CROHN'S DISEASE
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract anywhere from the mouth to the anus, although inflammation of the small and large intestine are most common. The inflammation of the intestinal tract can spread into the deep layers of the bowel. It can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, and many other symptoms. The exact cause is not known. Crohn's is more common in patients with a family history of Crohn's, so genetic factors may play a part. It is also believed that problems with the immune system may play a part. Most patients are diagnosed before the age of 30. All ethnic groups can be affected, but whites and Ashkenazi Jews are at the highest risk.
Symptoms may include:
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramping and pain
Bleeding from the rectum and bloody stools (dark-colored, "tarry", or with bright red blood)
Weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
Fatigue and a fever
Signs of dehydration (lethargy, sunken eyes, decreased urination, rapid weight loss or dry skin)
Sores in the mouth
Fistulas and other inflammation around the anus
What your doctor can do:
Ask about your symptoms and medical history
Perform a physical exam
Order blood and stool tests
Perform special X-rays or an endoscopy (use of a flexible fiber-optic camera to examine the inside of the intestinal tract).
Prescribe medications to decrease the inflammation and reduce the diarrhea.
Refer you to a registered dietician for nutritional counseling.
Treat complications such as bleeding and infection.
Recommend hospitalization when symptoms are severe. It may be necessary to let the digestive tract rest and have an intravenous (IV) line to provide fluids and nutrition.
Recommend surgery if the disease is severe or to treat complications.
What you can do:
Work closely with your doctor to determine the treatments that are best for you.
Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Let your doctor know if you are having uncomfortable side effects. Do not stop your medicines without talking to your doctor first.
Different foods and diets are best for different people with Crohn's disease. Foods you may need to avoid include caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), spicy foods, milk products, and raw fruits and vegetables. Talk to you doctor about which diet best works for you.
Try eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones.
Keep appointments for regular check-ups even if you are not having symptoms.
Contact the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation at 1-800-932-2423 or www.ccfa.org for more information.
What you can expect:
Crohn's disease is a chronic disease with remissions (times when there are no symptoms) and relapses (times when the symptoms flare up again).
Treatment can delay or control symptoms but there is no cure.
Complications may include severe blood loss, malnutrition, or obstruction of the bowel.
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract anywhere from the mouth to the anus, although inflammation of the small and large intestine are most common. The inflammation of the intestinal tract can spread into the deep layers of the bowel. It can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, and many other symptoms. The exact cause is not known. Crohn's is more common in patients with a family history of Crohn's, so genetic factors may play a part. It is also believed that problems with the immune system may play a part. Most patients are diagnosed before the age of 30. All ethnic groups can be affected, but whites and Ashkenazi Jews are at the highest risk.
Symptoms may include:
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramping and pain
Bleeding from the rectum and bloody stools (dark-colored, "tarry", or with bright red blood)
Weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
Fatigue and a fever
Signs of dehydration (lethargy, sunken eyes, decreased urination, rapid weight loss or dry skin)
Sores in the mouth
Fistulas and other inflammation around the anus
What your doctor can do:
Ask about your symptoms and medical history
Perform a physical exam
Order blood and stool tests
Perform special X-rays or an endoscopy (use of a flexible fiber-optic camera to examine the inside of the intestinal tract).
Prescribe medications to decrease the inflammation and reduce the diarrhea.
Refer you to a registered dietician for nutritional counseling.
Treat complications such as bleeding and infection.
Recommend hospitalization when symptoms are severe. It may be necessary to let the digestive tract rest and have an intravenous (IV) line to provide fluids and nutrition.
Recommend surgery if the disease is severe or to treat complications.
What you can do:
Work closely with your doctor to determine the treatments that are best for you.
Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Let your doctor know if you are having uncomfortable side effects. Do not stop your medicines without talking to your doctor first.
Different foods and diets are best for different people with Crohn's disease. Foods you may need to avoid include caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), spicy foods, milk products, and raw fruits and vegetables. Talk to you doctor about which diet best works for you.
Try eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones.
Keep appointments for regular check-ups even if you are not having symptoms.
Contact the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation at 1-800-932-2423 or www.ccfa.org for more information.
What you can expect:
Crohn's disease is a chronic disease with remissions (times when there are no symptoms) and relapses (times when the symptoms flare up again).
Treatment can delay or control symptoms but there is no cure.
Complications may include severe blood loss, malnutrition, or obstruction of the bowel.
