Crohn's disease causes inflammation along the walls of the digestive system, most often in the small and large intestines. It is a chronic condition with periods of flare ups and remissions. Although the exact causes of the disease are unknown, it is thought to have some genetic factor and is found more often in women and in smokers. The symptoms of the illness can vary greatly among people, both in the frequency and severity of attacks.
The symptoms are caused by the inflammation of the wall of the affected parts of the digestive tract. When the disease flares up these become red and swollen and often cause pain. The site and severity of the pain can vary, but it is often felt in the lower right side of the abdomen and can be mistaken for appendicitis. Ulceration of the lining of the gut can occur and you will then see blood in your feces.
For most suffers, diarrhea is a common symptom and this can often contain pus, mucus or blood. People say that they experience a strong feeling of needing to go to the toilet but when they get there nothing comes. Unsurprisingly, during a flare up sufferers can be really very ill with weight loss, fever and tiredness. Their health can be further affected if heavy bleeding has led to anemia, or if food cannot be absorbed properly leading to vitamin and mineral deficiency.
Diagnosis of Crohn's disease is normally given after a number of tests and investigations have been carried out. If a patient has been showing signs of the disease such as weight loss, pain and diarrhea for three or more weeks, their doctor will normally take stool and blood samples, arrange for endoscopic examinations and barium x- rays, and may also have biopsies taken, in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Once Crohn's disease has been identified, treatment normally begins with medication. A group of drugs known as 5-aminosalicylates are the mainstay of treatment for people with mild symptoms. However, these may be ineffective in people with moderate or severe symptoms, and often steroids are then given, on a short term basis, to reduce inflammation and calm the condition. These are not used over the long term, because although highly effective, they do have unwanted side effects. In addition, other medication may be required on an ad hoc basis. For example antibiotics are sometimes needed to fight a secondary infection, or iron supplements used to treat anemia.
For a large majority of people with the illness, there may be times when medication alone is not enough. Sometimes a strict diet is required for a short time to rest the digestive system. Often people will require hospitalization and even surgery to remove a very affected part, or a blockage or abscess in some part of the gut.
It is promising to note however that research and development into the disease continue and there are hopes that new drugs will become available in the near future. Until then most people with Crohn's disease cope very well with the condition and the majority are able to lead normal lives.
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