Know more about Crohn’s Disease

Know more about Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It mostly occurs in the small intestine and the colon. It can affect any part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from your mouth to your anal canal.

Symptoms

• Long-lasting diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Belly pain and tenderness
• Rectal bleeding
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

Causes

There are many theories about the causes Crohn’s disease, but none of them have been proven. Researchers believe that Crohn’s disease is caused by a combination of these factors:

• Immune system problems
• Genetics
• Environmental factors

Diagnosis

There isn’t any single test to diagnose Crohn’s disease. This condition has many symptoms that are the same as other health problems. The doctor may use several types of tests to make a diagnosis:

• Blood tests help your doctor to look for certain indicators of potential problems, such as anaemia and inflammation
• A stool test can help your doctor detect blood in your GI tract
• An endoscopy may be done to get a better image of the inside of the upper gastrointestinal tract and a colonoscopy to examine the large bowel
• Imaging tests like CT scans and MRI scans gives more detail than an X-ray. Both tests allows the doctor to see specific areas of the tissues and organs of the body
• Doctor also extracts a tissue sample or biopsy, taken during an endoscopy or colonoscopy for a closer look at the intestinal tract tissue

Treatment

Treatment may involve medication, surgery, and nutritional supplements.

The main aim is to control inflammation, rectify nutritional problems and relieve symptoms.

Crohn’s disease cannot be cured but some treatments can help manage the disease by reducing the number of times a patient experiences recurrences.

Crohn’s disease treatment depends on

• where the inflammation is situated
• severity of the disease
• the patient’s response to previous treatment for recurring symptoms
• complications

Medication for Crohn’s disease

• Anti-inflammation drugs
• Antibiotics
• Anti-diarrheal and fluid replacements

Surgery

At some point Crohn’s disease patients may need surgery. Surgery can relieve symptoms that did not respond to medication or correct the complications, such as abscess, perforation, bleeding, and blockage. Removing part of the intestine can help, but it does not cure Crohn’s disease. In some cases, a colectomy is needed, in which the whole colon is removed. Most people with Crohn’s disease can live normal and active lives successfully.

Dr Raja Prasad
MS, DNB (Gen Surgery)
Sr Consultant – Dept of Minimal Access &
Surgical Gastroenterology
OMNI Hospitals, Kukatpally