Chrohn’s Disease Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome

pNew research from Switzerland suggests that post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) may cause Crohn’s disease./p pCrohn’s disease is an incurable condition that results in severe pain in the abdomen and gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea. Post-traumatic stress syndrome is a mental disorder that can develop after a person experiences severe trauma, resulting in symptoms such as nightmares, anxiety, moodiness, inability to concentrate, and increased risk for substance abuse./p pIn the new study by Dr. Roland von Kanel of the Bern University Hospital, 468 people with Crohn’s disease were tested for post-traumatic stress syndrome. About 20% had it, a rate about seven times more than the average population. Dr. von Kanel followed the participants for 18 months, and found that those who had the highest number of flare-ups from Crohn’s Disease also had the highest scores for post-traumatic stress syndrome./p pquot;It is evident that post-traumatic stress causes considerable suffering,quot; Dr. von Kanel said. quot;Gastroenterologists should be aware of the impact of Crohn’s disease on psychological well-being and the fact that this relationship is probably bidirectional.quot;/p pThis study appears in the journal Frontline Gastroenterology.br / nbsp;/p