What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease, also referred to as Irritable Bowel Disease, is inflammation in the lining of your digestive tract that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, malnutrition due to malabsorption, fatigue and weight loss. Left untreated, Crohn's inflammation can worsen and spread to deeper layers of the bowel causing severe pain and sometimes life-threatening complications.
What causes Crohn's disease?
An exact cause of Crohn's is not known; however, the condition sometimes runs in families (hereditary) and in those with an overactive immune system. Stress and certain diets can also cause an increase in symptoms but are not thought to cause Crohn's disease.
What are symptoms of Crohn's disease?
Symptoms of Crohn's vary depending on the area of bowel affected and severity of the disease and may include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Belly pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Mouth sores
- Reduce appetite and weight loss
- Pain or drainage near or around the anus
People with severe Crohn's disease may also experience symptoms outside of the intestinal tract, including:
- Inflammation of the skin, eyes and joints
- Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts
- Kidney stones
- Iron deficiency, called anemia
How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?
Diagnosing Crohn's Disease is generally done through multiple methods. Your healthcare provider will take a detailed health history and ask you about symptoms you experience. Lab testing may be performed to check for infection or anemia, CT of the abdomen to obtain a view of your bowel and/or endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopy or small bowel capsule to view and take biopsies of your bowel.
What are treatment options for Crohn's disease?
Treatment of Crohn's disease is dependent upon severity of the disease and your body’s response to treatment. Common treatments prescribed include oral anti-inflammatory medication including corticosteroids. These medications help calm the inflammation in your bowel and reduce symptoms. Some individuals require further treatment with anti-immune medications that help suppress your body’s inflammation response and manage symptoms. The goal of treatment is to achieve remission (no signs of disease) and limit further damage to your bowel.
Severe cases of Crohn's that do not respond to treatment may require more significant intervention including surgical removal of damaged bowel.