Crohn’s disease is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes your intestines and digestive tract to become irritated and swollen. It is a chronic condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the food pipe to the anus, causing abdominal pain, weight loss, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, fever, and fatigue.
Researchers have not found a definitive cause for IBD. However, some studies suggest that it could be an autoimmune condition, which means your immune system attacks your healthy cells. Different risk factors for this disease include age, genetics, smoking, and appendectomy.
Although there is no conclusive treatment for Crohn’s disease, treating inflammation can help patients cope with the long-term impact of this chronic condition. The first course of treatment involves medications and lifestyle changes, which include doctors prescribing steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunomodulators. Advanced medicinal therapies are also available to reduce pain and discomfort.
Colon Transplant – The Last Line of Defense
The most promising and advanced surgical intervention for treating severe cases of Crohn’s disease is colon transplantation. This complex and delicate procedure involves the surgical removal of the most severely affected portions of the colon—areas that may be compromised by chronic inflammation, fistulas (abnormal connections between organs), intestinal blockages, strictures (narrowed segments of the bowel), or even perforations (holes) in the intestinal wall.
In place of the damaged sections, healthy donor tissue is transplanted to restore function and alleviate symptoms. By removing these diseased sections, colon transplantation can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups and may decrease the likelihood of future complications. Although it is not a definitive or permanent cure for Crohn’s disease, with proper post-operative care and immunosuppressive therapy, this procedure has enabled some patients to experience a greatly improved quality of life, often living symptom-free for extended periods.
However, despite its potential benefits, colon transplantation remains an exceedingly rare and highly specialized procedure. It is considered only in the most severe, life-threatening cases where all other medical and surgical options have been exhausted. One of the primary reasons for its rarity is the significant risk associated with the procedure.
Patients face a high likelihood of complications, including the body’s rejection of the donor colon, serious infections, and challenges related to long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Due to these risks, colon transplantation is typically performed as part of a broader intestinal transplant, which may also involve other parts of the digestive system such as the small intestine. The procedure requires a multidisciplinary team of experts and careful, lifelong monitoring to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patient.
How Is Life After a Colon Transplant?
Every patient’s recovery period is different. Some experience an enhanced quality of life, especially when they are on parenteral nutrition. With the development and discovery of post-operative care and immunosuppression, colon transplant has become a promising solution for Crohn’s disease.
Although individuals still need to monitor their nutrition and medicinal intake, it would still be better than living in constant pain and discomfort.
The Stress of Having Crohn’s Disease and a Colon Transplant by Alma Felix packs this journey into a concise book. In this candid memoir and self-help, Alma shares her journey of being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and undergoing an ileostomy that forced her to live with a pouch.
Alma says it was a tough decision that was much needed for her long-term well-being. Life after the colon transplant prompted her to adapt to many changes with resilience and faith. The Stress of Having Crohn’s Disease and a Colon Transplant documents this entire journey, including her hardships, secret suffering, and courage to help people living with Crohn’s learn about their bodies and find treatments that work best for them.
Walk through the healing journey with Alma Felix by reading her book on Amazon.
