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What is Crohn’s disease?
A chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that leads to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition..
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, malnutrition and fatigue.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis involves physical examination, lab tests and imaging tests to ascertain the condition and severity of the disease.
Facts
- Treatments can help manage condition, no known cure
- Diagnosed by medical professional
- Requires lab test or imaging
- Family history may increase likelihood
- Urgent medical attention recommended in severe cases
Know More
It can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus.
Crohn’s disease is classified into 5 types based on its location in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Ileocolitis: Affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the large intestine (the colon).
Ileitis: Affects the ileum (end of the small intestine).
Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease: Affects the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine (the duodenum).
Jejunoileitis: Affects the second part of the small intestine (the jejunum).
Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis: Affects the colon.
Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe and include:
Abdominal pain and tenderness
Feeling of a filled abdomen
Tiredness
Diarrhea, which can be mixed with blood, mucus or pus in severe cases
Constipation
Nausea
Weight loss
Fever
Rectal bleeding
Inflammation of the joints, eyes, and mouth
Causes
The exact cause of crohn’s disease is not known. The following factors play a role:
Family history
Ethnicity, for example, crohn’s disease is commonly reported in Jews and Caucasians
Autoimmunity: where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells
Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke or pollution
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves physical examination, lab tests and imaging tests to ascertain the condition and severity of the disease.
Physical examination to check for possible causes of the symptoms.
Low red blood cell count indicates anemia, and increased white blood cell count indicates infection or inflammation.
CT scan of the abdomen provides more details and helps in detecting any other underlying conditions like abscess, which X-rays might not detect.
Provides a detailed view of the inside of intestine.
To identify the sites affected and assess the severity of the condition.
Treatments
Treatment includes medications, nutritional supplements, and surgery, either independently or in combination. Treatment options depend on the location and severity of the disease.
Complications
If untreated for a prolonged period, severe inflammation and obstruction of the large intestine can result in:
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Fissure or tears in the lining of anus during bowel movements
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Fistulas or passages between the intestine and surrounding organs
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Ulcers in the intestine, mouth and/or anus
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Bowel perforation or holes in the bowel
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Abdominal distention or swelling
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Colon cancer
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Gallstones
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Kidney stones
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
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Is this a serious condition?
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Is it temporary or chronic?
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How long is the treatment duration?
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Will this lead to any other serious condition?
Nutrition
Foods to eat:
Eat small meals
Drink plenty of fluids
Include whole fresh foods in your diet
Include low-fat foods
Foods to avoid:
Foods that worsen your symptoms
Spicy foods
Foods containing caffeine such as tea and coffee
Limit dairy products
Avoid processed foods