CROHN'S DISEASE

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It is one of two diseases that are grouped together under the name inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other one is ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease may come and go at times. Some people may have long periods with no symptoms. The cause of Crohn's disease is not known and there is no cure. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with the disease. Crohn's disease affects men and women equally. It is a young people's disease, usually starting before the age of 30. Some people may not start having symptoms until they are in their 50's or 60's. Emotional stress does not cause the disease, but may cause the symptoms to get worse.

The inflammation is in the form of ulcers or sores. These ulcers go through all the layers of the wall of the intestines. Crohn's usually starts in the lower part of the small intestines and the first part of the colon. However, it may occur anywhere from the mouth to the rectum. The main symptoms of Crohn's are crampy abdominal pain in the right lower part of the abdomen and diarrhea. These symptoms usually happen after a meal. Other symptoms may include:

low grade fever, night sweats, and chills
weight loss
loss of appetite
rectal bleeding
anemia and
delayed development and stunted growth in children

Over time, the wall of the bowel may thicken and get stiff, then a bowel obstruction can happen. There may bloating and the diarrhea becomes constipation. Surgery is usually necessary. Surgery does not cure Crohn's disease. Sometimes it may not be active for a long time after the surgery. When it returns, it may be near the location of the surgery. Fistulas are other common complications. Fistulas are tunnels from the sores that go though the intestine wall into other organs like the bladder, vagina or skin.

Complications that may occur long term include malnutrition, osteoporosis or colon cancer. Other health problems that may be associated with Crohn's are:

arthritis
kidney stones
skin problems
inflammation in the eyes or mouth and
gallstones, or other problems in the liver

Some of these problems may resolve with treatment of the Crohn's. Even though there is no cure for Crohn's disease, some people may go a long time between bouts. This may seem like a cure to them, but the Crohn's usually returns. Medicines used to treat Crohn's help to control the inflammation and relieve symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medicines, and other medicines such as steroids may be given. It is important for people with Crohn's to maintain their weight and proper nutrition.

For severe symptoms, it may be necessary to rest the intestines, by not eating or drinking anything. When that happens, the person may need to be in the hospital to be given intravenous (IV) feedings. Sometimes antibiotics are given, and sometimes surgery is necessary. Many people who have Crohn's have one or more surgeries.

Some people may find that certain foods may cause a flare-up. Some of these foods are milk, hot spices, alcohol, or fiber. If these foods are not eaten, and a nutritious diet is followed, it may help avoid flare-ups. With proper medical and surgical treatment, most people are able to cope with Crohn's disease and lead productive lives.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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