Signs & Symptoms

Understanding Crohn’s disease – Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Understanding Crohn’s disease – Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It primarily targets the lower part of the small intestine, also called the ileum, but can affect any area in the gut from the mouth to the anus. Both men and women are equally susceptible to the disease, and it is commonly observed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. Read on to learn more about Crohn’s disease.

Signs and symptoms

Crohn’s is a chronic disease, and patients often experience periods of severe symptoms, also called flare-ups, followed by periods of no symptoms, or remission. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, and tend to worsen over time. They can develop suddenly and dramatically in rare cases. Some early symptoms of Crohn’s disease may include the following.

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloody stools
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Reduce appetite and weight loss
  • Mouth sores
  • Rectal bleeding and anal fissures

As the disease progresses, people may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Joint inflammation (Arthritis)
  • Eye inflammation (Uveitis)
  • Skin rash and inflammation
  • Liver or bile duct inflammation
  • Delayed growth and development in children

Causes and risk factors

The causes of Crohn’s disease are not yet fully understood. However, factors such as genetics, a malfunctioning immune system, and the environment seem to play a role in its development. A healthy person’s immune system attacks viruses, bacteria, and other foreign microorganisms. But in some people, harmless microorganisms are mistaken for foreign invaders, triggering a response from the immune system. This causes chronic inflammation, which leads to ulcerations and bowel injury. However, researchers are unclear whether this response causes Crohn’s disease.
Genetics is one of the biggest risk factors for Crohn’s disease. Most people are likely to develop the disease at some point if they have a parent with the disease. Another common risk factor for the condition is cigarette smoking, which doubles an individual’s risk for developing the condition.

Diagnosis
Unfortunately, there is no single test that can conclude whether a person has Crohn’s disease. Doctors tend to use the elimination method to arrive at a conclusion for the symptoms. Some of the tests and procedures that may help in the diagnosis include:

  • Blood test: This can help detect problems like anemia and inflammation.
  • Stool test: This is to find out if there is any blood in the digestive tract.
  • Endoscopy: It gives a better image of the gastrointestinal tract and intestine.
  • Biopsy: In this, a tissue sample is taken during the endoscopy for a closer examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

Other tests like CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays can also be performed to understand the problem better.

Treatment

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease yet, but its symptoms can be managed. The goal of the treatment is to control inflammation, correct nutritional imbalance, and decrease the intensity and frequency of the flare-ups. The procedure varies from individual to individual, depending on various factors. But, most treatments include the use of medications, changes in diet and nutrition, and maybe even surgery to repair or remove the affected area of the gastrointestinal tract.

  • Medications: These are aimed at suppressing the immune system’s response so that it does not cause inflammation and give rise to the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Medications can also help extend the periods of remission. Some common medications used to treat Crohn’s include anti-inflammatory, and anti-diarrheal medications, antibiotics, and corticosteroids.
  • Dietary changes: Although Crohn’s disease is not caused by specific foods, some foods can trigger the symptoms, while some others can help subside them. So, a change in diet is crucial for people with the disease. Patients who are lactose intolerant are often recommended to limit the consumption of dairy products. If an individual has Crohn’s disease of the small intestine, they may be advised to eat low-fat food for better digestion. Also, high-fiber foods can make the symptoms worse, so they must be avoided.
  • Surgery: If medications and lifestyle changes do not provide significant relief, surgery becomes necessary. It won’t cure the disease, but can remove the damaged portions of the gastrointestinal tract to ease the symptoms.

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