Symptoms and Treatment of Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. It can develop anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

With proper diagnosis, treatment, and family support, those with Crohn's disease can lead happy, productive lives.

What Causes Crohn's Disease?

Researchers have not identified the exact cause of Crohn's disease. It's possible that a bacteria or virus may cause the disease. The lining of the digestive tract could become inflamed from trying to fight off these micro-organisms.

Crohn's disease tends to run in families. Studies have shown that about 20% of patients have a close relative, usually a parent or sibling, with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. People of Eastern European Jewish background may have a higher than normal risk as do those who smoke.

What are the Symptoms?

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain (usually on the right side), cramping, repeated bouts of diarrhea (with or without blood), weight loss without trying, and vomiting. Call your doctor immediately if you notice these changes:

Abdominal pain becomes severe
Repeated vomiting
You feel faint
You have a fever

In more severe cases, Crohn's disease causes symptoms in other parts of the body.
These symptoms may include:

Pain and swelling in the eyes
Arthritis-like pain in the joints
Kidney stones
Gallstones

How is Crohn's Disease Diagnosed?

No single test can establish the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Doctors start with a complete physical exam and history. Other tests include:

Barium x-rays of the intestine. In this test, you drink a white, chalky liquid that coats the intestine so the doctor can see it more clearly.

Colonoscopy. In this test, a thin lighted tube is used to look inside the colon.

Endoscopy- Just before the procedure, the doctor sprays your throat with a numbing agent. You then swallow a small, flexible lighted tube called an endoscope. This allows the doctor to see the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Sedation will be given to relax you.

Biopsy- A small piece of tissue is removed and analyzed for abnormalities.

People who have Crohn's disease may develop abnormal passages called fistulas.
These fistulas can tunnel through the intestine and spread infection into the bowel, bladder, vagina, rectum and anus.

Bowel obstruction is a common complication of Crohn's disease. Blockage occurs because the disease has thickened the intestinal walls, and the passage is too narrow.

What is the Treatment for Crohn's Disease?

Mesalamine is used to treat patients with mild to moderate disease, depending on which part of the bowel is involved. It is generally well tolerated, although some patients complain of headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Corticosteroids like prednisone and budesonide are used for severe active disease that does not respond to mesalamine. Prednisone has significant side effects including:

Mood swings
Anxiety
Depression
High blood pressure
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Increased risk of infection
Osteoporosis

Budesonide is more rapidly broken down by the liver and has a much lower frequency of side effects. Once remission is achieved, mesalamine is used to maintain remission.

Diet for Crohn's Disease

Drink plenty of liquids to combat dehydration due to diarrhea. Certain foods can aggravate symptoms. These foods include:

Milk or milk products
Spicy foods
Fried foods
Raw nuts
Whole grains
Fruits and Vegetables
Beans

Support Groups for Crohn's Disease

Symptoms such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating are so embarrassing that some Crohn's sufferers never want to leave the house. Pain and the side effects of medication can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Check the classifieds in your newspaper or ask your doctor where there is a support group in your area. Meeting with other sufferers of gastrointestinal problems allows you to share ideas with those in a similar condition. Families and caregivers are also welcome at these meetings, and can learn how to be more supportive of their family member with Crohn's disease.

The internet is convenient and provides a way for those who are too ill to attend a traditional support group, to join an online chat or forum. These online support forums are available 24/7, so if you wake up in pain at two o'clock in the morning, there is someone to talk to.

Teens with Crohn's disease can visit a website created for them by a teen with the disease. The website is http://pages.prodigy.net/mattgreen/.