What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the intestines and colon.
Causes:
The cause is unknown but studies have shown it may result from inherited genes, environmental factors or the body's immune system reacts to a virus or a bacteria. Crohn's patients tend to have abnormalities of the immune system, but it is unknown if these abnormalities are a cause or
result of the disease.
Symptoms and Potential Complications:
- Blockage of the intestine is a huge factor. This occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. It may also cause sores, or ulcers, that go through the affected area into surrounding tissues such as the bladder or skin.
- Nutritional deficiencies of proteins, calories and vitamins
- Arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, ulcers, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system.
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Persistent Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
How does it effect the intestines:
It causes small crater–like areas on the inside surface of the bowel. After time, the erosion's become deeper and larger and cause scarring and stiffness of the bowel. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the wall of the bowel, and bacteria from within the bowel can spread to infect organs and the surrounding abdominal cavity. When the intestine is obstructed, digesting food, fluid and gas from the stomach and the small intestine cannot pass into the colon. The symptoms of small intestinal obstruction are severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention. Deep ulcers can also puncture holes in the walls of the small intestine and the colon, and create a tunnel between the intestine and organs. If the ulcer tunnel reaches an empty space inside the abdominal cavity, a collection of infected pus is formed. Patients with abdominal abscesses can develop tender abdominal masses, high fevers, and abdominal pain.
Treatment
Although there is yet to be a cure for Crohn's Disease many patients are put on any of the following:
Aminosalicylates: a class of anti-inflammatory drugs typically used to treat mild to moderate disease.
Corticosteroids: steroids are used typically for moderate to severe disease.
Immune modifiers: used especially for patients with moderate to severe disease and those who are steroid dependant.
Antibiotics: may be used to treat fistulas and other infectious complications of Crohn's disease.
