or products to help you quit if you're having difficulty quitting. Watching what you drink Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is a sedative that may induce sleep initially, but it can disrupt deeper stages of sleep that allow your body to rest fully. Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and soft drinks, are other stimulants to avoid. A 2023 review found that caffeine consumption can: decrease total sleep time increase the time it takes to fall asleep reduce sleep efficiency It's advised to avoid drinking alcohol at least three hours before bed and avoid consuming caffeine at least eight hours before bed. This may vary from person to person. Drinking too much of any fluid before bedtime can disrupt sleep with repeated nighttime trips to the bathroom. Exercising Regular physical activity for at least 30 minutes can encourage a good night's sleep. Keep exercising even if you don't see immediate results. A 2023 review found that exercise can help you fall asleep better and improve the quality of your sleep. This is because exercise stimulates the release of melatonin, which is a hormone that helps with sleep and wake cycles. Regular exercise can also help manage stress and improve mood. Maintaining a balanced diet Avoid foods that are difficult to digest, particularly if you eat them late at night or right before bed, as this can make it difficult to sleep. Instead, consume foods high in protein and essential amino acids. Some fruits, such as kiwis and cherries, also contain sleep-inducing antioxidants. Complementary approaches Complementary approaches include psychological and behavioral therapies that can teach you how to make your environment more conducive to sleep. Behavioral therapies are often conducted by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or another trained healthcare professional. Behavioral therapies may be as effective as sleep medications, such that therapies are often the first line of treatment for people with insomnia. Complementary approaches may include: Relaxation techniques Progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and breathing exercises are ways to reduce anxiety at bedtime. These strategies help you control your: breathing heart rate muscle tension mood A warm bath before bedtime, a massage, and light stretching all work to relax the body and could help you wind down at night. Cognitive behavioral therapy In group sessions or one-on-one counseling, mental health therapists can help you learn to change negative patterns of thinking. This can help you learn to replace worried or fearful thoughts with more pleasant, relaxing thoughts. This type of mindset is more helpful for developing healthy sleep habits. Sleep restriction Sleep restriction requires that the time you spend in bed is temporarily restricted, causing partial sleep deprivation. You're then more tired the next night. Once your sleep has improved, your time in bed gradually increases. Light therapy Some sleep experts recommend light exposure for people who tend to fall asleep too early at night or wake up too early in the morning. This helps adjust your internal clock. During times of the year when it's light outside later in the evenings, going outside for 30 minutes or using a medical-grade light box can help adjust your sleep patterns. Insomnia medications Your doctor may turn to medication if lifestyle changes and behavior therapies don't help your insomnia. Let your doctor know if you're experiencing symptoms of depression. This may be the root of your insomnia and will require other types of treatment. Talk with your doctor about a medication treatment plan if you have insomnia. Prescription sleep aids Prescription medications for insomnia include: Doctors don't recommend taking sleeping pills for more than 2 to 3 weeks, as they can become habit-forming. Dose and duration will vary depending on your diagnosis, medical history, and current condition. Some common prescription sleep medications, also called Z-drugs, include: eszopiclone (Lunesta) ramelteon (Rozerem) trazodone (Desyrel) zaleplon (Sonata) zolpidem (Ambien) doxepin (Silenor) estazolam (Prosom) triazolam (Halcion) suvorexant (Belsomra) These prescription sleep medications slow activity in the brain, which can improve the quality of your sleep. Other aspects of sleep that sleep medications can affect include: total sleep time waking up after falling asleep how quickly you fall asleep Sleep medications sometimes have unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. Make sure to discuss the side effects of any medications they might prescribe with your doctor. Also, talk with your doctor immediately about any side effects you experience while taking the medication. Over-the-counter sleep aids Many people prefer to use nonprescription sleep aid medications, such as antihistamines, to initiate drowsiness. But these shouldn't be used as a long-term insomnia treatment. Antihistamines can also reduce the quality of sleep and cause side effects, such as: daytime drowsiness dry mouth blurred vision People also commonly use melatonin as a sleep aid to fall asleep faster. Melatonin is a dietary supplement — not a medication — available at most pharmacies. While safe for short-term use, melatonin shouldn't be used in the long term as its safety hasn't been evaluated for long-term use. It's also possible to overdose on melatonin if taken incorrectly.
