What is Crohn’s disease?
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:
- Intestinal blockages
- Fistulas (abnormal passages)
- Abscesses
- Malnutrition
- Ulcers
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.
What symptoms occur if I have Crohn’s disease?
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:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
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.
How is Crohn’s disease treated?
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:
Medications
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.
Nutritional supplements
Crohn’s disease can block the absorption of vitamins and minerals, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Your provider treats this problem with supplements.
Dietary changes
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.
Bowel rest
During symptom flare-ups, your provider may recommend that you follow a liquid diet. This gives the tissues time to heal.
Surgery
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.
