Crohn’s disease often strikes between the ages of 20-30. Since Crohn’s can’t be cured, that means you face a lifetime of managing your disease, a task that’s easier with the support of the team at Advanced Endoscopy Center in St. Louis, Missouri. They offer exceptional treatment that helps you find relief from your symptoms and keeps your Crohn’s disease in remission. To get the medical care you need to stay active despite Crohn’s, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Crohn’s affects the internal lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing inflammation that can penetrate deep into the intestinal wall. This inflammation often appears in patches and can cause complications such as:
Though Crohn’s can develop in any part of your GI tract, it most often affects the area where the small and large intestines meet.
Compared with adults who have a healthy GI tract, people who have Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Crohn’s disease usually goes through cycles. You have active inflammation and symptoms for a time, then your symptoms go away and you have a period of remission.
During a flare-up, you experience symptoms such as:
The inflammation caused by Crohn’s can lead to symptoms in various parts of the body. For example, many people with Crohn’s develop arthritis, inflammatory skin conditions, and eye inflammation.
A physical exam, bloodwork, and a CT scan or MRI may be enough to diagnose Crohn’s disease. In some cases, however, your provider at Advanced Endoscopy Center may need to do a colonoscopy to examine the lining of your GI tract and evaluate the extent and severity of the disease.
Crohn’s treatment focuses on easing your symptoms and keeping the disease in remission. Your treatment plan may include:
Many medications are available to ease your Crohn’s symptoms. For example, your provider may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines, immune system suppressants, antibiotics, steroids, antidiarrheal drugs, or biologic therapies.
Crohn’s disease can block the absorption of vitamins and minerals, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Your provider treats this problem with supplements.
There isn’t one diet that works for everyone. Your provider works with you to develop a diet that fits your needs and helps reduce your symptoms.
During symptom flare-ups, your provider may recommend that you follow a liquid diet. This gives the tissues time to heal.
Removing the damaged area of your intestine doesn’t cure Crohn’s, but it can give you long-lasting symptom relief. You may also need surgery to drain an abscess or close a fistula.
To get help for Crohn’s disease, call Advanced Endoscopy Center or schedule an appointment online today.