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Crohn' s Disease
Medical Questions » Crohn' s Disease
| Name: Crohn' s Disease |
| Also known as: Regional Enteritis |
| A chronic inflammation and thickening of the wall of the intestine that usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine (ileum), but may occur anywhere between the stomach and the anus. Usually affects young adults, and despite treatment, often continues for the rest of the patient' s life. When the intestine of these patients is examined at operation, segments of bowel from a few centimeters to a meter or more in length are found to have a wall that is several times thicker and much firmer than normal. May vary from a minor irritation to being a very serious disease as patients have episodes of relatively good health for months or years, then become acutely ill again. |
Causes of Crohn' s Disease
Unknown. |
Symptoms of Crohn' s Disease
Moderate to severe intermittent lower abdominal pain (colic), alternating diarrhea and constipation (with the diarrhea being more common), intermittent fever, loss of appetite, passing excess wind and weight loss. |
Tests for Crohn' s Disease
Diagnosis confirmed by a barium meal X-ray and follow through, or if the lower intestine (colon) is involved, a barium enema or colonoscopy. |
Treatment for Crohn' s Disease
Surgically removing the worst affected segments of intestine, and controlling diarrhea and pain with medication, followed by a high-calorie, high-vitamin, low-residue diet with calcium supplements. Vitamin injections are sometimes necessary if food absorption is very poor. Anemia, dehydration and diarrhea are signs of a poorly maintained diet. Antibiotics are given to treat bowel infections, and steroids to control flare-ups of the disease.
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Complications of Crohn' s Disease of its treatment
In severe cases the bowel may rupture into the bladder, vagina or through the skin around the anus, bowel obstruction may occur, as may bowel perforation and, in rare cases, death. |
Likely Outcome of Crohn' s Disease
No permanent cure. Even after extensive surgery, 60% of patients develop new affected segments of intestine. Although the mortality rate of these patients is slightly increased, most live relatively normal and long lives. |
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