1. Alternative treatments to Crohn’s disease
Jade wagman

2. What is crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune condition in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed when the immune system mistakenly attacks it
It is a lifelong condition and can affect anywhere in the GI tract.

4. Symptoms diarrhoea stomach aches and cramps blood in feces fatigue
weight loss
a high fever
Nausea and vomiting
joint pains
sore, red eyes
patches of painful, red and swollen skin
mouth ulcers

5. Common treatments

6. Steroids Reduce inflammation Start to work in days
Can be in taken orally
Can cause side effects such as weight gain, indigestion and insomnia

7. Immunosuppressants
Reduces activity of immune system to stop any more inflammation
Often used if steroids aren’t working
Can be taken orally
Side effects include higher risks of infection and liver problems

8. Surgery Used only as a last resort
The inflamed parts of the digestive tract are removed using keyhole surgery and the remaining healthy parts are stitched back together.
Done under general anaesthetic
Sometimes a ileostomy is needed

9. Problems with current treatments
They don’t always stay effective in the long term
Most people with Crohn’s end up receiving surgery
Surgery can have a devastating effect on quality of life
Especially if a stoma is placed

10. Alternative treatments

11. Antibodies
There are currently studies being done that have found a link between Crohn's disease and a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP).
It has been found that people with Crohn’s are more likely to have MAP bacteria in their system
From this it has been hypothesised that if an antibody to MAP bacteria was found the symptoms of Crohn’s may be able to be more effectively managed.
Studies have found a medication called RHB-104 which has been shown to reduce symptoms associated with Crohn’s significantly, however it is not yet available to the general public.

12. Stem cells
A relatively new study is investigating whether using stem cells to completely “reset” the body’s immune system will allow the current treatments for Crohn’s to work if they did not do so before
Chemotherapy and hormone treatments will be used to mobilise the patients stem cells, which will then be harvested and removed from their blood.
Further chemotherapy is then used to wipe out the body’s immune system
When the stem cells are reintroduced into the body they should develop into white blood cells, effectively giving the patient an entirely new immune system.

13. Fecal transplants
There are currently studies being done on whether restoring the body’s natural microbiome will help relieve symptoms of Crohn’s.
a fecal transplant can be performed in a variety of ways including a colonoscopy, a fecal enema or a nasoduodenal tube
A pill containing all necessary bacteria from the healthy stool is also being investigated
Results from studies so far have shown promising results but the treatment has not yet been allowed to be used due to the risk of the donor feces having a viral infection or microorganisms that while not harmful to the donor may be harmful to sufferers of Crohn’s.

14. Thanks for watching!