Crohn's Disease
Other names: Granulomatous Colitis, Regional Enteritis
Crohn's Disease is one of the autoimmune
diseases considered to be an Inflammatory Bowel disease
(autoimmune diseases of the digestive system) and
can attack any part of the digestive system from the
mouth to the anus. Crohn's Disease is also not limited
to just the digestive track and it can affect other
organs and tissues.
Crohn's Disease causes inflammation of the digestive
system. The inflammation causes diarrhea, abdominal
pain, ulcers and other digestive ailments. In many
cases, Crohn's can go undiagnosed for years because
symptoms may come and go on their own. Crohn's can
affect areas outside the digestive system, causing
fatigue, arthritis, eye inflammation and skin disorders.
In children, Crohn's disease can cause stunted growth
and failure to thrive.
Left untreated, Crohn's Diseases can cause major
damage to the intestines and other areas of the digestive
tract, including narrowing of the bowels, penetration
of the bowels, malabsorption, cancer, and infections.
Symptoms:
Abdominal bloating
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Bowel incontinence
Delayed growth in infants and children
Depression
Diarrhea
Diarrhea with blood in the stool
Excessive gas
Eyes sensitive to light
Headaches
Hives
Itchiness around the anus
Joint pain with swelling and redness
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Pain around the anus
Pain when moving eyes
Seizures
Skin lesions
Swelling in ankles
Swelling in legs
Thickening of fingertips
Vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis:
Diagnosing Crohn's Disease involves the family medical
history, history of symptoms, stool samples, blood
tests and additional testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Blood tests may show:
Positive Anti-Saccharomyces Ceravisiae Antibody (ASCA)
Positive Antibody to Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antigens
(ANCA)
Elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Low Blood Iron
Low Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
A colonoscopy and/or Barium Follow-Through (Lower
GI) may be performed to determine the damage within
the bowels and digestive tract and biopsies of the
bowel tissues may be performed as well.
Treatment:
Treatment for Crohn's' requires medication as well
as lifestyle and diet adjustments. Medical professionals
recommend that Crohn's patients not smoke as it can
cause flare ups. Diet changes may include eating smaller
meals more frequently.
In most cases, anti-inflammatory medications or Corticosteroids
are used to treat Crohn's. Immunosuppressant therapy
such as Azathioprine, Mercaptopurine, Methotrexate,
Infliximab, Adalimumab, Certolizumab and Natalizumab
are used to tame the immune system.
In severe attacks, Hydrocortisone may be used.
In most-severe cases, surgery may be required to
remove damaged areas of the bowels.
Prognosis:
There is no cure for Crohn's' and most people with
Crohn's' will have Crohn's the rest of their lives,however,
symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment.
Most people respond well and are able to live normal,
healthy lives but will be monitored.
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